Planning permission has been granted for the development of the National Manufacturing Institute for Scotland (NMIS) at Netherton Campus, Renfrewshire. The centre will aim to transform engineering and manufacturing in Scotland.
The carbon neutral building will feature a heather-coloured façade, be about 1.5 times the size of a football pitch and include a skills academy, fully digitised 'factory of the future' and a collaboration hub. It will aim to support manufacturing and engineering businesses of all sizes and from all parts of the country and internationally to innovate and help businesses grow.
The centre is operated by the University of Strathclyde and supported by Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, High Value Manufacturing Catapult, Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Funding Council and Renfrewshire Council.
Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde, said:
“This is a major step in the journey towards revitalising our industrial base and in re-establishing Scotland’s international reputation for manufacturing excellence.
“The University of Strathclyde is proud to be the anchor university for NMIS and we look forward to working with industry partners to bring our world-class expertise and research to support skills development and economic growth.”
Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop MSP added:
“Securing planning permission is a significant milestone for NMIS. It paves the way to start construction of the new facilities which will deliver the research, support and skills to help manufacturers unlock opportunities in emerging digital technologies and processes.”
Kenneth Gibson MSP commented:
“NMIS will be an international centre of expertise where research, industry and the public sector will work together to make Scotland a global leader in advanced manufacturing and attract investment.
“It will be a boon to engineering and manufacturing across the west of Scotland and beyond.”
The new facility, along with the NMIS specialist technology centres - Lightweight Manufacturing Centre and Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre; the only High Value Manufacturing Catapult centre in Scotland - are key facilities in the manufacturing innovation district being developed next to Glasgow Airport, with Netherton Campus also home to the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre.
Construction is well underway on the district’s enabling infrastructure, funded through the Glasgow City Region City Deal.
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