£12m High Temperature Research Centre marks development milestone

CONSTRUCTION of the University of Birmingham’s £12m High Temperature Research Centre has reached a significant milestone with the building’s topping out.

Representatives from the university and contractor Wates Construction celebrated the occasion with a traditional ‘topping out’ ceremony – participants even signing the final roof panel after it was secured in place.

The 5,800 sq m facility, at Ansty Park in Coventry, will be a unique casting, design, simulation and advanced manufacturing research facility. It will focus initially on the key design and manufacture of castings. The building is scheduled to be completed next spring.

Alongside the High Temperature Research Centre, Wates is concurrently delivering the new £9m Aerospace Research Centre on behalf of the Manufacturing Technology Centre and the MTC’s £14m Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre. Together, the three R&D schemes will position Ansty Park as a pioneering new home for innovation excellence as part of an ambitious £90m expansion.

Phil Harrison, Managing Director, Wates Construction, Midlands & North, said: “The vision for Ansty Park sets the bar for innovative R&D facilities and when complete, will further add to Coventry and the Midlands’ global reputation for manufacturing excellence.

“We are proud to be entrusted with the delivery of the High Temperature Research Centre alongside that of the Aerospace Research Centre and the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre.”

Professor Jon Binner, deputy head of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Birmingham, said: “The new centre will build on the University of Birmingham’s existing research base and bring a new capability to what we are able to do. Our experience in the fields of casting, materials, engineering and manufacturing research is held in high regard already – and the dedicated facility will help us to build on this to benefit the manufacturing sector through research, collaboration and innovation.”

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