Construction Scotland Innovation Centre’s pioneering £2 million Innovation Factory was launched this month with a major industry event.
Over 300 construction professionals attended the launch event, which included interactive workshops and demonstrations taking place within the new Innovation Factory itself.
Keynote speakers included: Andrew Wolstenholme OBE, CEO of Crossrail and co-chair UK Construction Leadership Council, David Philp, Global BIM/IM consultancy director, AECOM, and chair of the Scottish BIM Delivery Group, and Chris Shaw, associate development director of renowned regeneration company Urban Splash.
The Innovation Factory, located at Hamilton International Technology Park in Lanarkshire and supported by Scottish Funding Council and Scottish Enterprise, will allow anyone within the construction industry to access 35,000 sq. ft. of workshop space fitted out with state-of-the-art production and prototyping equipment and technology.
Construction businesses of all sizes can use the facility to test and develop new products, processes, systems and solutions, from early stage ideas through to commercial realisation. The building will also provide a range of collaboration and training facilities to allow organisations in the private, public and academic sectors to share knowledge and information.
The workshop space and equipment will also be used for training purposes, allowing the industry to attract and develop fresh talent and build new skills using the latest virtual reality and drone technology, automated manufacturing equipment and advanced robotics as part of a move towards greater productivity.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “The opening of CSIC’s Innovation Factory, the only facility of its kind in the UK, will offer businesses across the country access to cutting edge technology and a state-of-the-art facility.
“Of course, it’s not just companies who can take advantage of the Innovation Factory. Housing associations, councils, Transport Scotland and the NHS have all worked with the Innovation Centre since it was established in 2014.
“We want to see more collaboration in the future, across the public and private sector, and I would encourage everyone to get involved and make the most of the Innovation Factory.”
Stephen Good, chief executive of Construction Scotland Innovation Centre said: “Opening the Innovation Factory today is a proud moment for the CSIC team, one that we have been working hard towards since we launched the Innovation Centre nearly three years ago.
“I’ve watched this facility grow from the seed of an industry idea into reality, and it is brilliant to see it open its doors today to so many enthusiastic people. The relevance of the facility has already been confirmed with companies registering their interest in using it months before we were even ready to open.”
To find out more about the Innovation Factory and how to take advantage of it, contact the CSIC team on; [email protected], 0141 212 5250 orwww.cs-ic.org.
