The Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) (wmg.warwick.ac.uk )at the University of Warwick has created a cutting-edge research, design and skills infrastructure zone in its Advanced Manufacturing and Materials Centre.

This will focus on supporting the development of new lightweight steel products, as well as building an environment to develop the next generation of experts in this specialist field; it can be accessed by SMEs as well as global businesses.

The three-year project has received £1 million of Government funding (through the Coventry and Warwickshire LEP) to buy key R&D equipment and a further £1 million from WMG.

WMG’s Claire Davis said that 30 businesses would be given help in developing new high-value steel products.

“This project will create a range of facilities for companies — however large or small — in Coventry and Warwickshire to understand every aspect of the steel process and develop new products.

This will mean they can forensically analyse all the aspects of processing their products and can re-design if necessary to make them better.”

Jonathan Browning, chairman of the CWLEP, said: “The new facility will increase engagement with SMEs as well as world-wide companies and will provide practical high-level support in research and design to keep the UK leading the steel research agenda.”