Flagship centre is hub for manufacturing park

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Nov 3, 2006

Yorkshire Forward's Innovation Technology Centre was officially opened this week by triple Formula 1 champion, Sir Jackie Stewart OBE.

Yorkshire Forward's Innovation Technology Centre (ITC), the latest development on South Yorkshire's Advanced Manufacturing Park, was officially opened this week by triple Formula 1 champion, Sir Jackie Stewart OBE.

The GBP 9.75 million environmentally efficient flagship building has been developed to provide a hub at the heart of the Advanced Manufacturing Park for the advanced engineering technologies industry, providing high quality offices and workshops for up to 20 startup and growing companies.

The ITC is managed by the UK's leading operator of innovation centres, Oxford Innovation, and offers access to specialist technical advice and a business support programme for companies within and associated with the centre.

Six forward-thinking companies have already been attracted to the centre, including Bromley Ice and Snow Sport Technologies, which produces performance enhancing ice and snow sport products, and Life-IC, Europe's first business incubator specialising in assisting early stage clean energy technology companies.

Terry Hodgkinson, Chair of Yorkshire Forward, said: "It's the early years that are hardest for startup businesses".

"By providing support and accommodation for those vital first three years, we can help new companies to grow and develop".

"Many of the companies in the ITC will collaborate on new technologies to develop lighter materials, simplified manufacturing methods and advanced machining that will help to create a manufacturing future based on the knowledge-worker economy".

Sir Jackie Stewart said: "I am delighted to support the launch of this new centre which will help to boost the chances of success for the next generation of innovative engineering, materials and manufacturing companies".

"These companies also benefit from a prime location on the Advanced Manufacturing Park, with access to expertise in materials and manufacturing technologies from world-leading research organisations".

Dr David Kingham, Chief Operating Officer for Oxford Innovation said: "We are absolutely delighted to be managing the ITC on behalf of Yorkshire Forward".

"Our ambition is to develop a leading innovation centre that is a hub of entrepreneurial activity and a key enabler for the development of high technology in Yorkshire and Humber, building on the tradition of innovation and engineering excellence for which this region is renowned".

Professor Kristan Bromley, Managing Director of Bromley Ice and Snow Sport Technologies said: "The ITC allows us to punch above our weight as it provides a professional environment that supports growing companies".

"We benefit from high quality office and meeting room facilities in a superb location at the heart of the Advanced Manufacturing Park".

"We are thriving here, and we hope to be able to expand to a larger unit to accommodate our environmental test facility".