The National Manufacturing Institute Scotland ( NMIS ), operated by the University of Strathclyde , opened its new flagship facility at the heart of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland ( AMIDS ) in Renfrewshire on 21 June 2023 . It aims to be “ a major stimulus for the country ’ s economy , skills development and prosperous , sustainable communities .” Scotland ’ s First Minister , Humza Yousaf , opened the new 11,500m ² operationally carbon-neutral campus and R & D hub next to Glasgow Airport .

“ It will support manufacturing , engineering and associated technology businesses of all sizes . Innovative R & D will help them to become more productive , tap into emerging markets , embrace new technologies and achieve net-zero targets . Scotland ’ s manufacturing sector employs over 179,000 people and is responsible for more than 50 % of the country ’ s international exports and 47 % of business expenditure on R & D ,” commented the NMIS .

The new facility will also be home to the NMIS Manufacturing Skills Academy , fully connected Digital Factory and publicly accessible collaboration hub . The Lightweight Manufacturing Centre ( LMC ), which is also part of the NMIS group , will relocate from its current base in Renfrewshire , splitting its operations between the new building and NMIS ’ s founding centre ( the University of Strathclyde ’ s Advanced Forming Research Centre or AFRC ).

Sustainable and digital technologies

“ Featuring a variety of technology zones dedicated to growth areas , the NMIS Digital Factory will include a food and drink cyber-physical demonstrator ; Industrial Internet of Things ( IIoT ) connected shop floor ; a factory command centre and a hub dedicated to helping manufacturers embrace the circular economy and extend the life

L-R : Scottish First Minister , Humza Yousaf , with NMIS ’ s Scott Brady and a collaborative robot ( cobot ).

of their products and systems . The factory demonstrates the vast potential of digital technologies in helping manufacturers to improve their products and processes in the drive towards a net-zero economy , while still increasing productivity ,” added the NMIS .

The facility features clean low-carbon solutions to mitigate its impact on the environment , including a large-scale rooftop solar array for electricity generation , access to a low-carbon district heating network and a rainwater harvesting system .

The Scottish Government provided funding of £ 75 million towards this development and has just published the first annual progress report on its National Strategy for Economic Transformation .

The march to Industry 4.0

Since 2019 , NMIS has helped deliver more than 150 research and development projects for 142 different customers and partners . It has upskilled and reskilled more than 1,300 people , placed more than 80 graduate trainees in Scottish manufacturing and

L-R : Professor Sir Jim McDonald , First Minister Humza Yousaf and NMIS CEO , Chris Courtney .

supported more than 100 internships . “ NMIS will play a leading role in creating Industry-4.0 capability by supporting industry in developing data , digital and artificialintelligence-led solutions that will attract major investment to drive local and national economic value ,” explained Professor Sir Jim McDonald , Chair of the NMIS Board and Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde

Chris Courtney , CEO of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland ( NMIS ), added : “ There is a real industrial demand for greener , innovative technology solutions that harness the power of digitalisation , along with the future skills that we all need to thrive . We will work with our industry partners , talented team and the wider ecosystem to deliver this brighter manufacturing future .”

NMIS is operated by the University of Strathclyde and supported by the Scottish Government ; Scottish Enterprise ; Highlands and Island Enterprise ; South of Scotland Enterprise ; Skills Development Scotland ; Renfrewshire Council and the Scottish Funding Council . It is also part of the UK ’ s High Value Manufacturing Catapult . n

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