Businesses across Ayrshire’s manufacturing sector will soon have access to state-of-the-art facilities and digital expertise, as the Digital Process Manufacturing Centre (DPMC) at the i3 campus nears completion.
From automation and robots to artificial intelligence (AI), virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR), digital data management, 5G networks and cybersecurity, the centre will allow companies of all sizes to access the latest technologies to support next-generation manufacturing.
Its partners have assessed the genuine requirements of businesses operating within the process manufacturing industries and positioned the DPMC to help them to continue to thrive, embracing emerging technologies and securing Scotland’s position at the forefront of advanced manufacturing. A range of support for digitalisation and data-driven manufacturing will be on offer to help boost efficiencies and sustainability.
Located at the Booth Welsh manufacturing space at i3, the centre is a collaboration between North Ayrshire Council, the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) – operated by the University of Strathclyde and CPI, a fellow High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult Centre A team of engineers and researchers will provide hands-on support, training opportunities and access to cutting-edge digital demonstrators.
Ahead of the centre opening its doors, Councillor Tony Gurney of North Ayrshire Council, said: “North Ayrshire has a strong industrial heritage in manufacturing and this centre will help to transform and modernise our business base. Manufacturing jobs make up a higher-than-average proportion of jobs in North Ayrshire. It is therefore vital that we target resources, skills and expertise toward this sector to future-proof jobs and ensure our young people have sustainable employment opportunities in the future.
“We have created strong partnerships with NMIS and CPI which will bring technical expertise and academic research and innovation right into the heart of North Ayrshire, offering an unparalleled level of digital and data support for businesses in Ayrshire that will help to accelerate their future growth.
“Many people in North Ayrshire are employed in manufacturing roles and the team behind the centre recognises the importance of the sector in helping local communities to thrive. As well as providing a skills boost to the companies and workforce of today, the DPMC also aims to lay a firm foundation for the next generation of talent coming into engineering and manufacturing.”
The DPMC and its sister project to build flexible advanced manufacturing space at i3, form part of the £251 million Ayrshire Growth Deal – a partnership driven forward by the Scottish and UK Governments, and the three Ayrshire Councils. The combined investment package at i3 sees £21 million worth of funding – £11 million from the Scottish Government; £5 million from the UK Government and £5 million from North Ayrshire Council and helps to secure Ayrshire’s potential as a world class region to do business.
Key industries set to benefit from the DPMC’s services and facilities will include pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, food and drink, chemicals, water, and fast-moving commercial goods (FMCG). Through access to skills and technology, businesses will be supported to embrace innovation to overcome challenges, enhance their performance and reduce their carbon footprints.
The launch of the DPMC follows the opening of NMIS’s new flagship facility in Renfrewshire and CPI’s Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre, both in the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS), acting as a magnet for advanced manufacturing in Scotland and across the globe.
For updates and to find out more about the DPMC, please visit nmis.scot/what-we-do/digital-process-manufacturing-centre
