GENERAL NEWS
Factory of the Future investment for NI
Construction has started on a ‘ Factory of the Future ’ at Global Point in Newtownabbey led by Queen ’ s University Belfast , which is key to an exciting future for advanced manufacturing in Northern Ireland . It is set to open in 2026 .
U . S . Special Envoy to NI for Economic Affairs , Joe Kennedy III , joined Queen ’ s University Vice-Chancellor , Professor Sir Ian Greer , and Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Councillor , Neil Kelly , on a site visit along with key representatives from industry , government and academia who are driving forward the ambitious project .
They marked a major milestone for the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre ( AMIC ) through a £ 100m investment , expected to create up to 1,500 jobs across Northern Ireland , contribute £ 1bn to the economy and train 300 apprentices by 2050 .
The Factory of the Future is being delivered in partnership with industry , Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council as well as Ulster University as part of a wider £ 230m transformational programme of innovation led by Queen ’ s and supported by the UK Government and Northern Ireland Executive through the Belfast Region City Deal . Almost £ 80m of funding for AMIC has come from the City Deal .
Due to open in 2026 , the 10,000m ² open-access manufacturing and engineering innovation centre , with capacity for 150 staff , is being built by Henry Brothers . It ’ s set to reinvigorate local industrial potential and address the future technology and
Above : Kara Bailie , Deputy Director of Strategic Programmes at Queen ’ s joins Councillor Neil Kelly , Mayor of Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council ; Joe Kennedy III , U . S . Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs ; Professor Sir Ian Greer , Queen ’ s Vice-Chancellor ; Sam Turner , AMIC CEO and John Irwin , CEO of Kiverco and Chair of AMIC Industry Board .
skills challenges faced by the region ’ s manufacturing sector .
AMIC will provide a specialised environment for advanced manufacturing , materials and engineering sectors to access the latest digital , automation and robotics technology , supported by experienced engineers . Following a recent recruitment campaign , AMIC has grown its team of experienced engineers and support staff to over 50 , to increase delivery of digitalisation and innovation projects for local manufacturing companies across a range of sectors . The innovation centre recently received Full Business Case approval from the UK government .
Queen ’ s Vice-Chancellor , Professor Sir
Ian Greer , commented : “ It ’ s wonderful to mark this major milestone for AMIC starting construction at the state-of-the-art Factory of the Future . This is a tangible mark of progress which leads the way to an exciting future for manufacturing in Northern Ireland . We are harnessing huge opportunities through collaboration with industry , government and communities through AMIC and our two other transformational Queen ’ s-led innovation centres , Momentum One Zero and iREACH Health , as part of a £ 230m programme which will bring lasting economic and social benefits to the people of Northern Ireland and beyond .”
AMIC is already live and supporting economic growth and prosperity for Northern IreIand by creating high-quality jobs and increasing inward investment through highvalue manufacturing innovation clusters . With core capabilities in digitalising manufacturing , smart design , sustainable polymers and composites , and smart nanotech , it is working with local businesses across the region to address technology and skills challenges . n
https
:// we-are-amic . com /
www . qub . ac . uk
www . belfastregion citydeal . co . uk
Group Rhodes expands workforce for growth
Group Rhodes , the UK-based OEM for the metalforming , composite forming and heavy ceramic sectors , has significantly expanded its workforce over the last six months to meet the needs of its growing customer base across its four divisions .
This includes six new staff for Group Rhodes : four for its Rhodes Interform division , four for the group ’ s latest addition , BJD Crushers , and two for its Craven Fawcett business . Most of these new appointments are within the company ’ s manufacturing and machining operations .
Mark Ridgway , OBE DL , Chief Executive of Group Rhodes , explained : “ We are excited to have appointed these new staff members to meet the needs of our expanding order book . The acquisition of BJD Crushers at the end of 2023 has had a positive impact on our Craven Fawcett and Hallamshire Engineering Services businesses and has significantly
Mark Ridgway , OBE DL , Chief Executive , Group Rhodes .
strengthened our materials handling and heavy ceramic operations . We have also secured major contract wins in the composite and metalforming sectors .
“ It is hugely satisfying to report that our business continues to evolve and adapt to new market conditions in its 200th anniversary year . Relevance and product differentiation remain our key drivers in an increasingly segmented marketplace ,” he added .
Group Rhodes recently announced major new domestic contracts with companies such as Ibstock plc , Zentia and Cascade Manufacturing , and an additional 25 % of the current order book rests with international sales .
Group Rhodes manufactures and markets its machinery from its factory in West Yorkshire , which it sells to both UK and global markets . The company has extensive capabilities including the design , development and manufacture of bespoke equipment and the provision of complete turnkey solutions .
2024 marks the company ’ s 200th anniversary year . Its sovereign capability has been previously recognised by Queen ’ s Awards for Enterprise in both the Innovation and International Sales categories . n
www . grouprhodes . co . uk
6 | ismr . net | ISMR July / August 2024