Interserve scoops contract for Factory 2050

INTERSERVE Construction has been awarded the contract to build the University of Sheffield’s £43m Factory 2050 project at the Sheffield Business Park.

Factory 2050 will be the latest development by the University’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre with Boeing.

It will also be the first building on a new Advanced Manufacturing Campus, which could result in the University building up to a million square feet of new research facilities on the site over the next seven to 10 years.

The state-of-the-art research facility aims to be the world’s most advanced factory when completed in 2015.

The European Regional Development Fund and the Higher Education Funding Council for England-have both backed the project, which brings together government, business and academics to drive innovation vital for the UK economy.

John Gittins, Yorkshire divisional director of Interserve said, “This isn’t just another project for Interserve, it is the opportunity to work on a truly world class project that will help to ensure the region remains at the forefront of the advanced manufacturing sector. The building design is unique and the completed project will provide a superb environment for both researchers and engineers.

“During the construction phase we will adopt a considerate approach as always to minimise disruption and keep all stakeholders updated in respect of project progress.

“We will also develop a bespoke plan to maximise local small and medium enterprise involvement and generate as many employment and training opportunities as possible to provide a real legacy for the surrounding area.”

Professor Keith Ridgway, executive dean of the University of Sheffield’s AMRC with Boeing said, “The start on site for Factory 2050 represented an important milestone in the continuing development of cutting edge technology in the region.”

“Our ambition is for Factory 2050 to be the most advanced factory in the world.

“Over the last ten years, our initial vision of creating a centre where engineering research is translated into real practical applications for world-leading industries has been hugely successful. Factory 2050 is a vital next step in ensuring we can maximise the opportunities and benefits to the Sheffield City Region and secure our place as an international centre for excellence in advanced manufacturing, and it will be very exciting to see the development take shape over the coming months.”