AMP - Advanced Manufacturing Park

The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing celebrated its 10th anniversary by taking the manufacturing message to Westminster.

The AMRC's MANTRA lorry, a mobile showcase for advanced engineering, parked within the Parliament grounds, and welcomed a stream of MPs and other visitors.

AMRC member Rolls-Royce positioned the front fan assembly from a large Trent aero engine in front of Parliament. The Trent fan assembly contains a number of key components developed using new manufacturing methods pioneered at the AMRC.

The AMRC also presented its work at an exhibition within the Palace of Westminster alongside Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems and Boeing, and other research centres which are working with the AMRC, as part of the new High Value Manufacturing Technology Innovation Centre.

The event was aimed at highlighting the importance of high value manufacturing to the UK economy.

Professor Keith Ridgway OBE, co-founder and research director of the AMRC, said: "We were delighted to have the opportunity to visit Westminster and showcase the high value manufacturing which is going on in the Sheffield city region.

"We were grateful for the strong support of our industrial partners, local MPs and Sheffield and Rotherham Councils who attended the seminar and made the event such a tremendous success."

Professor Keith Burnett, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, said: "We're very proud of how the University of Sheffield, through the AMRC, is contributing to the advanced manufacturing expertise in the Sheffield city region. 

"Not only are we finding innovative ways to manufacture, we're also developing the skills of young people through our apprentice scheme. It was fantastic to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the AMRC by showcasing its fantastic work to key policy makers and I look forward to the next ten years."

Mr Paul Blomfield, MP for Sheffield Central, added: "I believe the AMRC's work is the future of UK manufacturing and it should be at the centre of our future economy. In setting up the AMRC, the University of Sheffield has made a massive contribution to the development of high-value manufacturing in Sheffield and the UK.

"I'm delighted that these events have shown off the AMRC's work and the potential of high value manufacturing to the country's key decision makers."

Members of the Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee tabled an Early Day Motion applauding the AMRC's success in promoting the development and expansion of high value manufacturing in the UK.

A short video on the AMRC can be viewed here: http://t.co/mBejn8wU