The National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) has introduced a new network intending to bring together Scottish research across innovation, education and training. The formation of this network will allow for researchers across the country share manufacturing expertise and encourage growth and innovation.
The new network covers the whole of Scotland with capability partners such as Borders-based Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland, Tay Cities Engineering Partnership from the Central Belt and Seedpod, a £21 million investment in the food industry in the North East.
Its introduction will bring about easier methods of communication between manufacturing companies, allowing all to share expertise and advice.
NMIS is operated by Glasgow’s University of Strathclyde, with support from the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, High Value Manufacturing Catapult, Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Funding Council and Renfrewshire Council. It consists of a group of industry-led manufacturing research and development facilities that seek to help to enhance skills and encourage Scotland’s position as a Global manufacturer.
NMIS aims to:
- Increase productivity by reducing barriers to innovation.
- Stimulate investment and increase manufacturing competitiveness.
- Catalyse job creation and strengthen supply chain links.
- Inspire and attract talent and equip current and future workforces with the skills they and businesses need.
- Provide leadership, build collaborations and enhance capability to influence adaptation and exploit manufacturing opportunities to boost Scotland’s transition a net zero emissions economy by 2045.
- Work with manufacturing businesses of all sizes and multiple sectors, providing benefits across the whole of Scotland.
Following on from the dramatic effects of COVID-19, innovators hope that this new network will aid Scotland’s manufacturers in their recovery from the pandemic.
John Reid, National Manufacturing Institute Scotland CEO said: “The NMIS Capability Network makes it easier for companies in the Scottish manufacturing and engineering community to tap into and benefit from world-class expertise and capability.
“This is a crucial moment in time as manufacturers seek to navigate complex situations such as the climate emergency and post pandemic recovery. Now is a time to refocus, embrace innovation and seize the opportunities that so often emerge from challenging times.
“Sitting at the cutting edge of manufacturing innovation, the network partners each have a fundamental part to play in developing tomorrow’s manufacturing workforce, improving productivity, and helping companies, and people, in our community prosper.”
Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Principal & Vice-Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde, said: “The University of Strathclyde is committed to applying its research, expertise and sector-leading approach to partnership working with business, industry and government to help Scotland recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Manufacturing will play a central role in that recovery and through our participation in this new capability network we look forward to helping companies across Scotland to innovate, develop their workforces and to drive economic growth.”
Speaking about the positive impact of being part of the network, Stephen Good, CEO, Construction Scotland Innovation Centre, said: “Being part of this network will enable us to realise the potential across Scotland’s capability and, crucially, enhance our ability to provide support to our industry partners who are engaging in their own innovation journeys.”
The NMIS Capability Network includes CENSIS, Construction Scotland Innovation Centre, Energy Skills Partnership, Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland, the Scottish Institute for Remanufacturing, Scottish Research Partnership in Engineering, SeedPod, and Tay Cities Engineering Partnership.
To find out more about the NMIS capability network or to enquire about joining visit NMIS Capability Network | National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS).
All images courtesy of National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS)