Page 51 - Real Rochdale Issue 09 Winter 2020

Boost for local

manufacturing

institute plans

Plans to create an Advanced Machinery and Tony Bannan, CEO of Holroyd and Precision
Productivity Institute (AMPI) in Rochdale have Technologies Group, has long campaigned for Photos: Malcolm Journeaux
been brought a step closer after being included an institute to meet the rising skills gap facing
in a UK-wide list of 17 projects. manufacturers locally.
MEMORY LANE
The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in He said: “Our ambition is for AMPI to become a
partnership with Rochdale Development practical, accessible and transformative With the Feel Good Festival cancelled this year we take a look back at
Agency (RDA), Milnrow-based PTG Holroyd resource for regional and national headliners The Bluetones (2009) and the Lightning Seeds (2010).
Precision, the University of Huddersfield and manufacturing companies. If your company
University of Salford, have secured £50,000 needs machines, new technologies, advanced
early-stage funding for the AMPI, which could processes, or integrated systems to make your
be located at Kingsway Business Park, through products, or if you need targeted innovation
the UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) and skills to improve productivity and
Strength in Places Fund. competitiveness, then AMPI will help you.”

UKRI’s Strength in Places Fund is a pathfinder The AMPI skills focus will provide a
programme investing in research and channel for local education providers to
innovation projects to boost research and develop a sustained cohort of skilled staff. They,
innovation capacity in specific areas of the UK, in combination with the more resilient and
driving economic growth in those areas. innovative supplier base, will make the region a
more attractive place for inward investment.
With support from Rochdale Council and
Greater Manchester Combined Authority, the “Rochdale is a forward-thinking and innovative
industry-led AMPI project will engage with manufacturing location,” said Paul Ormerod,
over 40 companies across the North West, with chairman of RDA. “We recognise that the
more being added nationwide, and will institute will be the catalyst that drives a
generate around 660 new direct jobs and 530 manufacturing technology revolution.
indirect jobs across the region.
“It will foster the innovation that will generate
This seed funding is crucial; potentially wealth, improve skills and deliver prosperity
unlocking up to £50m once the project has for Rochdale and North of England.”
been fully delivered.

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