Key representatives from industry, government and academia, marked a major milestone earlier this month for the
Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) in Belfast through a £100 million investment, which is expected to create up to 1,500 jobs across Northern Ireland, contribute £1 billion to the economy and train 300 apprentices by 2050.
The Factory of the Future is being delivered in partnership with industry, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and Ulster University as part of a wider £230 million transformational programme of innovation led by Queen’s and supported by the UK Government and Northern Ireland Executive through the Belfast Region City Deal. Almost £80 million of funding for AMIC has come from the City Deal.
Due to open in 2026, the 10,000m
2 open-access manufacturing and engineering innovation centre with capacity for 150 staff, is being built by Henry Brothers. It is set to reinvigorate local industrial potential and address the future technology and skills challenges faced by the region’s manufacturing sector.
AMIC will provide a specialised environment for advanced manufacturing, materials, and engineering sectors to access the latest digital, automation and robotics technology, supported by experienced engineers and underpinned by academic excellence. Following a recent recruitment campaign AMIC has grown its team of experienced engineers and support staff to over 50, to increase delivery of digitalisation and innovation projects for local manufacturing companies across a range of sectors.
Industry-focused innovationThis work builds on more than 55 years of Queen's delivering industry-focused innovation through the Northern Ireland Technology Centre (NITC), Polymers Processing Research Centre (PPRC) and Northern Ireland Advanced Composites and Engineering Centre (NIACE).
The innovation centre recently received Full Business Case approval from the Government, signalling confidence that AMIC can deliver on time and to budget following a rigorous specialist and peer-reviewed process.
Huge opportunitiesQueen’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Ian Greer said: “It is wonderful to mark this major milestone for AMIC starting construction at the ‘state of the art’ Factory of the Future. This is a tangible mark of progress which leads the way to an exciting future for manufacturing in Northern Ireland. We are harnessing huge opportunities through collaboration with industry, Government and communities through AMIC and our two other transformational Queen’s-led innovation centres, Momentum One Zero and iREACH Health, as part of a £230 million programme which will bring lasting economic and social benefits to the people of Northern Ireland and beyond.”
AMIC’s CEO Sam Turner said: “AMIC is already live and supporting economic growth and prosperity for Northern Ireland by creating high quality jobs and increasing inward investment through high value manufacturing innovation clusters. With core capabilities in digitalising manufacturing, smart design, sustainable polymers and composites, and smart nanotech, we are working with local businesses across the region to address technology and skills challenges.”
John Irwin, chair of AMIC’s Industry Board, which is comprised of leaders from over 20 local companies, concluded: “The manufacturing industry in Northern Ireland is hugely excited about the opportunities AMIC provides. The innovation centre will offer increased support to them to compete globally through access to cutting-edge technology, expertise and skills development and will support the creation of many manufacturing jobs across Northern Ireland.
“Northern Ireland is home to a diverse range of companies - from small start-ups through to SMEs and large multi-nationals - and each can benefit from the technology and collaboration opportunities that AMIC will provide.”