University Supports £20 million Supply Chain Innovation Centre

20 March 2013

University of Derby is working with Derby City Council to boost competitiveness and growth of companies in the "trains, planes and automobile" supply chain as part of the support programme from the £40 million Regional Growth Fund.

The Regional Growth Fund objectives include strengthening links between transport engineering companies, improving their innovation potential, supporting diversification into new markets and the creation of new business opportunities.

£6.2 million of the Regional Growth Fund is being focused on an Innovation Campus which includes a new Centre for Supply Chain Innovation in Transport Engineering.

Working with OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and supply chain leaders, the Centre will focus on a programme of innovation support services for local companies within the transport engineering supply chain. The aim is to improve the ability of these businesses to win and grow business through building long term relationships within and between transport engineering supply chains.

A dedicated expert team will engage with suppliers focusing on technology and innovation, strategic supply chain management, enterprise creation and workforce development. This team will then link up with a network of service providers, including University of Derby and Aston University, to address their requirements and support growth.

Companies will be helped financially to access this support through grants and loans available from the Derby Enterprise Growth Fund.

Derby City Council leader, Councillor Paul Bayliss, said; "The aim would be to bring together expertise in research and development opportunities for firms that work in engineering sectors. Plans to create a Global Technology Cluster and Innovation Campus in particular are essential for Derby and the UK's manufacturing future and for the creation of jobs."

Andrew Hartley, Managing Director of University of Derby Corporate said "This is a great opportunity for the University of Derby and Derby City Council to work together to support local manufacturing and engineering companies. In doing so, we aim to maintain the city of Derby's reputation as a hub of transport engineering quality and excellence through which we can improve the local economy."

To find out more please call 0800 678 3311 or email udc@derby.ac.uk