The MTC is part of Innovate UK’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult, helping industry and academia to bridge the gap between the research and development of innovative manufacturing solutions. 

First established in Coventry, the MTC recently opened an additional centre at the Liverpool Science Park in the city’s Knowledge Quarter. The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is now expected to approve a new £15 million grant to expand facilities further. 

The proposed investment would enable the MTC to develop an open-access ‘Digital Manufacturing Accelerator’. The Accelerator will comprise a digitally-enabled, rapidly reconfigurable ‘factory-in-a-box’ test bed at the Liverpool centre, as well as a new ‘digital factory environment’ at the Sci-Tech Daresbury campus in Cheshire.  

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: 

“The Liverpool City Region is already a hotbed of advanced manufacturing activity and we are leading the way, nationally and internationally. 

“The funding will have the twin benefits of delivering solutions for established industries whilst also providing a space in which innovative and responsive SMEs can develop.” 

Neil Rawlinson, Strategic Development Director at the MTC, added: 

“We are excited to be expanding our facilities and services in the Liverpool region, working with our partners and regional stakeholders to help manufacturers in the North West region stay competitive, improve product development and benefit from new manufacturing and digital technologies.”