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A major new Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre has officially opened at Global Point in Newtownabbey.
The AMIC Newtownabbey facility is expected to support up to 1,500 jobs across Northern Ireland, contribute around £1.3 billion to the economy, and support the training of 300 apprentices by 2050.
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has invested £10 million in the project, alongside funding through the Belfast Region City Deal and investment from Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University.
Read more local updates on the Northern Ireland Online Newtownabbey page.
A major new Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) in Newtownabbey has officially opened, marking a significant investment in Northern Ireland’s manufacturing sector.
Located at Global Point, the new facility has been designed to help manufacturing businesses develop new technology, improve productivity and bring new products and processes to market.
The centre is expected to support up to 1,500 jobs across Northern Ireland, contribute approximately £1.3 billion to the economy and support the training of 300 apprentices by 2050.
Businesses can find further information about the centre on the official AMIC website.
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has contributed £10 million towards the new centre.
The development has also been funded through the Belfast Region City Deal, alongside investment from Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University.
The Belfast Region City Deal is a wider investment programme aimed at creating jobs, supporting innovation and driving economic growth across the region. More information is available from the official Belfast Region City Deal website.
Queen’s University Belfast is leading AMIC, while Ulster University, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and industry partners are also involved in its delivery.
Businesses using AMIC will have access to specialist engineering expertise, advanced equipment and state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities.
The centre aims to help companies:
You can also read the Queen’s University Belfast announcement on the official opening.
The new centre is based at Global Point in Newtownabbey, an established business and development location.
Those behind the project believe AMIC could become an anchor for further economic development, helping attract additional companies and investment to the area.
The facility is also intended to strengthen Northern Ireland’s wider manufacturing supply chain.
For more local stories, businesses, events, fuel prices and travel information, visit the Northern Ireland Online Newtownabbey local guide.
Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Henry Cushinan, said the opening represented an important milestone for both the borough and Northern Ireland’s advanced manufacturing sector.
He said AMIC would provide businesses with access to world-class facilities, expertise and technology while helping companies improve productivity and compete internationally.
The Mayor described the development as a potential “game changer” for advanced manufacturing, with opportunities to attract investment, create jobs and apprenticeships and develop skills required by the sector.
AMIC chief executive Sam Turner said the organisation was proud to open what he described as its “factory of the future”.
He said the centre was already working with local businesses to introduce new technologies, build skills, increase productivity and develop new products and processes.
AMIC is also seeking partnerships with major companies from outside Northern Ireland.
Turner said demand for innovation projects was already high and described the Newtownabbey facility as an important anchor for future growth and investment.
The Factory of the Future is a 10,500-square-metre facility at Global Point Business Park. It includes engineering space, laboratories, collaboration areas and facilities intended to help companies explore and introduce advanced manufacturing technology.
More information about the building and its facilities is available on the AMIC Factory of the Future page.
Advanced manufacturing remains an important part of Northern Ireland’s economy.
The new AMIC facility is intended to give companies access to research, engineering expertise and technology that may otherwise be difficult or expensive for individual businesses to develop internally.
For smaller and growing manufacturers in particular, access to specialist facilities could make it easier to test new ideas before investing in full commercial production.
AMIC says its facilities are open to businesses and researchers, with support available for manufacturing innovation, research and development and skills.
Businesses interested in working with the centre can visit AMIC’s business support information.
The longer-term objective is to establish Antrim and Newtownabbey, alongside the wider Northern Ireland region, as a leading location for advanced manufacturing and research and development.
The new Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre is located at Global Point, Newtownabbey.
Global Point is already an established employment and development location, with the Council suggesting the surrounding area has further potential to attract investment from businesses seeking access to AMIC’s facilities and expertise.
Businesses considering investment or expansion in the borough can visit Invest Antrim & Newtownabbey.
Further information is available through:
Keep up with developments from Newtownabbey and across Northern Ireland:
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