Run by High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult in collaboration with the Welsh government, the research and development-focused ‘digital factory hub’ opened in Baglan, South Wales, today (14 February).
Designed to “supercharge innovation in Welsh manufacturing” according to a Catapult announcement, the facility is expected to unlock up to £18m gross value added within five years.
The site is located at the Bay Technology Centre in Port Talbot and will be home to state-of-the art manufacturing equipment funded by the Welsh government. The facility is part of HVM Catapult’s network of industrial research and innovation centres that link research, business and government to develop technologies that can help Welsh manufacturers achieve their digital and sustainability goals.
Catapult will also work to transform Wales’ heavy industry heritage into a new ‘net zero cluster’ able to capitalise on the floating offshore wind opportunity in the Celtic Sea, which could create more than 5,000 new jobs and deliver a £1.4bn boost to the Welsh economy.
Manufacturing is a cornerstone of the Welsh economy, contributing almost a fifth (18.4%) of its output, or £11.3bn annually, and supporting 147,000 jobs. Investment in research and development is only 40% of the UK average, however. The Baglan hub aims to change that.
“Wales has a strong industrial heritage and more people are currently employed in manufacturing than any other single sector in Wales. This new digital factory hub has the potential to supercharge the future of high value manufacturing here,” said Rebecca Evans, cabinet secretary for the economy in the Welsh government, which contributed £1.5m of innovation funding.
The new facility will initially focus on the estimated 100 medium-sized enterprises that do not currently engage in R&D activities in the area. It is supported by Warwick Manufacturing Group and the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre.