29/06/2005

Centre of Excellence to advance engineering research

Northern Ireland’s technology infrastructure received a major boost today with a £6 million investment in a new engineering research centre in Co Antrim.

The investment at the FG Wilson’s Caterpillar Electric Power Engineering Centre of Excellence is expected to create 29 “high value jobs” and will further strengthen Northern Ireland’s research infrastructure which is “vital to the development of highly innovative and commercially viable products”.

Dr Mark Sweeney, the managing director of FG Wilson Engineering, said: “Our aim is to expand our business substantially by focusing on new product development. The centre will be an enabler for growth in both the existing and developing markets. It will be a major driver of technological development in Northern Ireland and it supports Caterpillar's strategy to develop its power generation business globally.

“We want to encourage an integrated approach to innovation through cross-disciplinary projects. Using the combined technological capabilities of FG Wilson, the universities and others we aim to generate cutting-edge research that can be quickly translated into practical applications.”

Invest NI has offered over £1.5 million to support the centre, which was officially opened by Enterprise Minister, Angela Smith.

(MB/SP)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

29 May 2012
"Committed" Dementia Carers Recognised
A Belfast carer has been recognised for the 14 years of work she has done for dementia care, at the first Northern Ireland Dementia Excellence awards. Lisa Forbes won 'Carer of the Year' at the event, which was organized by the Dementia Services Development Centre Northern Ireland (DSDC).
31 January 2005
Green light given for Derry city hotel site
The regeneration of Londonderry city centre was given a significant boost today with the announcement that the Department of Social Development had repossessed the former City Hotel site in Foyle Street.
05 March 2003
Study to reshape Belfast city centre launched
NIO Minister Des Browne has today announced the start of a review of Belfast city's regeneration policy following the adoption of the Victoria Square Development Scheme last month. The GB-based consultancy, G V A Grimley, has been engaged to conduct the research and is expected to report to the Department by the end of April.
17 July 2014
£6.8m Engineering Competence Centre Established
A new £6.8m Advanced Engineering Competence Centre has been established in Northern Ireland. Based at the Northern Ireland Advanced Composites & Engineering Centre (NIACE) on Airport Road, Belfast, the new competence centre will focus on developing solutions in the advanced engineering sector.
06 May 2004
Spellar announces review of housing development
Regional Development Minister, John Spellar today launched a four-month consultation period on the distribution of future housing development across Northern Ireland.