Shadow Secretary of State for NI Vernon Coaker MP, Dr Scott King, NIACE Centre Manager
and Chuka Umunna MP, Shadow Business Secretary.
Keith Campbell, Bombardier Aerospace, Chuka Umunna MP, Dr Scott King and
Vernon Coaker MP, during the tour of the NIACE centre.
Dr Leslie Orr ADS, Keith Campbell, Bombardier Aerospace, Vernon Coaker MP,
Gareth Caves, Williams Industrial Services, Dr Scott King, NAICE Centre Manager,
Chukka Umunna MP, Prof. Tom Millar QUB, Prof Jim McLaughlin UUJ.
8th March 2013: Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Vernon Coaker MP
and Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna MP recently visited the Northern
Ireland Advanced Composites and Engineering Centre (NIACE) as part of a two day
visit to Northern Ireland.
Based in purpose built facilities in Belfast, NIACE is an industry-led, university-hosted
technology hub for the research and development of advanced engineering and
advanced materials technologies. The centre opened last year with an emphasis is
on industry-friendly access and collaborative partnerships between industry and the
universities, supporting manufacturing companies and their supply chains to
improve competitiveness.
Dr Scott King, NIACE Centre Manager said, “The centre’s aims are to help Northern
Ireland’s manufacturing sector grow and develop its capabilities, enabling it to
compete more successfully on both a national and global scale. We were delighted
to show the MPs round to see firsthand the benefits to companies of all sizes from a
wide cross section of industry working with other companies and universities in this
unique environment.”
The MPs met with representatives from Bombardier and Williams Industrial Services,
two of the eight companies participating in research, as well as representatives from
both participating universities, Queen’s University and University of Ulster at
Jordanstown. Trade organisation ADS was also represented.
Vernon Coaker said, "I was very impressed with the NIACE centre, and the high level
of technology and knowledge that is available for participating companies to access.
I would strongly encourage any company who has an interest in advanced engineering
and composites research and development to get involved."
Chuka Umunna commented, "The visit gave us great insight into the extremely high
levels of expertise that already exist in Northern Ireland in this field. I am confident
that cross sectoral networking and work carried out in the NIACE centre will further
enhance that, and by building on this knowledge, large and small companies alike
can make a positive impact."
