Renfrewshire Council Leader welcomes major investment in new lightweight manufacturing centre

Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson has welcomed the Scottish Government announcement to develop an £8.9 million specialist manufacturing centre in Renfrewshire.

Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson touring the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC).

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced today (Monday 19 June) that the Lightweight Manufacturing Centre will be established at the Doosan Babcock site in Westway, Renfrew.

It is the first step towards creating a National Manufacturing Institute for Scotland, helping place Scotland at the forefront of lightweight manufacturing.

The University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre, based in Inchinnan, will run the facility developing new manufacturing processes for lightweight materials for the aerospace and automotive industries.

Renfrewshire already boasts major manufacturer Rolls-Royce and further manufacturing research and development expertise through the University of the West of Scotland and West College Scotland.

Councillor Nicolson said: “Renfrewshire is already home to leaders in manufacturing and the announcement today to develop the Lightweight Manufacturing Centre is fantastic further investment in this sector and great news for the area.

“I’m sure it is a welcome boost for the aerospace manufacturing sector, with the Centre being developed on the doorstep of Glasgow Airport, which continues to play a pivotal role in the Renfrewshire, Glasgow region and national economy.

“This announcement is recognition of the expertise and environment Renfrewshire provides and we are committed to enhancing this further, bringing more highly skilled job opportunities to Renfrewshire.

“This has been a key focus of our Glasgow Airport Investment Area project – part of the Glasgow City Region City Deal – to facilitate the creation of a world class business and commercial location in the heart of Renfrewshire, connected by air, sea and land.

“It is a major project which will better link communities and provide the perfect environment for advanced manufacturing in Scotland to flourish.”