The AMRC builds on Sheffield’s centuries-long history of metalworking expertise and innovation.
Since its earliest days, the University of Sheffield has been a world leader in metallurgy and engineering research, working closely with local industry to develop new manufacturing techniques and technologies.
At the close of the 20th century, Professor Keith Ridgway and local businessman Adrian Allen began to work with Boeing to apply Sheffield’s traditional expertise to new materials, focusing on machining research. The AMRC was established in 2001 as a £15 million collaboration between the University of Sheffield and aerospace giant Boeing, with support from Yorkshire Forward and the European Regional Development Fund.
In 2004, the AMRC moved into a purpose-built facility as the anchor tenant for the Advanced Manufacturing Park. The centre grew rapidly and, after securing a further £10m funding, opened the 4,500sq m AMRC Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future in 2008. The original building now houses the AMRC Composite Centre and Advanced Structural Testing Centre.
The AMRC now forms the core of the new University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Institute (AMI), along with the Nuclear AMRC, a joint venture between the University of Sheffield, the University of Manchester and leading companies in the civil nuclear manufacturing supply chain.
We are now growing further to create a multi-centre AMI Hub. Current developments include a 1,800sq m extension to the Factory of the Future for an expanded Composite Centre; a Knowledge Transfer Centre to present new manufacturing technologies to businesses; and a Training Centre which will take 200 apprentices a year.