Study to boost Yorkshire and Humber's metals cluster
Study to boost Yorkshire and Humber's metals cluster
Keywords: UK, Business, Steel, Metals
Up to 100 businesses within Yorkshire Forward's advanced engineering and metals (AEM) cluster are set to benefit from a major new study to identify new markets in specialised steels.
Research to be carried out on behalf of Yorkshire Forward and the Department of Trade and Industry will allow companies to gain new customers at home and abroad to boost the region's £1 billion metals industry.
The study follows the announcement by Corus of the restructuring of its South Yorkshire operations to return the business to profit and concentrate production on high performance steels.
High performance metals and other materials are integral to the aerospace;automotive and medical devices industries and key to the development of the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP), a 40 hectare site in Rotherham, South Yorkshire.
Announcing the investment, DTI Secretary of State, Patricia Hewitt, said:"Success in manufacturing does not come from standing still. It comes from constantly innovating, investing in new designs, new materials and new production technologies. This study will help manufacturers to identify the new opportunities they need to take so they can stay competitive in the global market place".
The AMP, a high-tech hub for Yorkshire and Humber's AEM cluster is a joint venture with UK COAL, and is being promoted at this week's Paris Air Show to attract world-class, blue-chip investors. DTI Minister, Jackie Smith also attended the Paris Air Show and, championed British manufacturing.
Robert Heywood, Yorkshire Forward's AEM cluster manager said: "With 35,000 jobs in Yorkshire and Humber involved in the metals industries, many companies are involved in the processing of high performance metals and there are undoubted opportunities for them to increase their sales within these growing markets. The research will also enable Yorkshire Forward to identify gaps where further investment is needed to ensure the success of the cluster."
Mick May, Chairman of the National Metals Technology Centre (NAMTEC)established in South Yorkshire last year which will manage the study, said:"This is an opportunity to reassess the technical capabilities within the region to support the increasing focus on higher added value metal products. It will identify what further investments in resource capabilities need to be made to accelerate the application of technology and increase South Yorkshire's share of the global market place for specialised metals and alloys".
