ADVANCED MATERIALS AND MANUFACTURING
With a long and proud history in inventing and manufacturing, Wales today is at the forefront of some of the most exciting new developments and innovations in advanced materials and manufacturing. WORKING TOGETHER
Benefitting from exceptionally strong links between business, industry and academia, Wales produces leading research projects in areas such as composite materials and low carbon technologies and a skilled, industry- ready workforce developed in response to the needs of industry. Productivity in the advanced manufacturing and automotive sector is higher than the equivalent sector at the UK level. Companies enjoy government and agency support, some of the UK’s highest financial incentives and established enterprise zones. The aerospace and automotive industries between them turn over more than £8 billion per year and both offer networking and support for business through Aerospace and Automotive Forums. Key strengths Professor Karen Holford, Deputy Vice- Chancellor, Cardiff University Partnerships between industry, business and academia are key. Here at Cardiff University we have a strong record of partnership between Airbus, the University and the Welsh Government. A great example is the Morgan-Botti Lightning Laboratory, established in 2011, where we conduct wide- ranging research into lightning and its interaction with materials and structures, with a particular focus on aerospace applications. This is really important now because of the new composite materials we’re using. Airbus can implement our findings in their manufacturing in North Wales. We have recently announced a further collaboration with the Airbus Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Analytics. When both industry and the Welsh Government identified a gap in software and programming skills, Cardiff University responded by developing the National Software Academy (NSA), offering innovative degrees. At the NSA we teach students in a completely different way, with a moving and developing curriculum responding to the needs of a really fast growing industry.
The students work in an office-based culture on projects that companies bring in, and when they come up against an academic skill they don’t yet have, we take them out into the classroom and teach them. By the time they graduate, they are not only industry-ready but also equipped with additional skills, such as project management, that they will need. “As academics, we hold meetings with people from all over the world. One thing I’ve noticed is that when people come here they say: “Wow! I didn’t know that this was here, I didn’t know that Wales was so beautiful.” It is lovely, from the coastlines, beautiful beaches, mountains and cities across Wales, academic visitors love the castle, the parks and are amazed Cardiff has so much to offer culturally. It is so close to London and the airports. It’s about accessibility – and having a great time while they are here.” Karen Holford
Automotive With more than £200 million investment committed in Wales in the last three years, and the exciting news that Aston Martin are locating in Wales and TVR are considering Wales for their latest developments, the automotive industry is celebrating growing success. Ford in South Wales has produced more than 20 million engines here, and Mid Wales is home to Riversimple’s first zero emission car. Development of Toyota’s latest hybrid engine in North Wales brings total investment at their Deeside engine plant to c. £700 million. Added to this, more than 150 components companies such as Schaeffler and Calsonic Kansei are based in Wales.
Tim Williams, Welsh Automotive Forum The automotive sector employs more than 19,000 people; we have 40 international companies, 100 SMEs and turnover of around £3.5 billion – so we are very important to the economy. And now, of course, we have Aston Martin coming and TVR considering Wales. We hold a yearly conference, Autolink, for people in the sector who come from all over. For businesses, Wales offers a tremendous package of support through the Welsh Government and support agencies: capital, technology, innovation and skills and a ready-made network in the 140 companies already in place, plus a fantastic location and great connectivity. As the industry transitions into new vehicles and technologies of the future, companies are working closely with universities on research and development. As legislation changes, transportation companies in Wales are well placed to take advantage.
IV WALES
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