Advanced Engineering in North England
Advanced Engineering is a growing sector in North England, led by a large cluster of nearly 1,000 aerospace and defense companies, offshore oil and gas industries, a significant automotive sector and a major presence of Process Industries. The region sustains its growth with strong universities, cutting-edge R&D capabilities and a smart, affordable workforce with high-level manufacturing skills.
- Our region has 1.7 million science and technology workers
- North England has the highest density engineering design community in Europe
- Labor costs are 15 to 30 percent less than in the London area
Aerospace
At US$15 billion each year, the size, scale and capability of the aerospace industry in North England is world renowned. Nearly 1,000 aerospace companies are located in North England, employing 20 percent of the UK's aerospace workforce, around 80,000 people.
North England provides a complete aerospace environment, encompassing research, concept design, rapid prototyping, design, sourcing, development, testing, analysis and full-scale manufacture. Specific capabilities include:
- Research, design and development, such as unmanned air vehicles, advanced airframe manufacture, flight safety, security and the environment, and laser depositioning
- Avionics
- Precision engineering
- Sheet metal work
- Computer systems and software
In addition, North England is the planned home of the Aerospace Innovation Centre (AIC), which will bring together industry and leading universities to share information and progress the aerospace industry. Our Northwest Aerospace Alliance (NWAA) represents more than 750 companies and stakeholders.
Plastic Electronics
With the development of the UK Plastic Electronics Technology Centre (PETeC), North England offers an outstanding new resource for plastics electronics companies expanding here.
PETeC bridges research and commercialization by offering end-to-end services for product innovation, including product design, prototyping and low volume manufacturing capabilities.
PETeC is the only place in the world that offers any plastic electronics company the ability to test, cost and scale-up their products. Access to PETeC reduces financial risk and shows potential customers how products can be made reliably and cost effectively. The facility features a 10,000 square foot clean room, up to Class 10, which will be used to develop pilot line processes for OTFT, OLED and OPV.
Computation Science
Computation science and engineering companies moving here benefit from Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus, [new window link: www.daresburysic.co.uk] a leading government-sponsored center for science and innovation based in North England.
The Centre specializes in Computational Science (with a staff of 100 PhDs), Accelerator Science (the Cockroft Institute is a national centre of excellence) and Advanced Instrumentation (the only major high-precision cleaning facility in the UK with regulatory approval to use trichloroethane technology).
Daresbury leads the UK in modeling and simulation technique expertise, as well as testing capabilities for the development of parallel code software for modeling/simulation/CAD applications. Science and technology start-ups with up to 75 employees can also find office and laboratory space on the Daresbury campus.
Process Industries
The Centre for Process Industries (CPI) is a major and influential center of excellence that focuses on advanced processes, functional materials, low carbon energy and printable electronics.
CPI develops products, procedures, services and businesses in the process and manufacturing sectors. It also assists companies with process innovation, consultancy, research and partnership formation.
Quick, Affordable Expansion
The North of England Inward Investment Agency provides the resources and connections for your advanced engineering company to hit the ground running. Contact us for a free, confidential Business Expansion Assessment.
Advanced Engineering Industry News
Materials technologies boost for northwest - 08/08/08
England's northwest is at the centre of a wide-ranging programme of investment in materials technologies that will help the UK meet its energy challenges.
The Technology Strategy Board and Engineerin...Read More
NORTH EAST SET TO BECOME LEADER IN INNOVATION AS CENTRE NEARS COMPLETION - 07/01/08
Building work at the state of the art Printable Electronics Technology Centre (PETEC) has been completed, establishing the North East as a global leader in innovation for the exciting plastic electron...Read More
European Centre for Aerospace Training officially opened - 02/08/07
This month saw the official opening of the first building to be completed on the £38 million Macclesfield Learning Zone, the European Centre for Aerospace Training (ECAT).
Steven Broomhead, Chi...Read More
