Government awards £22.6m to Rochdale’s advanced manufacturing flagship

Greater Manchester business leaders have welcomed the award of £22.6m to Rochdale's Advanced Machinery and Productivity Institute (AMPI).

The funding boost is from the Government's Innovation Strategy launched by Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng on 22nd July 2021.

It represents the Government's long term vision to put innovation at the heart of building back better, as a key pillar in its Plan for Growth. It aims to boost private sector investment in R&D across the whole of the UK, and create the right conditions for all businesses to innovate so they have the confidence to do so.

The AMPI, on Kingsway Business Park, is aimed at positioning Rochdale at the forefront of developing innovative manufacturing technology and has the potential to create more than 1,000 highly skilled jobs.

The Institute will team up with the national physical laboratory and local universities, including Manchester, Salford and Huddersfield, and serve as a catalyst for the creation of an innovation district within Rochdale.

Earlier this year the AMPI was awarded £23.6m from the Government's Towns Fund.