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. The Northwest region alone is responsible for developing more than 100 types of aircraft.
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.
Key Assets:
The NorthWest Aerospace Alliance is one of Europe's leading industrial clusters providing its 750 members an integrated support structure their businesses.
The Aerospace Research Institute brings together all aspects of aerospace research ranging from advanced materials and structures to synthetic environments and autonomous systems.
The National Composites Certification and Evaluation Facility provides cutting edge test facilities for composites and composite structures.
The NW Composite Centre carries out pioneering research and evaluation in composite manufacture and design.
Plastic Electronics
North East England is leading the way with a technology that allows electronic circuits to be made using specifically developed semi-conductive materials in a a process similar to inkjet printing
The Printable Electronics Technology Center (PETeC) is a new design, development and prototyping facility. It provides help to bring new printable electronics products to market quickly by offering facilities and expertise that are rarely available in-house. 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
The Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus is a leading center for science and innovation based in North England. 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.
The Northern Design Centre is a regional focal point for use of design by North East England’s businesses and services. Located in the heart of Newcastle-Gateshead, Design Network North will be a catalyst for innovation, growth, and increased business competitiveness.
Design Network North will manage a range of resources and facilities within the building to promote opportunities for research and development, collaboration, knowledge transfer, and use of design and creative best practice.
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.
Advanced Engineering Industry News
2 Northwest England Companies Win Coveted Shingo Prize Bronze Medallion for Operational Excellence - 05/24/10
Achievements Made Possible by Strong Support of Manufacturing in Northwest England
Atlanta, GA (Vocus/PRWEB ) May 25, 2010 -- Demonstrating the expertise of modern manufacturing in Northwest England,...Read More
Liberty Electric Cars to create 250 jobs in North East England - 02/27/09
Liberty Electric Cars will begin manufacturing the world's first zero emission, electric 4x4s in North East England later this year.
The Oxford-based company has signed a memorandum of understanding ...Read More
£500,000 to develop pipeline technology - 01/07/09
University technologists are working on a new detection experts that could help resolve the gas pipeline problem in eastern Europe.
Debate is raging over supplies in the region, as Russia reduced gas...Read More
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
The market fundamentals are incredibly positive, and we anticipate substantial growth in bioethanol demand both in the UK and across Europe. This first facility in Teesside provides the ideal platform from which to establish our position. 
