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Birmingham Post
Birmingham Post
Business
Tamlyn Jones

High Value Manufacturing Catapult moves to Birmingham

A research and development centre for manufacturing technology has relocated to Birmingham.

The High Value Manufacturing Catapult focuses on innovation in fields such as materials, automation, virtual reality and additive manufacturing.

It has now moved its West Midlands operation to a new base at the iCentrum building on the Innovation Birmingham campus from its previous home on Blythe Valley Park in Solihull.

Formed 11 years ago by Innovate UK, the High Value Manufacturing Catapult comprises seven research centres across the UK and works with more than 5,000 industrial partners.

It said it had selected Innovation Birmingham due to its existing technology ecosystem and owner Bruntwood SciTech promising to support the catapult with direct introductions to fast-growing science and tech start-ups which would benefit from its support.

High Value Manufacturing Catapult's new office space is home to more than 170 businesses working in fields such as fintech, cyber security and sports tech.

Chief executive Katherine Bennett said: "Fostering manufacturing in Birmingham and the wider region is crucial to the levelling up agenda, rebalancing the economy so that we see regeneration across the UK.

"The potential for manufacturing growth in Birmingham is huge and we're excited to explore the possibilities for the region's SMEs as part of our move to Innovation Birmingham.

"This move marks the next stage of the catapult's growth, having helped nearly 22,000 companies commercialise their industry-defining ideas in our first decade.

"Our ambition for the next ten years is to embed the UK's reputation as the world's go-to advanced manufacturing economy."

Jamie Clyde, director of innovation services for Bruntwood SciTech, added: "As a long-time supporter of the catapult, we're delighted to welcome the organisation to Innovation Birmingham.

"They will be located in the heart of the city's innovation district, placing them within the ecosystem of leading academic institutions and tech and digital businesses that we're proud to have nurtured here.

"This exciting partnership aligns perfectly with our vision and model of curating interconnected, industry-leading innovation districts and ecosystems right across the UK."

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