The Mayfair of manufacturing
26 March 2015A report by US economic experts which has hailed the area around the Advanced Manufacturing Park as one of the most desirable addresses for advanced manufacturing in the UK, has been welcomed by Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre executive dean Professor Keith Ridgway CBE.
The report has been produced by former adviser to President Obama, Bruce Katz, vice president of the Brookings Institution, and Kelly Kline, the Economic Development Director of the City of Fremont, in California."
The duo visited the area earlier this year and toured the AMRC.
Their report describes the AMRC as "an impressive array of specialized facilities, each dedicated to providing advanced manufacturing companies in the region and beyond access to industrial expertise, cutting-edge machines and equipment, and, ultimately, solutions to complex technological challenges."
Bruce Katz and Kelly Kline also highlighted the work of the AMRC Training Centre, describing the Centre as "a state-of-the-art training center, which provides apprenticeship opportunities to 250 individuals a year in an effort to bridge the engineering skills gap."
Their report adds: "Our visit to Sheffield convinced us that there is a strong base for a globally-significant innovation economy."
The report also supports plans to develop an advanced manufacturing Innovation District around the Advanced Manufacturing Park, Sheffield Business Park - the site of the AMRC's new Factory 2050 development - and the activities of local manufacturers.
Responding to the report, Keith Ridgway said: "We are delighted that Bruce and Kelly Kline took such a positive view back to the US following their visit.
"As they said, advanced manufacturing in mature economies relies heavily on continuous innovation and we have already established strong foundations for future growth and development.
"Our Factory 2050 development on Sheffield Business Park and this week's Factory 2050 conference at the AMRC, exploring the future of advanced manufacturing, demonstrate how we can build on those foundations.
"Plans to develop an 'Innovation District',' incorporating the AMRC on the Advanced Manufacturing Park, Factory 2050 on Sheffield Business Park and local businesses will accelerate that process and reinforce this region's role as the UK's leading location for advanced manufacturing."