Advanced manufacturing includes the production of new processes and products that are based on newer and better technology. The concept includes high-technology products that brings in advanced technology and applies it to manufacturing.

The processes and products are more technology-intensive and efficient than traditional manufacturing products or services. Advanced manufacturing is the future, and various strategies are involved to develop and improve the product and service quality. R&D is an important factor for manufacturing based on advanced technology, and in the last few years the UK has been doing it right.

Recently, the UK started an initiative to develop advanced manufacturing districts which can bring together incubators, enterprises and research organizations under one roof. So far, they have been successful in creating the first plan for an urban center in Sheffield that focuses on advanced manufacturing.

Big Funding Boosts Manufacturing

The UK is getting huge funding for creating research hubs that explore new and improved manufacturing techniques across various fields. Almost £60 million funding has already been received from six different government funding agencies. The amount of funding received is proof that the UK has become the hub for manufacturing advanced technology. The funding was announced by Jo Johnson, Universities and Science Minister. The government funding which was possible through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) expects to draw together expertise from 17 different universities; also, more than 200 industrial and academic partners will be a part of it. The manufacturing industry will draw inspiration and advice for universities and industries to develop products for boosting the UK economy. There will be different hubs for different manufacturing fields and it will be led by Cardiff University, University College London and the universities of Sheffield, Nottingham, Huddersfield and Strath.

Investments Increase Manufacturing Capabilities

Jo Johnson has further said that such investments will provide the economy with a huge boost. The new products and technology based on latest manufacturing techniques will also open more business opportunities in the UK, helping them become more productive and competitive.

The investment and the urban centers will become a foundation for future manufacturing industries that want to explore even better technologies. The urban centers, when they become more developed, will be proof of the UK’s manufacturing capabilities and the new heights that they can reach. It will attract more investors, which in turn will generate more funding. More funding will automatically lead to more R&D and better product development.

Conclusion

The UK manufacturing industry received huge funding to develop advanced manufacturing technologies and products. The funding is going to help develop urban centers, which will be a collaboration of different universities and industries. The center at Sheffield, which is under development, will house some of the latest and best manufacturing technologies. In turn, it will help produce more advanced products and services. Overall, UK’s manufacturing industry looks very good at the present moment and it will be no surprise when, in a few years, the country will be ahead of the rest in terms of manufacturing advanced technology.