Alicona, which specialises in high-resolution optical measurement, has joined the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry. The Austrian company, which has facilities in Germany, North America, France and South Korea, has its UK headquarters in Sevenoaks, Kent.

MTC chief executive Clive Hickman said: “Alicona has an international reputation and will add to the MTC’s resources in the field of detailed metrology. It will also allow Alicona access to the expertise and capabilities of our engineers and technicians.”

Brian Kyte of Alicona said: “We are very pleased to become part of the MTC and to be able to play such a role in the advancement of micro-geometry measurement. We are particularly excited about its use in additive manufacturing, which is a key market for us. Generally, we see that being involved in the Government’s Catapult centres is a major asset to our business, and we look forward to working with the engineers at the MTC.”

The MTC opened in 2011; it was founded by the universities of Birmingham, Loughborough and Nottingham, as well as TWI Ltd.