News: Rolls-Royce's government-backed £2.5bn research and technology programme could support future growth in Rotherham

The UK Government and Rolls-Royce have announced plans for a joint 10-year, £2.5bn research and technology programme to develop cutting-edge gas turbine technologies for civil and defence aerospace, unlocking the biggest opportunity to transform advanced manufacturing across the UK for a generation.

Ministers believe that it provides an opportunity to support future growth in Rotherham.

The programme would advance more efficient and lower-emission jet engine technologies – as Rolls-Royce looks to secure a UK engine position on the next generation of commercial aircraft in the fast growing, high-volume, ‘narrowbody’ market segment – including through an engine demonstrator project. It would also sustain vital development and testing capabilities, strengthening national resilience by supporting the UK’s critical sovereign capabilities in defence aerospace.

Chancellor John Healey made the announcement during his budget speech, stating that it would support thousands of jobs across the Midlands, Bristol and the UK. The investment is expected to support for 3,300 existing jobs over the next few years, with the potential for tens of thousands of new roles beyond that.

Delivering the initial stages of the plan, which is subject to a final agreement being reached, will support 3,300 UK jobs at Rolls-Royce and supply chain partners by the end of 2029. Securing a UK engine position on new narrowbody aircraft would create tens of thousands more. As a result, Rolls-Royce and the Government will work together on a jobs and skills development plan to provide the necessary pipeline of future talent. The investment plan will also benefit the UK’s academic institutions, with university departments carrying out new research.

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Tufan Erginbilgic, CEO, Rolls-Royce, said: "This is a landmark moment for the UK’s aerospace industry. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to lay the foundations for decades of sustainable economic growth across the UK, creating high-value jobs and transforming the country’s advanced manufacturing supply chain. Aerospace is a growing and globally attractive market and this programme with Government is vital to enable the UK to compete. Working together, we can also sustain the nation’s capability to power military aircraft and secure its position as one of only two countries that can design, develop, make and service the jet engines that power the world’s commercial airliners.”

New jobs are expected to cover a range of areas from engineering and research to manufacturing – creating roles which run from the design stage all the way through to the factory floor.

The vast majority of these will also be created outside London and the South East – tapping into the numerous sites and supply chains Rolls-Royce maintains across the country.

Rothbiz revealed last year that the world-leading engineers were planning to invest in Rotherham and in March this year came the the confirmation of a £21.3m expansion project at the Advanced Blade Casting Facility (ABCF) on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham. The £110m facility is where turbine blades are manufactured for Rolls-Royce's world-leading aeroplane engines. Output is set to double by 2030.

The AMP is also where Rolls-Royce has carried out cutting edge research with long-standing partners, The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and where a parcel of land for development sits next to its castings facility.

In a letter to Sarah Champion - Rotherham's MP, the Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: "For areas like Rotherham with a significant Rolls-Royce presence this agreement provides an opportunity to support future growth, help retain highly skilled jobs and strengthen the UK's position as a global leader in aerospace engineering and manufacturing."

Rolls-Royce website

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News: University spin out scales up with £1.3m investment

Rotherham-based Productive Machines is eyeing expansion in Europe and the US following investment in its patent protected manufacturing machining technology.

The company is a spin out from the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and was founded by CEO Erdem Ozturk and CTO Huseyin Celikag, PhD experts in the field of machine dynamics and vibration.

Based within the Advanced Manufacturing Park's (AMP's) Technology Centre, Productive Machines uses a software simulation process called digital twinning to accelerate milling process design, reduce cycle time, eliminate quality problems and maximize productivity. Creating virtual replicas helps companies machine parts right the first time.

"SenseNC" software enables component manufacturers to optimise their machines for "first time right" machining, saving time and money by reducing material waste, increasing machine tool utilisation and improving quality.

The £1.3m investment has been led by existing investor Finance Yorkshire’s seedcorn fund with follow-on funding from ACT Venture Partners and Mercia Ventures.

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) has also invested in Productive Machines – its first equity investment in high value companies in South Yorkshire, supporting employment and commercial growth in leading digital manufacturing innovation.

The investment round was further supported by a £1.1m loan from Innovate UK.

The investment will support the company’s growth ambitions by creating local jobs and attracting more clients.

Target clients include large operators in the aerospace, defence, automotive, medical and precision engineering sectors.

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Erdem said: “Our clients machine complex, high-value components where a single scrapped part is costly. Our software removes the trial and error from their processes. SenseNC optimises the cutting conditions digitally before the machine touches metal so they get it right the first time and get more out of the machines they already own."

Productive Machines chairman Matthew Scherba added: “The investment from SYMCA and continued support from our existing investors enables us to help local manufacturers reshore back to the UK, including South Yorkshire, more aggressively commercially scale up our existing products in European and US markets and commercially launch our exciting new innovation.”

Finance Yorkshire Chief Executive Alex McWhirter said: “Productive Machines has proved the potential of its SenseNC software products which are enabling companies to optimise their component manufacturing.

“Finance Yorkshire is pleased to be part of a substantial investment round which will enable Productive Machines to grow through further innovation and the capture of new clients across Europe and the US.”

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said: "Productive Machines is a great example of the talent, ideas and innovation we have right here in South Yorkshire. Our £450,000 investment, combined with private sector backing, will help them expand their capacity, bring new products to market, and reach new customers both here in the UK and around the world.

" I want South Yorkshire to be a place where ambitious businesses with good ideas can start up, scale up, and succeed. When local companies like Productive Machines grow, they create good jobs, drive innovation and help to build a bigger and better economy.”

Productive Machines website

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News: Peel takes off Haworth from London Stock Exchange

Peel Holdings has confirmed plans to delist Harworth Group, the Rotherham-based regenerator of land and property for sustainable development and investment, that it is acquiring.

It follows on from wholesale board changes.

Rothbiz reported last month that the board of Harworth, had recommended a best and final takeover offer from major shareholder Peel Holdings, valuing the company at £631.7m.

Created from what was UK Coal, Harworth Group grew to own, develop, and manage a portfolio of over 15,000 acres of strategic land over 100 sites located throughout the North of England and Midlands, and made it on to the FTSE 250, the domestic-focused mid-cap stock index comprising the 101st to 350th largest companies listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Manchester's The Peel Group is a long-term investor in Harworth, having held various ownership interests in Harworth over a number of years. The Peel Holdings directors believe that Harworth's assets would be best owned, managed and developed under the full control of Peel Holdings.

Peel's earlier bid document said it would de-list the business from the stock exchange, stating that "Harworth’s stock market listing no longer serves its purpose". It added that "public market listing is of limited benefit," restricted by the largest three shareholders owning approximately 75.8%. of Harworth's share capital. Peel's documents also added that share trading showed a "very low and declining share liquidity" with Harworth not raising equity in nine years.

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With Peel now acquiring over 75% of the shares, an application has been submitted to delist from the Stock Exchange. Following the delisting and cancellation, it is intended that Harworth will be re-registered as a private limited company as soon as practicable.

Harworth recently moved into a new headquarters near to the Advanced Manufacturing Park in its flagship Waverley development in Rotherham. Peel earlier said that it had "not yet determined whether any changes will be made to the location of Harworth's headquarters or headquarters functions, or to the locations of Harworth's other fixed places of business." Any changes would be considered as part of a review into Harworth's assets.

Peel's earlier document also said it would de-list the business from the stock exchange and on jobs, the announcement said: "Following the Offer becoming or being declared unconditional, BidCo expects to review overlapping functions across the Harworth Group, including senior management, corporate, operational, finance, human resources, compliance and other support functions.

"Based on BidCo's preliminary assessment, the Offer is expected to result in a significant headcount reduction and synergies from overlapping functions and the elimination of costs associated with Harworth's status as a listed company. BidCo has not yet determined the number of roles likely to be affected, the timing of any reductions or the specific functions or locations in which any reductions may occur and will provide further information to affected employees in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements."

Peel is expected to review Harworth's fixed asset base, including its strategic land bank and investment portfolio, and then intends to accelerate the disposal of selected assets.

At the start of October, the directors of Harworth all resigned. This included Alastair Lyons (Chair), Lynda Shillaw (Director and Chief Executive), Kitty Patmore (Director and Chief Financial Officer), Angela Bromfield (Senior Independent Non-Executive Director), Patrick O'Donnell Bourke (Independent Non-Executive Director), Lisa Scenna (Independent Non-Executive Director), Marzia Zafar (Independent Non-Executive Director), Phil Redding (Independent Non-Executive Director), Tony Quinlan (Independent Non-Executive Director) and Martyn Bowes (Non-Executive Director).

Steven Underwood, Graeme Charnock, John Peter Whittaker, Ian Ball and Mark Whitworth, representatives of the Peel Group, were appointed as directors in their place.

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News: AMRC marks 25 years with ambition to quadruple industrial impact

Engineers and researchers are used to focusing on precious substances like titanium and carbon fibre, but now the focus for University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) is silver, as it celebrates 25 years of supporting UK manufacturers.

Founded in 2001 by the University of Sheffield and Boeing on the site of the former Orgreave Colliery in Rotherham, the AMRC is a model for collaborative research and is part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult supporting hundreds of private sector partners.

Marking the silver anniversary of its opening, the centre has refocused its strategy, prioritising the high-growth aerospace, defence and nuclear energy sectors and setting a bold ambition to quadruple its economic impact over the next decade.

It all started when Professor Keith Ridgway of the University of Sheffield worked with businessman Adrian Allen from Technicut on a project with Boeing. It became the first tenant of the now world-renowned Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham.

The AMRC was set up to build a bridge between the research happening in university labs and the practical needs of production lines. It has since become a global model for how research-led innovation can regenerate communities and use advanced manufacturing as an economic engine to create wealth and jobs.

Having created new centres in Rotherham, including the start-of-the-art AMRC Training Centre, the AMRC expanded over the Parkway onto the site of the former Sheffield airport, developing its own "Innovation District" with buildings such as Factory 2050, which opened in 2015.

Having started with just a team of eight, the centre now has more than 570 highly qualified researchers and engineers working on the manufacturing needs of the future, from composites to castings, additive manufacturing to machining.

The innovation-led impact has already helped attract £350m inward investment and more than 2,500 manufacturing jobs into the South Yorkshire manufacturing cluster. Further recent investments include McLaren Automotive’s announcement of a £40m expansion of its composites technology centre, creating 300 jobs, and a £19m investment by Rolls-Royce into its Advanced Blade Casting Facility, both located on the AMP in Rotherham.

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Professor Ben Morgan is chief executive officer at the AMRC and is leading the centre in its refreshed strategy, which is aligned to national priorities set out in the government’s industrial strategy.

He said: “For 25 years, our mission has been to take high-risk R&D off industry’s shoulders so manufacturers can start, scale, and stay in the UK.

“As industrial and national priorities shift, we are putting our technical capabilities squarely behind aerospace, defence, and nuclear and clean energy.

“Our goal for the next decade is to quadruple our historical impact. We aren't just doing research - we are driving up shop-floor production rates, shortening technology adoption cycles and ensuring critical supply chains remain firmly anchored in the UK.”

Katherine Bennett CBE, chief executive officer of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, added: “Throughout my career in aerospace, I have seen first-hand the reputation the AMRC has built for turning world-class research into real-world impact through close collaboration between industry, academia and government, from South Yorkshire to the North West and Wales.”

Looking ahead, the AMRC is leading a groundbeaking research programme Composites at Speed and SCale (COMPASS) with a new innovation facility in Sheffield that is home to Boeing’s largest research and development projects in the world. AMRC experts are also working on small modular reactor (SMR) development supporting Rolls-Royce SMR.

Lane Ballard, chief technology officer for Boeing, said: “Twenty-five years ago Boeing jointly established the AMRC alongside the University of Sheffield. We have never looked back.

"This year, we began the latest chapter of our partnership with the opening of the COMPASS facility, home to Boeing’s largest global R&D project, IHSS. The foundation of advanced manufacturing lies in fusing quality research, skills and supply chains.

"We are proud of what our teams continue to create in partnership in South Yorkshire.”

Alan Pardoe, senior manager for manufacturing capability delivery at Rolls-Royce SMR, said: “The AMRC has played a leading role in advancing UK manufacturing over the past 25 years.

“Through its unique and collaborative approach with British industry, it has helped turn ambition into reality - developing the skills, technologies and expertise required for long-term, sustainable success.”

AMRC website

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News: Xeros Technology in European breakthrough

British technology company Xeros has achieved a major milestone in revolutionising laundry, powering a KOENIC consumer product with its patented filtration technology.

Based at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, Xeros has created a number of technologies that reduce the impact of clothing on the planet. The AIM-listed group has secured a deal that has made its tech available in Europe's largest electronics retail chain.

Now available through MediaMarktSaturn retail channels in Germany, KOENIC has integrated Xeros technology into the KMPF-1000, an external washing-machine filter designed to capture fibres released from clothing before they enter household wastewater.

The product can be connected to commonly used domestic washing machines, allowing consumers to add filtration without replacing an existing appliance or changing their preferred washing programme or detergent. The launch provides commercial validation of Xeros’ licensing model, through which international appliance and consumer-technology partners incorporate its patented technology into products sold under their own brands.

Synthetic fabrics containing materials such as polyester, acrylic, polyamide, polyethylene and elastane can release microscopic plastic fibres during washing. Without filtration at the appliance, these fibres can pass into wastewater and potentially reach rivers, waterways and oceans.

The KMPF-1000 features a reusable 50-micron filter with Xeros technology that captures up to 98% of microplastics and over 80% of natural fibers released during washing. Its built-in spinning function removes water from the collected fibers, drying them out and making the filter easier to empty. This design also helps prevent blockages and allows for repeated use.

Unlike systems that depend on disposable cartridges, the KMPF-1000 does not require consumers to purchase replacement filter components. This reduces ongoing costs and avoids creating an additional stream of disposable filter waste.

Xeros’ filtration technology is easy to add to existing machines, so you don’t have to wait for a new appliance. Retailers can offer it as a standalone product alongside their current washing machines and laundry care options, making it a straightforward choice for consumers.

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The European retail launch follows recent Xeros research highlighting consumer demand for laundry technology that better addresses clothing care and environmental impact. A nationally representative survey of 2,000 UK adults found that almost three-quarters (72%) did not know whether washing machines had kept pace with developments in other household technologies.

Six in ten believed there would always be some risk of clothing being damaged in the wash, suggesting many consumers have come to accept shrinking, fading and fabric damage as unavoidable parts of doing laundry. Even so, nearly two-thirds (65%) would be interested in a washing appliance or solution that made delicate clothing safer and easier to clean at home while reducing the risk of damage. Interest rose to 74% among those aged 25 to 34.

The research also revealed the financial consequences of conventional washing and drying. Nearly two-thirds of consumers (63%) had thrown away, donated or stopped wearing at least one garment during the previous year because it had been damaged in the wash or dryer.

Among those affected who could remember the value, the clothing had originally cost an average of £105, the equivalent of a weekly food shop. A quarter of consumers had also seen a brand-new garment shrink after its first wash.

Neil Austin, CEO of Xeros, said: “This launch is a big step forward in bringing our filtration technology straight into people's homes through a major European retail chain. Microplastic pollution from washing mostly happens out of sight.

“People rarely see the fibres coming from their clothes or know where they end up in the wastewater system. That makes it easy to overlook the problem, even though each wash is an opportunity to capture those fibres at the source.

"Partnering with KOENIC and MediaMarktSaturn shows how licensing can speed up the adoption of filtration tech. Working with trusted brands, manufacturers, and retailers allows us to combine our ideas with their production and distribution powers to reach households on a large scale. For Xeros, this proves how British technology can be turned into a practical product with global commercial potential."

Xeros website

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News: Rotherham is the blueprint for a new age of industrialisation

The successful regeneration of the former Orgreave site in Rotherham and the creation of the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) has been highlighted as a blueprint for a new age of industrialisation by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

John Healey is the government’s chief financial minister and MP for Rawmarsh and Conisbrough. In his speech at the Labour Party Conference, he said that the site's transformation is "how Britain's industrial past is being remade now for the modern world."

Healey said: "My politics have been shaped by the industrial heartlands of South Yorkshire.

"And the most brutal day of that bitter miner's strike was at Orgreave. Today on the site of the Orgreave pit is Rotherham's Advanced Manufacturing Park, one of the most concentrated areas of innovation anywhere in Britain. It's where South Yorkshire's young people are now working with high-tech systems, making things their grandparents could never have dreamt of.

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"One of those young people is Shaun. Shaun's dad was a local miner, but there were no pit jobs for Shaun. So, he joined the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre. He joined as an apprentice. And so, while his dad mined the coal that kept Britain's lights on, above that same coal seem, Shaun is now working on high-tech research for the future of nuclear power.

"Our coal mines are not coming back. But this is how Britain's industrial past is being remade now for the modern world. It's how people are starting to tell each other stories of the future and not the past. And this is a story we can tell across the country.

"This is the new age of industrialisation. This is the new confidence in Britain, lit by this government, driven forward by business. So don't tell me it's not possible to create a new age of British industry. Don't tell me it's not possible to have good growth in every postcode. And don't tell me that people can't hope again."

Healey also confirmed a £300m investment in sites across the country from Rolls-Royce which includes the £21.3m expansion project at its Advanced Blade Casting Facility (ABCF) on the AMP in Rotherham.

In June, Rothbiz reported on the Northern Powerhouse Partnership (NPP) analysis of the AMP and Rotherham which showed that real gross value added (GVA) grew in the AMP area from £111.6m in 2004 to £369.8m in 2022, a 231% increase in real terms, the strongest of any area in the borough by a substantial margin.

Healey's speech started with banter with the Prime Minister watching on: "I know Manchester is a great city, just like Liverpool is a great city, but give me Rotherham any day of the week."

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News: Rolls-Royce Rotherham investment is a statement of intent and a vote of confidence

Rolls-Royce has announced a landmark £300m investment in its manufacturing and engineering facilities across the UK.

It includes the previously announced investment in its facility in Rotherham.

Rothbiz revealed last year that the world-leading engineers were planning to invest in Rotherham and in March this year came the the confirmation of a £21.3m expansion project at the Advanced Blade Casting Facility (ABCF) on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP).

Tufan Erginbilgic, CEO of Rolls-Royce, said: "Our manufacturing facilities in the UK are home to the very best of British engineering talent. This £300 million investment is a clear statement of our intent. Rolls-Royce is committed to growing the UK’s advanced manufacturing sector and we are proud to be building infrastructure needed to power Britain's future.

“World-class facilities across the UK will ensure that Rolls-Royce remains a global leader in both commercial aviation and sovereign defence, while supporting thousands of highly skilled jobs both directly and through our supply chain.”

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John Healey MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, added: "This £300m investment by Rolls-Royce is a powerful vote of confidence in Britain's future and in the economic stability this Government is delivering.

“From Derby and Bristol to Rotherham, Glasgow and Warwickshire, it will back skilled jobs, strengthen our sovereign industrial capability, and help drive growth in communities across the United Kingdom.

“At a time of increasing global competition, Britain must be the best place in the world to invest, innovate and build. Today's announcement shows that confidence in our country is growing and that world-leading British firms are investing for the future.”

The £110m Rolls-Royce facility in Rotherham was officially opened in 2015 and is where turbine blades are manufactured for Rolls-Royce's world-leading aeroplane engines.

With a grant of £2m from from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), a total of £21.3m is funding an increase in the facility’s capability and productivity, doubling its output of advanced turbine blades – a critical component in jet engines – by 2030.

The investment programme also demonstrates Rolls-Royce’s long-term commitment to the UK, providing multi-year stability to the hundreds of domestic engineering partners, component manufacturers, and small-to-medium enterprises that provide the company with the parts and services it needs to deliver for customers. In 2025 alone, Rolls-Royce spent more than £2.8 billion with UK-based suppliers, with the vast majority spent with businesses located outside of London and the South East.

Rolls-Royce website

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News: Construction completes on newest AMP building

Construction has been completed in Rotherham on a new purpose built headquarters for a world-leading engineering firm.

Work began at the end of 2025 at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham on "Project Vulcan" - a new 52,000 sq ft testing, manufacturing and distribution development, facilitating the relocation of Vulcan Seals.

Currently based in Sheffield, Vulcan Engineering Limited specialises in the production of mechanical seals and encapsulated ‘o’-rings. The company has a global presence and is an established world leader in the development and manufacture of high purity, composite encapsulated seals that fulfil a demand in the market where an engineering polymer is either not available or is extremely cost prohibitive.

Caddick Construction secured the £9.4m contract for the project which will expand Vulcan's development and manufacturing of high purity, composite encapsulated seals to serve global demand.

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Once in operation, the new development, located between Brunel Way and the Parkway, will have a focus on inspiring the next generation of engineers and the promotion of green technology, and is set to become a centre for high quality research at the AMP.

The park is currently home to approximately 100 companies, including Rolls Royce, Boeing and McLaren Automotive alongside the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).

Throughout the build the project achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating and was recognised with an outstanding 96% Considerate Constructors Scheme score.

The building is set to be Net Zero and includes the installation of a heat pump, electric heating and solar photovoltaic capacity.

As part of Caddick's commitment to social value, volunteers supported Rotherham Hospice with improvements to its outdoor space and jointly donated £2,000 with Vulcan Engineering to further support the incredible work carried out by the hospice.

Vulcan Seals website
Caddick Construction website

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News: McLaren Automotive to invest £42m at Rotherham site

McLaren Automotive is set to expand its base in Rotherham as part a £500m investment programme to expand its UK manufacturing, engineering and operations, enabling it to accelerate the development of its next generation of models.

It follows on from a £21.3m expansion project at Rolls-Royce's Advanced Blade Casting Facility (ABCF) nearby.

Opened in 2018 on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the McLaren Composites Technology Centre (MCTC) has established itself as a world-leader in lightweight carbon fibre construction for the automotive industry.

That initial £50m investment, backed by £12m from South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), is now set to be followed up by a £42m investment to go towards expanding the centre to expand McLaren's capabilities further for in-house production of lightweight chassis structures and advanced composite components.

60 people where employed in the first years of operation which was expected to rise to over 200 when in full production mode.

It is now expected that the workforce would triple by 2034.

McLaren said that the programme will create at least 1,000 new direct and indirect jobs across McLaren's UK operations by 2032, while safeguarding existing roles. McLaren Automotive’s manufacturing workforce is set to double in the UK, supported by new apprenticeships to develop the next generation of talent.

The investment forms part of a larger commitment from McLaren Automotive shareholder L’IMAD, a sovereign investor of the Government of Abu Dhabi, and reinforces McLaren’s commitment to Britain.

The investment will enable McLaren Automotive to expand its production capability, increasing vehicle output to ensure the next generation of McLaren Automotive cars are built in Britain including a newly confirmed performance SUV. This will be made possible by a new vehicle assembly facility planned in the UK.

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For the first time in its history, McLaren Automotive’s future powertrains will be designed and built in-house, starting with two new engines and transmissions.

Jassem Al Zaabi, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of L’IMAD, said: “Over the past 20 months, L’IMAD has worked closely with McLaren Automotive’s management team, supporting the business in sharpening its strategic direction and positioning itself for long-term growth. This investment reflects our confidence in its potential and our commitment to backing the business through its next chapter, building on the heritage, engineering excellence, and distinctive brand that has defined McLaren for more than six decades."

Nick Collins, Chief Executive Officer of McLaren Group Holdings and McLaren Automotive said: “This investment gives us the platform to grow, develop and build on what makes us distinctive, while investing in the people, technologies and products that will keep us competitive for decades to come."

Andy Burnham, UK Prime Minister said: “McLaren Automotive is doubling down on Britain, keeping the design, the engineering and the building of every future car here, and taking on a thousand more people to do it. Their investment will create high-quality apprenticeships, jobs and drive growth far beyond their factory gates. It is how you get skilled work, decent wages and pride back into a place. It’s this kind of partnership between government and business that will help us reindustrialise communities and make every part of Britain better off. I want young people to see that and know there is a future for them in making things, wherever they grew up."

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard called the investment "a huge vote of confidence in the people, skills and economy of South Yorkshire." He added: Companies like McLaren are not short of options when they consider where to spend their money. Which region in the world wouldn’t want to host a company like that? They chose South Yorkshire.

"That isn’t an accident. It reflects the strength of our workforce, our universities and colleges, our supply chain and the partnerships bringing them together.

"It also comes at an important moment for the UK. Reindustrialisation needs places with the capability and ambition to build the technologies of the future. South Yorkshire is demonstrating what that future can look like."

Rothbiz reported last month on McLaren's plans for a temporary storage area that would provide the current 75,000 sq ft purpose built unit with an extra 7,265sq ft in order to create additional operational capacity "to address an immediate operational need arising from existing activities whilst allowing sufficient time for the design, funding, and delivery of a permanent building solution within the locality as part of the wider / longer term site operations strategy."

In March the master developer for the AMP, Harworth, sold the McLaren unit that it built for the supercar manufacturer.

Harworth recently confirmed that it had agreed a straight 15-year lease on a 180,000 sq ft advanced manufacturing facility for an existing occupier at the AMP.

McLaren website

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News: Revenues up but Xeros suffers delays with appliance manufacturers

Xeros Technology Group plc, the Rotherham-based creator of technologies that reduce the impact of clothing on the planet, has reported good operational progress across its key divisions in its latest financial results, despite wider appliance industry headwinds extending commercial timelines.

The AIM-listed group is taking greater ownership for the creation of its own washing platform to counteract delays.

Based at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, Xeros recently published its unaudited interim results for the six months ended June 30 2026.

The results show group revenue increased by 67.7% to £0.1m, driven by income recorded across all of the group's technology areas (a first for the business). Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before tax) loss remained static at £1.6m, while administrative expenses decreased slightly to £1.8m due to tight cost management.

Xeros reported net cash of £3.5m in the preiod (£2.8m at the end of August 2026) and remains debt-free following working capital movements in respect of 2025.

Operational highlights included the retail launch of its XF3 external microplastic filter, which is now on sale in Germany via MediaMarkt, with a UK retail launch through Russell Hobbs expected imminently. Further launches are anticipated across major Nordic and US retailers.

In denim finishing, Xeros' partner Yilmak - the world’s largest denim processing machine manufacturer - achieved its goal of initial machine placements in Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, with further orders placed for Sri Lanka and India.

In its Laundry Care division, the firm reported continued progress with a major global washing machine brand under a previously announced breakthrough agreement. Xeros has also initiated an additional go-to-market strategy to launch Xeros-designed washing machine platforms by 2028, which it estimates could represent a £25m revenue opportunity.

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However, the company noted that macro-economic pressures and lower-cost Asian competition facing major European and US appliance manufacturers are extending partner programme timelines beyond its control.

As a result, early revenues previously anticipated in the second half of 2026 are now expected to shift into the first half of 2027.

The announcement discusses a project named "WM2.0" which has begun negotiations ahead of the anticipated appointment of one or two manufacturers in China. The project sees Xeros take greater ownership and responsibility for the creation of a fully functioning washing platform to counteract delays felt whilst working with manufacturers that licence Xeros' technology.

Neil Austin CEO at Xeros, said: "The Group has made good operational progress. Our external microplastic pollution filter (XF3), is now on sale in Germany through MediaMarkt; our denim processing partner, Yilmak, which is the world's largest denim processing machine manufacturer, has facilitated strategic machine placements across key denim manufacturing hubs; the breakthrough agreement for our Xeros laundry care washing machine with one of the world's largest washing machine brands continues to progress well.

"Whilst we have a few months delay in activation, we also have firmer foundations for growth with additional placements in Denim Finishing and distributors for XF3 lined up.

"The Board and I remain excited by the interest levels in, and potential for, Xeros's Technology."

The focus for the management team is distribution.

Speaking in a Q&A for investors, Austin added: "We need product which is ready and is in market, and we need that product to be as distributed as widely with high quality partnerships as we possibly can. If we do that, we give this business the very best opportunity to be able to establish those foundations.

"I'm extremely pleased with the progress that the business has been able to make and equally the things that I can see which we can't talk about just yet, which we know are coming as well. So we never take these things for granted. We are very careful when it comes to the use of the cash that we've got.

"I can say to you that in terms of the work that the business has done, we are establishing those foundations which are critical to be able to get us to the position that, as I said, the management team, the board ... will agree with, not least as well as investors, want us to get to."

Xeros website

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News: Metalysis achieves commercial specification of space alloy

Metalysis, the Rotherham-based end-to-end manufacturer of solid-state metal and alloy powders, and global leader in materials science, has produced C-103 alloy powder for high-demand markets such as defence, medical, semiconductor and energy.

The company holds the worldwide exploitation rights to the FCC Cambridge process which sees specialist powder metals created in a simple, cost effective process with significant environmental benefits. With a Materials Discovery Centre on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham it also operates a site at Manvers.

The current C-103 market is estimated at $46m, reaching $200m by 2032 as users search for alternative, secure and consistent supply of this high-performance refractory alloy for use within their high temperature and extreme environment applications.

The benefits of the Metalysis electrolysis process are that in contrast to traditional melting processes for metal alloy powder production, electrolysis uses much lower temperatures and less energy and is a single-stage process rather than multi-stage, such as titanium alloy production. Also, no hazardous chemicals are used during the Metalysis process. This gives substantial energy and yield savings and means that sustainability is built-in across the Metalysis production process.

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The Metalysis process in contrast to melting is also highly adaptable, so bespoke materials can be produced as directed by specific customer demand.

C-103 alloy is one of the most widely used niobium alloys. Niobium’s melting point of 2477 degrees Celsius, excellent corrosion resistance and high strength to weight ratio ensures it is a metal of choice for critical sectors.

C-103 faces supply chain vulnerability primarily because of shortages in Hafnium metal (as opposed to hafnium oxide) production, as competing demand from other hafnium compounds has increased, driven by the rapid expansion of semiconductor chip manufacturing.

Demand is also set to increase also following recent advances in additive manufacturing (AM - 3D printing). The ability to manufacture complex C-103 structures and geometries with minimal material waste addresses one of the historical manufacturing challenges pertaining to C-103, reducing costs and lead times.

Nitesh Shah, CEO of Metalysis, said: "Metalysis is adding C-103 niobium hafnium titanium alloy to its product suite given our core focus on refractory alloys – combined with lightweighting expertise. C-103 was developed in the 1960s but now we are seeing a huge surge in demand because of the renewed race for space – as well as advanced manufacturing sectors such as hypersonics / defence.

"The Metalysis FFC process is able to produce C-103 alloy to the morphology required by AM partners – whilst reducing metal oxides rather than metal means we are not constrained by the availability of hafnium metal. Our engagement with customers in this sector has already been highly encouraging.”

In March Metalysis secured nearly €1m via the European Space Agency (ESA) to scale sustainable titanium production. Titanium is a critical metal for space and aerospace applications, and ESA is actively supporting the development of a more sustainable, economically viable, and secure production route. The two year project has both space and non-space applications, and builds on Metalysis’ proccess.

Metalysis websiteImages: Metalysis

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News: McLaren planning to expand its Rotherham manufacturing site

McLaren Automotive is set to create additional operational capacity at its multimillion pound facility on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, if plans are approved.

Opened in 2018 in Rotherham, the McLaren Composites Technology Centre (MCTC) has established itself as a world-leader in lightweight carbon fibre construction for the automotive industry.

The company’s cars are designed and produced in-house through their production facilities, including Rotherham, which produces the carbon fibre monocoque chassis for their road cars. The MCTC is where the McLaren carbon lightweight architecture for the McLaren Artura high-performance hybrid supercar is constructed.

A planning application has now been submitted that would enable McLaren to erect a temporary building within the existing service yard on the AMP.

Plans, drawn up by agents at tor&co explain: "The building is intended as a temporary operational solution for a period of up to five years to enable the continued effective operation of the Composites Technology Centre whilst longer-term proposals for a permanent solution is secured.

"The temporary storage building is therefore required to address an immediate operational need arising from existing activities whilst allowing sufficient time for the design, funding, and delivery of a permanent building solution within the locality as part of the wider / longer term site operations strategy.

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"Whilst the proposal would not directly create additional employment, it would support the continued efficient operation of an existing advanced manufacturing facility within one of the Borough’s key economic growth locations. The development would continue to support the operational resilience and longterm functionality of an established advanced manufacturing business."

The temporary storage area would provide the 75,000 sq ft purpose built unit with an extra 7,265sq ft which would contain storage racking together with a small ancillary office cabin.

Rothbiz reported in March that Harworth, master developer for the AMP, had sold the McLaren unit that it built for the supercar manufacturer. Harworth sold the Rotherham unit as one of five assets totalling 800,000 sq ft for a headline sales value of £47.7m, reflecting a blended net initial yield of 7.6%.

McLaren Automotive website

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News: £5m backing would bring world leading fusion technology test rigs to Rotherham

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) is weighing up support for the acceleration of high priority test rig capabilities within an existing Fusion Energy Technology Centre in Rotherham.

The £5m investment would help create up to 25 jobs and four apprenticeships by the end of 2027.

UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), which has a mission to lead the delivery of sustainable fusion energy and maximise scientific and economic benefit, opened a £22m facility on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in 2021. Now renamed UKAEA South Yorkshire, the facility has expanded operations and deepened industry collaborations on advanced engineering projects, strengthening UKAEA's regional presence in materials, components and robotics testing.

The next investment from the government research organisation, previously codenamed Project Caerus, would involve two rigs (experimental facilities).

A High Heat Flux (HHF) Laser Facility (HALO) enables researchers to expose materials and components to extreme thermal loads similar to those found in fusion environments and to rapidly cycle these loads. This capability underpins critical research into materials resilience and fatigue, as well as structural integrity which is essential for designing future fusion reactors.

The new rig should also support high-performance industries such as aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and next generation materials engineering, where understanding heat stress and failure modes is essential for innovation.

The second test rig is called Fusion Oriented Robotics Technology (FORT) - the first Remote Applications in Challenging Environments (RACE) rig located at the Rotherham facility, making it a significant milestone for the region.

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UKAEA’s work spans materials, technology and engineering research. Their robotics division specialises in remote handling in extreme industrial environments. The new addition to the AMP facility is expected to attract specialist engineering, controls, software, and mechatronics expertise into South Yorkshire.

Much like HALO, other industries are also set to benefit such as those that use precision manufacturing, autonomous systems, and complex industrial operations, where remote manipulation and inspection have high economic value.

An update from the UKAEA said: "Together, these rigs represent a strategic, future-facing investment that supports scientific progress, economic benefit, strengthens regional competitiveness, and increases the UK’s ability to develop and export high-value technologies. This investment will contribute both to UKAEA’s national mission and UKAEA South Yorkshire’s economic ambitions."

The site’s expanded role aims to attract other UKAEA directorates to base teams in the region, leveraging the strong local talent pool, and deepening UKAEA’s presence in the north of England.

Professor Dennis Whyte has recently been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of UKAEA Group which has 2,600 people across four sites - over 60 are based in Rotherham.

Prof. Whyte said: "I am excited to be joining the exceptional team at UKAEA, which has a compelling plan for delivering commercial fusion energy, developing key technologies for fusion energy extraction, and the largest workforce in the world committed to advancing the development of fusion science and engineering in its widest forms."

UKAEA website

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News: 180,000 sq ft pre-let at AMP in Rotherham

A deal has been struck for a new 180,000 sq ft unit at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham - if approved, it will be the largest unit on what is one of the UK’s leading destinations for advanced manufacturing.

Landowner and master developer, Harworth Group, confirmed the pre-let in its latest trading update.

In its Half Year Trading Update, the leading regeneration, strategic land and development business that has its new HQ alongside the AMP at Waverley in Rotherham, discussed new opportunities for data centres and advanced manufacturing.

Its highlights for the six months to June 30 2026 included deals that have been completed or in legals on three pre-lets for units to be built by Harworth and held in its investment portfolio and are expected to generate £3.7m of rental income a year.

At Gateway 36 in Barnsley, a deal has been signed with for a 30,700 sq ft unit for a logistics operator's new last-mile parcel and postal distribution facility.

A 108,600 sq ft advanced manufacturing facility for an automative parts designer will be built at Chatterley Park, Staffordshire - the first at the development.

And at the AMP, the new 180,000 sq ft unit is for an existing occupier.

Planning documents, seen by Rothbiz, show that Harworth intends to reconfigure a new Plot 1 at the AMP to combine the space granted outline approval for units 1, 6 and 7. An earthworks application would be required before a full planning application for the large unit that would sit between SBD Apparel and Insight Direct.

Overall, with recent deals for Technicut, Vulcan Seals and Danieli, Harworth only has around 200,000 sq ft of the total 2.1 million sq ft of consented development space remaining at the AMP. A completion of the park is expected in 2027.

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Harworth also said that it was progressing a total of 1.5m sq ft of letting and land sale negotiations across the portfolio. Following on from Harworth's first hyperscale data centre transaction, a £106.6m land sale to Microsoft in 2024, the group has identified a second site in its current portfolio.

Due to the scale and strength of opportunities across its industrial & logistics and powered land pipeline, with growing occupier interest, Harworth is now accelerating its reallocation of capital to higher returning opportunities aligned to powered land and industrial growth sectors.

Lynda Shillaw, Chief Executive of Harworth, said: "Harworth specialises in unlocking land at scale, with planning and power secured, and this is key to capturing high-returning development opportunities across the data centre and advanced manufacturing sectors. Our second data centre opportunity that we are highlighting today underlines Harworth's position as one of the most significant regional players in the rollout of the UK's digital infrastructure, working with some of the largest operators in the industry.

"In addition to these opportunities, we have seen strong momentum across our sales and lettings pipeline during the first half and into the second, including the first letting at our 1.1m sq ft Chatterley Park site, to an advanced manufacturer, and a further letting to a national logistics operator at our well-established Gateway 36 development.

"With our unique skillset, extensive land bank and 0.8GW of power connections across our portfolio either conditionally secured or in the pipeline, we are well positioned to accelerate our reallocation of capital to powered land and industrial growth sectors. This in turn will create a simpler, higher-returning platform to deliver sustainable future growth."

Harworth Group website

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News: Funding boost for £4m AMRC scale-up programme

A £4m project intended to support the development of knowledge and innovation-rich start-ups, spinouts and future scale-up businesses in South Yorkshire, has secured a £2m grant.

Earlier this year, the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) launched AMRC Scale-up, a programme designed to help high-growth deep tech companies scale manufacturing in defence, aerospace and energy. This followed on from FerretWorks - a Yorkshire slant on SkunkWorks - with the approach at the AMRC formed to incubate high risk/high reward ideas.

The AMRC has grown to become a world leader in manufacturing excellence, part of the national High Value Manufacturing Catapult network of research centres. With facilities in Rotherham and Sheffield it has more than 500 highly qualified researchers and engineers working on the manufacturing needs of the future, from composites to castings, additive manufacturing to machining.

The board at the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) has now approved a £2m grant to build on the 2025/26 pilot year.

Using a total of £4m over the next four years, the project is primarily a revenue-funded business support / innovation programme, delivered through AMRC facilities and partner commercialisation routes. It will operate though FerretWorks and AMRC Start-Up, expanding The AMRC’s reach to support both university-led ventures and external founders, positioning AMRC as a central hub for manufacturing innovation and entrepreneurship.

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A SYMCA paper explains: "The programme builds on the success of the SYMCA-funded FerretWorks Start-Up pilot, creating a structured pathway to accelerate innovation, commercialisation, and business growth across South Yorkshire. It provides specialist manufacturing support to ventures emerging from the University of Sheffield Commercialisation Journey, while also attracting high-quality external entrepreneurs through strategic partnerships with organisations such as the Royal Academy of Engineering and Sheffield Technology Parks."

The programme aims to increase IP generation and commercialisation outcomes, attract and retain high-quality founders in South Yorkshire, strengthen the regional innovation ecosystem, support the creation of sustainable, high-growth businesses, and enhance collaboration between academia, industry, and external partners.

The report adds: "Ultimately, the programme will act as a feeder for the next generation of scale-up companies, driving long-term economic growth and delivering tangible societal benefit across the region."

Cllr. Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council and deputy mayor for South Yorkshire, said: "This bit about how you move from big scale academic activity into wealth-producing, growth-driving, start-up activity is incredibly important, and generally not cracked across the country. It seems to me to be the right sort of space that we [SYMCA] should be in to try and mitigate some of those risks and create those pathways and make that normal behaviour for people.

"We have got this great asset in The AMRC, and being able to maximise the commercial opportunities coming out of that seems to particularly important, so I welcome the scheme."

AMRC website

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News: New NED at SBD

Rotherham-based SBD Apparel has appointed a former Olympian to the board as a Non-Executive Director.

SBD Apparel is already the global market leader in strength sports apparel, clothing and accessories worldwide. The company, which counts elite strength and fitness athletes across the world amongst its growing client base, as well as being synonymous with the World’s Strongest Man Competition, successfully opened a new manufacturing hub at Rotherham’s Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in 2022.

The move to new 100,000 sq ft premises was part of a desire to boost exports. The company now sells in markets including Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Germany, Spain, Italy, Norway and Iceland.

Don William brings more than 35 years of experience in professional services and business advisory, having held senior partner roles at both KPMG and BDO. His expertise in strategy, governance, financial oversight and business growth will further strengthen SBD as we continue to expand internationally and invest in the future of the business.

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Simon Clegg CBE, SBD Group Chairman said: "As one of the country’s leading Retail Partners at both BDO and subsequently KPMG, Don brings immense skill sets and experience which will support the further growth of our business at this exciting time. Don’s additional sporting credentials as a former Olympic hockey player provides an empathy with high performance sport which is so central to our brand."

Don Williams, Non-Executive Director at SBD, added: "I am delighted to join the Board of SBD Group. SBD has built a world-class reputation within strength sports through innovation, quality and an unwavering commitment to athletes. The business has exciting opportunities ahead and I look forward to supporting the leadership team as it continues its growth journey."

Don is a former Great Britain and England hockey player with over 120 caps who represented GB in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

SBD Apparel website

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News: AMP transformation makes Rotherham a global story

The Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham is described as one of the best examples of economic development in the country, with its impact something you can see, physically and numerically.

A new report from the Northern Powerhouse Partnership (NPP) has examined Rotherham’s economic transformation over the past two decades, building on a report last year that showed that Rotherham had the fastest-growing sub-regional economy in the North, with a 63.9% increase in productivity between 2004 and 2023.

The latest analysis pinpoints the smaller area that includes the AMP - the site at Waverley developed by Harworth and anchored by the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) which now supports a cluster which brings together businesses like Boeing, Rolls-Royce and McLaren Automotive with world-class research capability.

The report shows that real gross value added (GVA) grew in the AMP area from £111.6m in 2004 to £369.8m in 2022, a 231% increase in real terms, the strongest of any area in the borough by a substantial margin.

In 2022, small-area GVA per employee job in the AMP area reached £79,400 (2022 prices), 50% above the borough average and up 46.5% in real terms since 2015. The report says that this strongly indicates that the AMP is generating high-value economic activity.

Henri Murison, Chief Executive at The Northern Powerhouse Partnership, was talking at a Rotherham Together Partnership event last week about the transformation. He said that his organisation has been intrigued by the borough, saying that there was something "unusual and special about Rotherham."

Murison said: "The AMP economic trajectory is way above the borough, and the normal economy, and you can physically and numerically see the impact."

Situated on the former Orgreave colliery and coking works site, the AMP represents a striking example of economic renewal. An area once synonymous with the challenges of industrial decline, it is now home to one of Europe’s most significant clusters of advanced manufacturing, research and engineering activity.

Murison added: "The AMP is one of the country's best examples of economic development and the commitment by the area's leadership to push forward and prioritise employers like Rolls-Royce has had genuine dividends."

He referenced the collaboration with city neighbours, where the innovation district has expanded over the border from the AMP onto the site of the former Sheffield airport, and said that closing the economic productivity gap with city neighbours, as Rotherham has done, was unusual.

Murison concluded that Rotherham will need to take risks to continue the growth and pointed to the potential of the Don Valley Corridor and new Rotherham Gateway station on the mainline.

He said: "The point is, you have done this before, and when people like us say that you are likely to do it again, investors and people in real estate see this."

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Andrew McPhillips, Chief Economist at the Northern Powerhouse Partnership and author of the report, said: “Rotherham has recorded the fastest productivity growth of any major town in the North since 2004, but what is particularly striking is what sits behind that performance.

“Our analysis shows a long-term shift away from traditional heavy industry towards advanced manufacturing, engineering and innovation-led activity centred on the Advanced Manufacturing Park and the wider Don Valley corridor.

“The lesson is not that every place should try to replicate Rotherham exactly, but that through sustained collaboration between universities, businesses, investors and local leaders, we can create the conditions for long-term economic transformation.”

Tom Riordan CBE, Northern Growth Envoy, was also at the Rotherham Together Partnership event. He said: "Rotherham is a global story. It's not just you, it's a story for the North, and the UK - let's use it because this is how you get people working together, this is how you get that flywheel effect."

The former Yorkshire Forward boss also discussed the opportunity with the Don Valley Corridor and new Rotherham Gateway and said that he would continue to be a "friend and ally of Rotherham."

Cllr Chris Read, Leader of Rotherham Council, said: “The story of Orgreave and its transformation into something genuinely world‑leading at the Advanced Manufacturing Park to testimony to an extraordinary group of people, but it demonstrates a model which should inspire us for the future.

“Rotherham’s success story over the last decade is perhaps slightly obscured by the fact that hard work was undertaken in the typically determined, resilient but never showy style of our community. As we look towards the next decade of opportunity, the Don Valley Corridor has the potential to be one of the most important growth areas anywhere in the country and an exemplar for the North. This is about forging ahead, building on the lessons of the AMP while making the most of new industries, infrastructure and investment.

“Our plans for Rotherham Gateway, which would bring mainline services back to Rotherham for the first time since the 1980s, we’re looking to go further still, bringing new connections, new employment space and thousands of good-quality jobs closer to our communities.

“This welcome report shows not just how far we’ve come, but what’s possible when we get that long-term partnership right, giving certainty and stability for investment, and building on our strengths. There is much more to do, but with the momentum we have, we should be looking to the future with confidence.”

Northern Powerhouse Partnership website

Images: JPG / AMRC Training / RMBC

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News: AMP-based tech firm secures investment

AddParts, a Rotherham-based technology company enabling pharmaceutical manufacturers to improve production continuity and reduce operational risk, has secured a six-figure pre-seed investment from SFC Capital to support its growth.

The move comes as pharmaceutical manufacturers face increasing pressure to mitigate operational risk, reduce dependency on fragile supply chains, and maintain continuous production in highly regulated environments. Across global manufacturing, unplanned downtime is estimated to cost hundreds of billions of pounds annually, with even short disruptions having significant financial and operational impact in high-value pharmaceutical production environments.

Based in the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, AddParts addresses this challenge through a virtual-first model that enables manufacturers to store, access, and reproduce critical components on demand, reducing reliance on traditional supply chains and long lead times.

At the core of AddParts' offering is a virtual storeroom that enables manufacturers to take control of their critical parts data, ensuring components can be reproduced on demand, reducing reliance on OEMs, and enabling more resilient, proactive maintenance strategies.

As manufacturers seek to build more resilient, responsive operations, digital spare parts strategies are emerging as a critical component of modern pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Beyond part replacement, AddParts supports manufacturers with reverse engineering of legacy components, digital capture of critical equipment, and engineering-led improvements that reduce failure risk and extend asset life. The firm operates under an ISO 9001-certified quality management system aligned with pharmaceutical manufacturing requirements, ensuring traceability, documentation, and compliance.

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AddParts was also supported by Venture.Community, an organisation that also has an office in the AMP Technology Centre and helps businesses in South Yorkshire raise investment. The programme played a key role in supporting the company's development and preparing it for successful investment.

Tom Fripp, Founder of AddParts, said: "Unplanned downtime is a global challenge for pharmaceutical manufacturers, with real consequences for cost, output, and supply continuity. By digitising critical components and making them available on demand, we're helping manufacturers respond faster and operate more resiliently. Early customer engagements have demonstrated measurable operational benefits, including significantly reduced lead times and improved production continuity. In some cases, avoiding a single extended stoppage fully offsets the cost of implementing AddParts' more proactive spare parts strategy."

Ed Stevenson, Fund Principal, SFC Capital, added: "AddParts gives manufacturers a digital record of their critical components, so they can reproduce what they need on demand instead of chasing OEMs. Tom has built something genuinely useful, and we're pleased to back him."

Peter Hopton, Executive Chairman and Founder, Venture.Community, added: "AddParts is a really exciting company. We liked the team, the depth of the product, and the traction with customers. The firm is solving a key pain point in regulated production lines worth millions of pounds in savings."

AddParts website
Venture.Community wesbite

Images: AddParts

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News: £50m growth deal to help South Yorkshire build the technologies and innovations of the future

A new £50m South Yorkshire Defence Growth Deal is expected to be operational by the end of Summer 2026.

Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, was in Rotherham this week, seven months after the deal was launched.

The Defence Industrial Strategy set out how government spending on defence can benefit local economies, from highly skilled engineering positions to apprenticeships for young people starting their careers.

Initial analysis indicates there could be an additional demand of up to 50,000 defence jobs by 2034/35 with increases in defence spending. Defence Growth Deals will play an important role in capitalising on that skilled employment potential for communities across the UK.

South Yorkshire is one of five deals that will be backed by a total of £250m of defence spending over the next five years.

The Defence Minister discussed the deal with industry at the University of Sheffield on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, and its aim to help defence companies and boost skills by expanding cutting-edge defence research in South Yorkshire.

The targeted funding will catalyse growth across the region by boosting innovative R&D capacity and reinforcing the supply chains that defence companies need to equip our Armed Forces.

South Yorkshire is identified as a key hub for the development and engineering of high integrity, precision materials for the defence sector, including at MOD-owned Sheffield Forgemasters.

The region is also home to the University of Sheffield’s world-leading Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) which has multimillion pound facilities on the AMP in Rotherham. A growing defence cluster is being bolstered by BAE Systems new artillery factory in Sheffield with Rotherham companies including MTL Advanced and Magtec already supplying the defence sector.

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Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, said: This £50m investment will mean South Yorkshire’s superb defence companies can develop innovative new technology, helping strengthen our Armed Forces and keep Britain safe in this new era of threat.

With government, industry and academia – such as the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre – working hand in hand we are making sure this support is really targeted where it will have the biggest impact.

Through this Defence Growth Deal our government is backing British, and backing South Yorkshire. We’re harnessing the proud industrial base in this area to make defence an engine for growth, delivering new jobs and skills for local people.

The discussion included establishing a South Yorkshire Defence Board, deepening collaboration between the government, South Yorkshire’s mayoral authority, industry and academia, working hand-in-hand on making the Growth Deal as effective as possible while attracting long-term public and private investment.

The University of Sheffield AMRC has recently worked with EY-Parthenon to outline clear actions to unlock growth and secure sovereign defence capability, as well as the central role the AMRC can play in helping the UK to overcome innovation, capacity and capability challenges.

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said: In an ever more dangerous world, South Yorkshire has a significant role to play in the defence and security of the United Kingdom and our allies.

The £50 million Defence Growth Deal we have been awarded by the government doesn’t simply recognise the expertise and assets we have here today, it will help us to build the technologies and innovations of the future.

That Deal will mean we can continue making things, creating secure, well‑paid jobs, giving people across South Yorkshire the opportunity to stay near and go far. All while helping to keep the UK and our allies safe, secure and protected.

Images: Luke Pollard / X

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News: AMRC launches new scale-up programme

The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) has launched AMRC Scale-up, a programme designed to help high-growth deep tech companies scale manufacturing in defence, aerospace and energy.

The AMRC has grown to become a world leader in manufacturing excellence, part of the national High Value Manufacturing Catapult network of research centres. With facilities in Rotherham and Sheffield it has more than 500 highly qualified researchers and engineers working on the manufacturing needs of the future, from composites to castings, additive manufacturing to machining.

AMRC Scale-up is built for Series A and later-stage companies with established market traction that are preparing for scaled production. Unlike early-stage accelerators, the programme focuses on companies moving toward industrial production rather than product validation.

Matt Farnsworth, commercial director at the AMRC, said: "The UK has never lacked innovation, but the challenge has always been anchoring that brilliance into long-term industrial growth. AMRC Scale-up provides the technical runway for the UK’s most promising deep tech companies to bridge the gap between prototype and global supply chain. This is about more than growth; it’s about securing sovereign capability in the sectors that will define the next century."

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Engaging with AMRC engineers, participating companies will validate production systems capable of industrial scale, strengthen supply chain and certification readiness and embed manufacturability into growth and investment strategy.

Rushabh Shah, commercialisation manager at the AMRC said: "Scaling a manufacturing process is a distinct engineering challenge that requires a different mindset than product development. By embedding our AMRC engineers directly into these high-growth companies, we aren't just giving advice – we are validating production systems and de-risking the leap to industrial volume and capital investment.”

The AMRC says that it will select ten companies to take part in the programme with applications for the first cohort open now.

Rothbiz reported last year on SYMCA's funding for FerretWorks - a Yorkshire slant on SkunkWorks - with the approach at the AMRC formed to incubate high risk/high reward ideas away from the typical business KPIs and constraints, creating a space where it’s OK to fail, as well as putting money into the groups so they can make space for thinking.

AMRC website

Images: AMRC

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