A Bright Future for Advanced Manufacturing in North Wales

The advanced manufacturing sector in North Wales is at a critical juncture, poised for tremendous growth and innovation.  

What we’re witnessing in this region is not only a collection of companies that are pushing the boundaries of technology, but also a collective effort to ensure that smaller businesses can benefit from the advancements being made. North Wales has become a leading force in adopting cutting-edge technologies and, in many respects, the rest of the UK is playing catch-up. 

At the forefront of this transformation are the companies that are integrating high-productivity technologies into their operations. From aerospace giants like Airbus to the growing energy sectors such as hydrogen, these organisations are laying the groundwork for the next generation of manufacturing.  

Many of the tier suppliers in North Wales are directly connected to Airbus, a linchpin of the regional economy, but the opportunities are expanding beyond aerospace. 

As the hydrogen economy takes off, we will see tier suppliers transition to new markets.  

These businesses are not just relying on their existing expertise but are “flipping” into other industries such as renewable energy. The ability to pivot from aerospace to hydrogen or green technologies shows the resilience and adaptability of the advanced manufacturing base in North Wales. It’s about taking the existing high-quality production processes and transferring them to new sectors that demand the same, if not higher, levels of precision and efficiency. 

This ability to adapt is essential. As we look to the future, advanced manufacturing in North Wales will not only support the aerospace industry but will play a critical role in supporting the green economy, including hydrogen production and other renewable energy sectors. This means we need to ensure that the knowledge and technology driving these changes trickles down to SMEs across the region. These businesses must be empowered to adopt the innovations that larger companies are already implementing, creating a more integrated and competitive supply chain. 

One of the most exciting areas of focus for us at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), part of the University of Sheffield, is digitalisation. For businesses, especially SMEs, the first and most important step towards modernising their operations is understanding their data. The mantra we live by is simple: Let the data decide. 

Before jumping to automation, we need to ensure that a business has a stable process.  

Automation is an incredible tool, but automating an unstable process will only compound inefficiencies and errors. This is why digitalisation is the foundational technology that any business, regardless of industry, should adopt first. 

By gathering and analysing data from their manufacturing processes, companies can identify where inefficiencies lie, whether that’s in energy consumption, material usage, or production times. For example, reducing the cost of producing a part doesn’t always come down to cheaper materials – it often comes from smarter, more efficient processes. With data in hand, businesses can make informed decisions about where to invest in automation, ensuring that new technologies are implemented in areas where they will have the most significant impact. 

For SMEs in North Wales, the potential to engage with advanced manufacturing technologies is vast. However, these opportunities require investment in digitalisation and an openness to adopting new methods. By first stabilising their processes and understanding their data, SMEs can position themselves to take advantage of advanced technologies like automation, robotics, and AI. 

In many cases, SMEs are already operating within the supply chains of major companies like Airbus, but there’s a need to diversify beyond aerospace. As the hydrogen economy develops, SMEs must be ready to meet the demands of these new industries. This involves a focus on quality, precision, and the ability to pivot to new types of production. 

The AMRC is deeply committed to supporting this transition. Our role is to ensure that the technological advancements made by large companies trickle down to the smaller players in the supply chain. We work with SMEs to help them adopt the digital tools they need to gather data, analyse it, and make informed decisions about where to invest in advanced technologies. 

At the AMRC, we are proud to be part of this journey. By working closely with businesses, from SMEs to large corporations, we are helping to ensure that North Wales remains at the cutting edge of advanced manufacturing. The future is bright, and the opportunities are boundless. With the right investment in digitalisation and automation, the region is set to become a key player in the industries of tomorrow. 

About AMRC Cymru 

AMRC Cymru is part of the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) innovation cluster, which has a global reputation for helping companies overcome manufacturing problems, and is a model for collaborative research involving universities, academics and industry worldwide.  

It turns world-leading research into practical improvements for industry, helping to boost businesses’ productivity and sharpen their competitive edge, while saving time, money and energy. AMRC Cymru fosters collaborations and partnerships between industry, academia and government to deliver cutting-edge research, development and innovation for better products and processes; while driving forward sustainable manufacturing technologies for net zero, creating the vital step-changes needed in the low-carbon transition. 

AMRC Cymru’s capabilities include: artificial intelligence and machine learning, additive layer manufacturing, robotics, virtual and augmented reality, human assisted assembly, industrial internet of things (IIoT) and digital twins, advanced metrology, digital simulations, as well as design and prototyping and many more. 

Based in a £20 million state-of-the-art applied research centre in Broughton, North Wales, funded by the Welsh Government, AMRC Cymru is managed by the University of Sheffield and is a member of the High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult, a consortium of leading manufacturing and process research centres backed by Innovate UK.  

The HVM Catapult’s new digital factory hub, based in Baglan, South Wales, is a partnership between HVM Catapult, funded by UK Government, and the Welsh Government. The collaborative partnership site, at the Bay Technology Centre in Port Talbot, builds on the success of AMRC Cymru, to advance manufacturing technology innovation and support Wales’ green industrial transformation. It will house state-of-the-art equipment provided by the Welsh Government. The hub will be run by AMRC Cymru and the team will include digital, automation and design engineers. 

amrc.co.uk/cymru