High Value Manufacturing Catapult
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| High Value Manufacturing Catapult | |
|---|---|
| Name | High Value Manufacturing Catapult |
| Formation | 2011 |
| Type | Research and technology organisation |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Region served | United Kingdom |
High Value Manufacturing Catapult
The High Value Manufacturing Catapult is a UK network of research and development centres focused on advanced manufacturing technologies. It brings together institutions such as universities, research institutes, and technology centres to accelerate translation of work from University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Imperial College London, Cranfield University and University of Manchester into industry through collaboration with firms like Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, Airbus, Jaguar Land Rover and Siemens.
Overview and Mission
The organisation aims to enhance United Kingdom competitiveness by bridging gaps between applied research at Cranfield University, Warwick Manufacturing Group, University of Sheffield, University of Strathclyde and industrial application at companies including GKN, Arup, Sage Group, Renishaw and BT Group. Its mission echoes objectives pursued by entities such as UK Research and Innovation, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Innovate UK, British Business Bank, and Nesta to catalyse technology adoption across sectors represented by Rolls-Royce Holdings plc, Siemens plc, McLaren Technology Group, Unilever, and Procter & Gamble.
History and Development
The Catapult concept was announced following reviews that involved stakeholders like Sir John Beddington, Lord Browne of Madingley, Sir Paul Nurse and policy groups connected to Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and later Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. It launched amid contemporaneous initiatives including the formation of Tech City and comparisons with institutions such as Fraunhofer Society, Max Planck Society, Sandia National Laboratories and National Physical Laboratory. Early funding decisions were influenced by programmes linked to Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund and advice from boards with members drawn from BAE Systems, Petrofac, GSK, BP, and Shell plc.
Centres and Facilities
The network comprises centres such as Manufacturing Technology Centre, Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, Aerospace Technology Institute, National Composites Centre, Nuclear AMRC and Centre for Process Innovation. Other linked facilities include WMG at University of Warwick, Institute for Manufacturing, Thomas Young Centre, EPSRC National Facility and industrial research facilities tied to Rolls-Royce plc testbeds. Centres collaborate with regional entities like Scottish Enterprise, Welsh Government, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, West Midlands Combined Authority and Liverpool City Region development agencies.
Research and Innovation Programs
Programmes span topics aligned with partners such as Airbus UK, BAE Systems Regional Aircraft, Rolls-Royce North America, Nissan Motor Manufacturing, JCB, AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline. Research themes include additive manufacturing research comparable to work at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, composites research akin to National Composite Centre activities, digital manufacturing initiatives related to Siemens Digital Industries, and low-carbon technologies connected with Carbon Trust. Projects have been co-funded alongside grants from European Commission, European Regional Development Fund, Innovate UK EDGE and partnerships with Knowledge Transfer Network.
Industry Partnerships and Commercialisation
Commercialisation pathways leverage expertise from organisations such as Cambridge Enterprise, Oxford University Innovation, KPMG, PwC, Deloitte, Ernst & Young and Grant Thornton for spin-outs and licensing. The Catapult has worked with multinational manufacturers including Siemens Gamesa, General Electric, Honeywell, Thales Group and Toyota to translate prototypes into production. Supply chain engagement has involved firms like Meggitt, Hexagon AB, Saint-Gobain, MITIE Group PLC and Melrose Industries to scale technologies.
Governance and Funding
Governance structures draw on trustees, non-executive directors and advisory panels with industry figures from Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, Jaguar Land Rover and academics from University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University of Edinburgh and University of Leeds. Funding sources include core grant funding from UK Research and Innovation, project funding from Innovate UK, revenue from contracts with BAE Systems, Airbus, Rolls-Royce, private investment from British Business Bank channels, and European structural funds akin to those from Horizon 2020.
Impact, Awards, and Criticism
The Catapult network has contributed to job creation in regions including South Yorkshire, West Midlands (county), North East England, Scotland and Wales and won recognition in industry award contexts similar to Queen's Award for Enterprise and innovation prizes sponsored by Royal Society of Arts. It has attracted critique from commentators comparing it unfavourably to Fraunhofer Society regarding scale and long-term funding, and scrutiny in parliamentary inquiries by members of House of Commons and committees including Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee over value-for-money and public subsidy. Ongoing debates involve stakeholders such as Confederation of British Industry, Institute of Directors, Trades Union Congress and local enterprise partnerships.