Lancs leads the way

Lancashire will be leading the way forward for the latest in manufacturing support when the

opens in

this summer.

Four years of worldwide best practice research has gone into the development, with its centrepiece, a technology demonstration centre, providing a working showcase of manufacturing technology in partnership with over 45 global providers. Companies will be able to view the very latest technology, understand its capabilities, and then if appropriate, receive specialist support to implement it.

The centre includes an advanced training facility, to assist in teaching the new technical skills required by industry, including the 'Advanced Manufacturing Programme' - a new way of training the next generation of apprentices. Research from the UK's manufacturing experts underpins the development, which is part of the new Lancashire Digital Technology Centre.

It will provide facilities into applied research and new product development, focused on stimulating the next generation of manufacturers and their supporting supply chain. In doing so the centre will draw on strong links forged with higher educational establishments across Europe, including Lancaster, Loughborough University and Warwick Manufacturing Group here in the UK.