Scotland Expands Vision in Hi-Tech Manufacturing

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An industry-led strategy was launched in September 2015, in which senior experts from life-sciences and chemical companies set out how Scotland provides the infrastructure, connectivity, and academic excellence necessary to sustain a thriving manufacturing base.

Scottish life-sciences and chemical companies are calling on the United Kingdom as well as global manufacturers to recognize Scotland as a European base. GBP1 billion have been invested towards the expansion of Scottish manufacturing facilities during the past three years.

The life-sciences sector is seeking to achieve growth and double its turnover to GBP6.3 billion by 2020 while the chemical sector is aiming to increase exports by 50% from GBP3 billion to GBP4.5 billion in the next five years. Major companies in the sector include GSK, BASF Pharma, Johnson Matthey, Exxonmobil and Ineos. Other companies with a significant international presence are Charles River Laboratories, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Johnson & Johnson, Millipore Terumo, and ClinTec.

An industry-led strategy was launched in September 2015 in which senior experts from life-sciences and chemical companies set out how Scotland provides the infrastructure, connectivity and academic excellence necessary to sustain a thriving manufacturing base. The plan includes changing perceptions of manufacturing and recognizing that it is a highly skilled, well-paid career choice; commercializing research by translating intellectual properties into opportunities for manufacturing; strengthening the manufacturing base by identifying and filling gaps in the facilities available to support development and growth; highlighting the benefits of “re-shoring” manufacturing to Scotland from overseas and the strength of the supply chain infrastructure; and attracting investment from overseas companies.

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The next step for the strategy will see task groups led by industry and managed by Scottish Enterprise. Each group will articulate key priorities and milestones to achieve them.

Source: Scottish Enterprise