The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
New institute to boost output of manufacturers in Scotland
Facility is designed to rejuvenate and develop nation’s manufacturing sector
A new £65 million international centre of manufacturing expertise is to be built in Scotland.
The bulk of the cash for the National Manufacturing Institute for Scotland – a total of £48m – is being provided by the Scottish Government.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed the investment during a visit to Rolls-Royce’s Inchinnan site.
A further £8m of funding for the facility, which will also be located at Inchinnan but will have a nationwide remit, is coming from Strathclyde University.
“This facility will be an industry-led international centre of manufacturing expertise,” Ms Sturgeon said.
“Research, industry and the public sector will work together to transform skills, productivity and innovation, attracting investment and making Scotland a global leader in advanced manufacturing.
“It will help companies right across Scotland embrace new manufacturing techniques, support cutting edge research and help to further develop the skills of our workforce.
“The manufacturing jobs of the future offer exciting and rewarding careers for young people.
“We want to inspire them to work in this sector and revive Scotland’s proud tradition of manufacturing and engineering.”
The new investment follows £8.9m of funding announced by the Scottish Government in June for the Lightweight Manufacturing Centre.
Economy Secretary Keith Brown said: “Manufacturing is a key industry, already accounting for 52% of Scotland’s international exports, and nearly £600m of Scotland’s spend on business research and development.”
NMIS will be delivered in partnership through Scottish Enterprise.
Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Strathclyde principal and vice-chancellor, said: “Today’s announcement marks the beginning of a new chapter for Scottish manufacturing, building on a great tradition of innovation.”