Major benefits to C&W from new government plans

A business leader in Coventry and Warwickshire believes the government’s new Advanced Manufacturing Plan and UK Battery Strategy will have major benefits to bolster the area’s global reputation and improve skills.

The Advanced Manufacturing Plan has committed £4.5bn of funding, including £2bn for the automotive sector, to build and strengthen manufacturing in the UK.

The benefits involve the West Midlands Combined Authority Investment Zone, including the Coventry & Warwick Gigapark, to access funding to compliment the initial £160m Investment Zone funding package as well as capital grants.

There will also be funds from Research & Design grants to improve finance available for the electric vehicle supply chain, and £975m for the aerospace sector to 2030 which could help members of the Coventry and Warwickshire Aerospace Forum.

The UK Battery Strategy involves the Faraday Challenge and Coventry-based UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC), Advanced Propulsion Centre and WMG Energy Innovation Centre delivering some of the key drivers of innovation relevant to the battery sector.

Echion Technologies and Warwick Manufacturing Group have been awarded two grants as part of Project Dancer while Warwick-based Eatron Technologies and Solihull-based Hy-Met have also secured funding.

These announcements are featured in the latest SmartRegion report, which contains findings from research and engagements contributed by the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub, Coventry City Council, Warwickshire County Council, and other local and national business support organisations.

Craig Humphrey, Chief Executive at Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub, said the plans were a great opportunity for Coventry and Warwickshire to further cement its position as a global leader in the manufacturing and batteries sectors.

“The Government’s ambition through its Advanced Manufacturing Plan is for the UK to be the best place in the world to start, grow, and scale-up a manufacturing business,” he said.

“The benefits to our area are already being seen after the extension of the Made Smarter programme to improve digital skills and access to technology in manufacturing and engineering businesses which is very much welcomed.

“However, it is important that we see additional public and private investment that accelerates the growth and modernisation of the relevant automotive and manufacturing supply chains in the region.

“UKBIC has provided the platform to create highly skilled jobs and attract investment since it was chosen by the Government in 2019 to develop the latest car battery technologies.

“This collaborative approach through industry and academia in research and development is key to the UK having a globally competitive battery supply chain that supports the economy and the drive towards net zero.

“The £38m to upgrade UKBIC will include a secondary electrode line, an additional 800 sqm of flexible industrialisation space and the introduction of advance digital manufacturing, and £12m has been awarded to WMG at the University of Warwick and CPI at NETPark in County Durham to fund a new Advanced Materials Battery Industrialisation Centre.

“This is all tremendous news and will also, in turn, improve the skills of staff to a high level and boost the regional economy as well as lead to more innovation.”

Made Smarter WM

Made Smarter is a national movement to drive growth amongst UK makers and advance the UK economy. Backed by world renowned businesses and the UK government, it will improve the development and adoption of emerging technologies. Making a real, everyday difference to people from the boardroom to the factory floor.

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