New AlliAnce will lift fActory output

A new initiative has been launched to power a multi-million pound hike in manufacturing output and jobs creation. The Smart Manufacturing Alliance seeks to link up manufacturers and education and skills centres including colleges and Peterborough’s university, to increase innovation, enterprise and skills to world beating levels.It is hoped the alliance, which will operate across Cambridgeshire, will see the value of goods and services provided by the sector, which already accounts for 13 per cent of the county’s economic output, rise by £50 million over a decade.

It is expected to power more job creation – manufacturers employ 40,500 people county wide.

The alliance is a joint venture between economic development company, Opportunity Peterborough (OP) and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority. Its work will be overseen by a steering group of local industry leaders and there will be six networks across the county.

The alliance’s key targets for the first five years are:

Create more than 380 jobs, both in manufacturing, related fields and supply chains.

Successfully nurture the growth and development of at least 20 manufacturing start-up businesses.

Support the creation of 96 new products, processes or services among its members.

Tom Hennessy, chief executive of OP Peterborough, said: “Manufacturing across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is extremely diverse. The mature supply chains and skilled workforce are a huge part of what makes it such an attractive investment.”

Austen Adams, chair of the BusinessBoard, left, and Tom Hennessy, of Opportunity Peterborough