Case Study: Manufacturing district will bolster local, Regional and national economy

Creating a clean, green welcoming environment which fosters innovation and collaboration is central to the development of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) in Renfrewshire.

It’s the first project of its kind in Scotland, a partnership between Renfrewshire Council, the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise.

At its heart is the 52-hectare Netherton Campus, situated next to Glasgow Airport, the campus development underpinned by the £39.1 million Glasgow Airport Investment Area project, funded through the Glasgow City Region City Deal.

Work is well underway on that infrastructure investment, constructing the connections into the new campus, improving access for local communities and joining up existing business centres.

The focus is firmly on creating a healthy working environment, with cycling and walking routes into and across the campus, the campus masterplan promoting pedestrian access and scenic routes along the White Cart River.

Outdoor gathering areas, sustainable spaces and a low carbon heating system will ensure the campus is a place like no other, one where companies can work side-by-side, grow their business, tap into the latest technology and foster a happy, healthy workforce.

Construction of two multi-million pound research facilities, the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) and the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre, will start on campus this year, while aerospace giant Boeing is establishing an Research and Development team within the district, working in partnership with the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre, part of NMIS, on an £11.8 million research project looking at metallic component manufacturing.

Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said: “Manufacturing is a significant sector in the City Region and I am proud that through development of AMIDS, Renfrewshire is at the centre of Scotland’s manufacturing future, which will play an integral role in the local and national economic recovery over the coming years. The challenge is on to find smarter, better ways of making things and AMIDS is perfectly placed to manufacture a new way, for a new world.”

Artist impression aerial view of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland