The National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), operated by Strathclyde Uni, has announced that it will open a new Ayrshire technology centre.

NMIS is working in partnership with North Ayrshire Council and deep tech innovation organisation, CPI, to help the country’s process manufacturing industries embrace emerging technologies and fast-track a net-zero future.

Targeting process industries include Scotland’s £9 billion oil and gas, £15 billion food and drink and thriving pharmaceutical and chemical sciences industries.

The Digital Process Manufacturing Centre (DPMC), located at i3 in North Ayrshire, will offer training opportunities, cutting-edge digital demonstrators, and access to specialist support on R&D.

Last year, the university announced it would work with North Ayrshire Council and CPI to future proof the process industries through support for digitalisation and data-driven manufacturing.

Keith Ridgway, Executive Chair at the NMIS, commented: “At the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, we’re re-establishing Scotland as a manufacturing powerhouse and doing it proudly as part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult family.

“Working closely with our Catapult colleagues at CPI, we’re leveraging our combined experience, expertise, and networks to deliver powerful solutions for industry. Opening our first centre outside of Renfrewshire also demonstrates that we are here to support manufacturers, wherever they are.

“From fish processing factories in Peterhead looking to become more resource efficient and cut costs, to Ayrshire pharmaceuticals businesses that want to explore data control and analytics to become more competitive, the Digital Process Manufacturing Centre can help. We’re delighted to be joining forces North Ayrshire Council on this vital new offering for the process industries.”

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Following the successful delivery of a series of specialist courses through the NMIS Manufacturing Skills Academy, the partners are now ramping up support through the new centre, which is set to open its doors later this year.

The new Ayrshire technology centre will be funded by the Ayrshire Growth Deal, Scottish Enterprise, University of Strathclyde, and CPI, and will be supported by ongoing membership income.

Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde, added: “This new facility demonstrates that NMIS is a truly national asset committed to supporting process manufacturing industries across Scotland.

“It is an example of the benefits that can be realised through academia, industry and government working together and will help high-value manufacturing companies across a range of sectors to take advantage of the ‘industry 4.0’ digital revolution.

“Strathclyde is proud of its ‘triple-helix’ approach to partnership working and we very much look forward to deeper collaboration with industry, creating jobs and skills, growing an innovation-led economy, and realising a net-zero future in North Ayrshire and beyond.”

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