NMIS is a £65 million, industry-led international centre of manufacturing expertise led by the Scottish Government in partnership with its enterprise and skills agencies, the University of Strathclyde and Renfrewshire Council.
The energy carbon-neutral facility next to Glasgow Airport will include a skills academy, a fully digitalised factory of the future and a collaboration hub for manufacturers of all sizes, and from all sectors. NMIS also includes two specialist technology centres: the Lightweight Manufacturing Centre (LMC), which was opened earlier this year by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon; and Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), the only High Value Manufacturing Catapult centre in Scotland. The application will now be considered by Renfrewshire Council.
Economy Secretary Derek Mackay says: “Manufacturing is crucial to our economy and is a sector we want to see flourish in Scotland. This is a notable milestone for the NMIS facility and, given the importance of responding to the global climate emergency, I’m particularly pleased the facility will be energy carbon neutral.
“NMIS will deliver benefits for businesses across Scotland well before the building is complete, including through the existing capability available at the LMC, which adds to the wider support available from our enterprise agencies to help companies improve their productivity.”
Strathclyde’s Principal, Professor Sir Jim McDonald, adds: “It is great news that the plans for NMIS are progressing so quickly. Scotland has a vibrant manufacturing sector that is well placed for further innovation and growth. To achieve its fullest potential, it needs advanced facilities, resources and equipment, for use by highly qualified and skilled staff; NMIS will offer all of this.
“At Strathclyde – and across Scotland’s universities – we have the drive, expertise and track record to support this highly collaborative venture and, with the NMIS partners, we can help transform Scottish manufacturing.”
NMIS and the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre, in which Strathclyde is the lead research partner, will be the anchor institutions in the advanced manufacturing district. The district is benefitting from a £39 million investment in infrastructure, funded through the Glasgow City Region City Deal.