A planning application has been submitted for the development of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) situated at the centre of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) in Renfrewshire.
NMIS is a £65 million, industry-led international centre of manufacturing expertise led by Scottish Government in partnership with its enterprise and skills agencies, University of Strathclyde and Renfrewshire Council. Operated by Strathclyde, as a national facility for Scotland, it is where research, industry and the public sector work together to transform skills, productivity and innovation to attract investment and make Scotland a global leader in advanced manufacturing.
The new energy carbon neutral facility next to Glasgow Airport will include a skills academy, a fully digitalised factory of the future and collaboration hub for manufacturers of all sizes and from all sectors to work together with research partners and the public sector to innovate and grow their businesses.
NMIS also includes two specialist technology centres – the Lightweight Manufacturing Centre (LMC), which was opened earlier this year by the First Minister, and Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), the only High Value Manufacturing Catapult centre in Scotland.
The application will now be considered by Renfrewshire Council.
Economy Secretary Derek Mackay said: “Manufacturing is crucial to our economy and is a sector we want to see flourish in Scotland.
“This is a notable milestone for the NMIS facility and given the importance of responding to the global climate emergency, I am particularly pleased the facility will be energy carbon neutral and it is great that the facility will lead by example and demonstrate what is possible.
“NMIS will deliver benefits for businesses across Scotland well before the building is complete including through the existing capability available at the Lightweight Manufacturing Centre which adds to the wider support available from our enterprise agencies to help companies improve their productivity.”
Strathclyde’s Principal, Professor Sir Jim McDonald, said: “It is great news that the plans for NMIS are progressing so quickly.
“Scotland has a vibrant manufacturing sector which is well placed for further innovation and growth. To achieve its fullest potential, it needs advanced facilities, resources and equipment, for use by highly qualified and skilled staff; NMIS will offer all of this.
“At Strathclyde – and across Scotland’s world-class universities – we have the drive, expertise and track record to support this highly collaborative venture and, with the NMIS partners, support the transformation of Scottish manufacturing.”
NMIS and the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre, in which Strathclyde is lead research partner, will be the anchor institutions in the advanced manufacturing district. The district is benefitting from a £39 million investment to provide the enabling infrastructure, funded through the Glasgow City Region City Deal. It is also home to the NMIS specialist technology centres.
Glasgow-based HLM Architects is leading the NMIS design team, which also includes Waterman Civil & Structural Engineers, Davie + McCulloch Building Services Engineers and Robinson Low Francis LLP Cost Mangers. HLM will also be providing landscape architecture and interior design services, while Turner and Townsend have been appointed as Project Managers under Strathclyde’s Framework Agreement.
Ross Barrett, Associate HLM, said: “The new NMIS facility is a hugely exciting project and we are really pleased to be working with all partners to respond to the ambitions for this centre. Our thoughtful design creates an innovative, flexible and collaborative environment where knowledge and creativity can be shared. Inspired by the materiality and colours of the Scottish landscape, this bold sustainable building sets out to create a unique character and identity for NMIS which will inspire and attract industry partners and academics alike.”
