Business chief sees the future – in Rotherham

22/01/2010

One of Yorkshire and Humber’s leading business figures has praised the high-tech activity at the region’s Advanced Manufacturing Park, in Rotherham.

The regional director of the Confederation of British Industry, Andrew Palmer, said the Park – the only one of its kind in the UK – was a jewel in the crown not just of South Yorkshire but of the entire region.

“In fact, having seen the wide diversity of companies and nations represented here, it’s clear this is an international resource,” he said. “We’re lucky in our region that we have so many facets to our economy, but this mix of high-quality R&D and hi-tech manufacturing has to be one of the most important.

“This is the future. I’ve seen it, and it is clearly working for the UK.”

He was speaking after visiting several AMP companies, large and small, on a tour organised by Rotherham Investment & Development Office, the Borough Council’s regeneration arm.

He took in Dormer Tools UK, Fripp Design and Research, welding-specialist TWI Technology Centre (Yorkshire) and the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre with Boeing (AMRC).

Dormer, part of Sweden’s Sandvik group, is a world leader in engineering cutting tools. It officially opened its premises at the AMP’s Evolution development in January 2009. They incorporate a pioneering training room, a major research and development facility and an international export service to support emerging and developing markets. It employs some 45 people.

General manager John O’Donoghue said: “This is Dormer’s key site for sales in the UK and for markets around the world. We also house the composite drilling centre for all Sandvik companies worldwide and one of four global training centres, so this is a major operation.”

Fripp Design and Research provides 3D computer-aided design, support and rapid prototyping for companies and organisations including Boots, Rolls-Royce and the NHS. It reduces customers’ time-scales and costs across a range of operations and products, from highly conceptual packaging to artificial joints and heavily-engineered mass produced components in plastics and metals.

It aims to more than double its workforce on the park in 2010. Managing director Steve Roberts, who set up Fripp Design and Research with wife Sue and Tom Fripp, said: “Being located on the AMP is of strategic importance to our business as it is the UK centre of excellence for Advanced Manufacturing and associated industries and services – everything from rapid prototyping to rapid manufacture. Our mission is to take best practice in advanced manufacturing from industry and apply this within the health care sector, where we see plenty of opportunity.”

TWI is one of the world’s foremost independent research and technology organisations, providing industry with engineering solutions in structures incorporating joining and associated technologies. Its welding processes are among the most advanced in the world.

Membership Development Sector manager Mark Roughsedge said: “Since 2002 TWI Yorkshire has helped create and safeguard 1,297 jobs and £81m in turnover for companies in the region, through a series of Yorkshire Forward-funded Technology Transfer Programmes.”

The AMRC, which includes the Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future, is one of the world’s leading centres of its kind. Two events in December underscored its importance. It played a leading role with Yorkshire Forward, with help from RiDO, in winning the Rolls-Royce Nuclear AMRC for the Park, and providing expertise and composites that helped Boeing’s new Dreamliner aircraft take to the air.

It is not only pushing the boundaries in aerospace and other research but is helping produce Britain’s next generations of high-quality engineers. Projects director John Baragwanath said that its R&D skills helped companies such as Boeing, Rolls-Royce and Airbus massively reduce their timescales – in one case from 145 hours to 19, in another, from 54 to five. The AMRC aims to double its current 108-strong workforce over the next few years.

Andrew Palmer said: “I’ve been so impressed not just by the expertise packed into the Park but by the sheer enthusiasm among the businesses. With people and companies like these, the region’s future is bright.”

More information

RiDO is the regeneration arm of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council

For further information, contact:
Clark Herron
communications manager, Environment & Development Services
Rotherham Investment & Development Office
Phoenix Business Centre, All Saints' Church Yard, Rotherham S65 1AA
+44 (0)1709-372099; 07795-368617
clark.herron@rido.org.uk
www.rido.org.uk; www.rotherhamtowncentre.co.uk; www.rotherhamrenaissance.co.uk; www.rotherham.gov.uk
RiDO is the regeneration arm of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council