The Minister for Business and Industry, Lee Rowley MP, visited the
Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry last week.
He saw the latest technologies that are being developed to construct the buildings of the future, in particular schools, hospitals, and prisons, using off-site platform-based construction. The minister has special responsibility for the construction sector, as well as advanced manufacturing, skills and infrastructure.
The MTC is a key member of the Construction Innovation Hub – a partnership of experts in manufacturing, digital, building performance standards and construction technology to drive innovation and technological advances in the construction and infrastructure sectors.
The hub brings together the specialist expertise of the MTC, BRE, and the CDBB (University of Cambridge Centre for Digital Built Britain. It is working to create better outcomes for current and future generations by driving the adoption of manufacturing and digital approaches that improve the delivery, resilience and performance of infrastructure.
The integrated programme explores how advancing digital and manufacturing approaches and value-based decision-making can improve productivity and economic viability of the sector while increasing its overall resilience for the future.
The Minister was also shown the MTC’s work in automation and robotics, laser technology, and electric motor research. He also visited the DRAMA (Digital Reconfigurable Additive Manufacturing Facilities for Aerospace) facility which support the accelerated uptake of metal powder bed AM by the UK aerospace supply chain, where he saw the very latest advances in 3-D printing.
The Minister also visited
the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre where engineering apprentices are learning vital skills to become the next generation of engineers.
Mr Rowley said: “I am proud the Government is supporting the valuable work being done at the MTC which is helping manufacturers adopt cutting-edge technology and supporting businesses of all sizes to thrive. It will help keep the UK at the forefront of innovation by adapting academic theory into practical solutions for industry, empowering companies to compete around the world by implementing the very latest technical know-how.”
MTC’s strategy director Neil Rawlinson said: “It was a pleasure to show the Minister our facility and the capabilities that the MTC has. Along with our Construction Innovation Hub partners, we are working to have a societal impact that will be felt for years to come.”