As part of a pioneering collaboration between GM Business Growth Hub, Green Economy and Manchester Metropolitan University, eight Greater Manchester businesses visited Bosch’s HQ in Bamberg, Germany.  

The visit it part of the ongoing GM Hydrogen Supply Chain Innovation Challenge which aims to equip local manufacturers with the skills and capabilities needed to support the construction of hydrogen production facilities, an emerging sector expected to play a central role in the UK’s transition to low‑carbon energy. 

“Europe, especially Germany is further along their journey than the UK in commercialising hydrogen as part of its decarbonisation strategy. This visit is a valuable opportunity to understand both the scale of the opportunity and the challenges involved. 

“Greater Manchester is at a critical point in developing both our strategy and infrastructure in regard to Hydrogen. We’re helping businesses understand the possibilities of engaging and reassuring them that the support is there to help them throughout.” said Chris Manka, Manufacturing Advisor at the Hub. 

Eight Greater Manchester businesses were chosen to join the Hydrogen Supply Chain cohort programme.  

• Op‑Tec Systems Ltd – Industrial automation and control 
• Oldham Engineering Ltd – Fabrications 
• Kane International Ltd – Gas analysis 
• Industrial Switchgear Services Ltd – Electrical systems for challenging environments 
• Salt Separation Services Ltd – Water purification 
• Packaged Heat Ltd – Heat exchanger technology 
• RedGray Engineering Ltd – Specialised pipework 
• Endress & Hauser Ltd – Measurement and monitoring 

Bosch hosted a full day of briefings and tours, beginning with an overview of the site’s evolution from a spark plug manufacturer in 1939 to a global leader in automotive components.  

Delegates learned how Bosch’s automated production lines now produce a common rail injector every nine seconds, and how the company is applying its manufacturing expertise to the development of hydrogen electrolysers. 

The group toured the electrolyser production area, observing how Bosch is refining its processes to enable future large‑scale, automated manufacturing.  

Jonathan Glenn, Packaged Heat: “The BGH-Bosch Hydrogen visit was an incredible experience, meeting with likeminded individuals and companies all wanting to work collaboratively to achieve the same goal in bringing and delivering Green Hydrogen to the Greater Manchester area. 

“It was great to experience and see the level of engineering that goes into the manufacture of the Hydrogen Electrolysis stacks and the wider components that Bosch manufacture. 

“It has put into perspective the challenges we face in order to scale our business up to meet the potential demand”. 

Jamie Walker, Endress & Hauser: “My recent visit to Bosch, hosted by GM Business Growth Hub and Manchester Metropolitan University, was an extremely valuable experience. The day provided clear insight into how Bosch is advancing practical, hydrogen ready technologies and actively shaping the future of low carbon industrial solutions.” 

“The visit strengthened confidence in the consortium’s direction and underscored the potential of cross sector collaboration to drive meaningful progress. I look forward to continuing the journey with partners equally committed to innovation and decarbonisation”. 

The delegation also received a briefing on Germany’s hydrogen transition from Jorn Kleinelumern, Head of Hydrogen Metropole Ruhr. He outlined the country’s challenge of balancing hydrogen production with industrial demand, and the importance of collaboration between producers and end‑users to reduce risk and accelerate adoption. 

This session was followed by a discussion led by Amer Gaffar, Director of Industrial Strategy Partnerships at Manchester Metropolitan University, focusing on how Greater Manchester could position itself within the emerging hydrogen economy. 

The cohort will now work together to identify gaps in skills, knowledge, and capacity across the group. Understanding the full lifecycle of a hydrogen production plant will be a priority, alongside mapping potential early‑stage hydrogen use cases.