Seven global aerospace companies were in Northern Ireland last week as part of a visit programme designed to build on Northern Ireland’s reputation for excellence in the aerospace sector. Hosted by Invest Northern Ireland, the UK Civil Aerospace Cluster of companies were briefed about the capabilities of the local aerospace [...]
A lot has been said and written about the growth and existence of a remarkable cluster of materials handling companies in deepest County Tyrone. But, like a lot of his industry counterparts, Kieran Hegarty reckons there is a pragmatic explanation. “Yes, there’s an engineering tradition around here,” he says from his office at Terex Corporation’s plant on the [...]
When Gerry McNally says that the statistics around the polymers industry in Northern Ireland are impressive, he’s guilty of some understatement. And that’s not typical of the man. When it comes to enthusiasm for a chosen sector, McNally (Director of the NI Polymers Association) is a man with a passion for the business he’s [...]
Gavin Campbell is quick to brush away any interviewer concerns about the complexity of his subject matter. “It's true. People can be very wary of R&D and subjects like advanced manufacturing materials,” he says. “But, at the end of the day, it's about making products that are attractive and products [...]
It’s been quite a while since Matrix, the Northern Ireland Science Industry Panel, stepped up to the mark with a report on what is a key sector of the local economy. Back in 2008, it took a closer look at advanced engineering and advanced materials in separate reports. One member of the panel back then was Dr. Rob Hardeman, Technologist at Seagate’s [...]
Hawk Protection, a Tyrone based military uniform manufacturer, in Co Tyrone has landed part of a $49m (£32m) contract with the US Army to provide bullet-proof vests. The company is part of the Cooneen textile group and they will deliver the contract jointly with Bethel Industries and KDH Defence Industries. The deal [...]
The Northern Ireland Polymers Association (NIPA) is one of 5 organisations chosen to test new ways to develop skills for innovation in manufacturing. NIPA, in conjunction with CITB Northern Ireland, is collaborating to develop innovation skills between the polymers and construction industries in Northern Ireland. Both industries have complementary skillsets [...]
Do you work in Advanced Manufacturing, Materials or Engineering? We want to hear your thoughts on the future of your sector in Northern Ireland. It is just under 7 years since MATRIX completed its original Advanced Materials and Engineering studies. We are now undertaking a comprehensive review of the conclusions and [...]
Innovate UK and the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) are to invest up to £20m in collaborative research & development projects to significantly reduce the mass of road-going vehicles. The aim is to bring together and develop the best UK supply chain capability and expertise in the areas of advanced lightweight materials, [...]
World-leading engineering experts from Ulster University and the University of Cambridge have received £2.8m of funding for research into a carbon-based material that could transform the global manufacturing sector. The Ulster University research will focus on carbon nanotubes, electrically and thermally conductive materials that are extremely lightweight yet strong. The [...]
Newtownards engineering firm CCP Gransden has secured major funding under a UK-wide aerospace initiative to carry out focused research and development into innovative aircraft components. The company has been offered nearly £100k under the National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme (NATEP) through Invest Northern Ireland’s Grant for R&D, which is part funded by [...]
US home products giant Procter & Gamble has impregnated the outside layer of its laundry packets with a bitter taste in a bid to reduce potential child detergent poisoning. The move comes as new rules covering laundry products and packaging came into effect last month in Europe and which could [...]