At STRIDE, we’ve recently seen first-hand the rapid development and advancements in manufacturing technologies available to businesses in the updated Babbage Building at the University of Plymouth. This has highlighted the vitality of the manufacturing sector in our region, especially after our Innovation for Manufacturing event earlier this month.
Manufacturing has always been a cornerstone of the Southwest’s economy, dating back to before the Industrial Revolution. Early metalworking in Cornwall is believed to have taken place between 2400 and 1500 BC. During the Industrial Revolution, mining and allied manufacturing sectors flourished in Cornwall. Today, Cornwall’s manufacturing sector has diversified into space and aerospace, renewable energies, agritech, healthtech, and more, while agriculture, forestry, and fishing remain key economic elements.
This diversification has led to numerous innovative businesses in Cornwall, Devon, and particularly Plymouth. These companies are creating unique products for various sectors, such as automotive, space, and scientific industries. However, many struggle to keep up with product development and innovation. That’s where STRIDE and the University of Plymouth come in.
The newly renovated Babbage Building is a hub where ‘innovation meets design.’ It features state-of-the-art facilities, including energy and sustainability labs, heavy structures and geotechnics labs, and an immersive visualisation suite. This suite allows global collaboration to examine and model components in a 4D world. Other facilities include nanomaterials, engineering computing, and fabrication labs.
These cutting-edge resources, along with skilled technicians and academics, are available to support businesses in developing and enhancing their products, leading to new launches and increased revenue. You no longer have to navigate this journey alone.
Moreover, this support is free for businesses in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, thanks to funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). If your business is outside this area, the University will connect you with Enterprise Solutions for similar support. There’s no reason not to innovate and grow.
Learn more about the support available from the University of Plymouth by visiting the Babbage Building page on the University website.