Issue 4 • Spring 2008
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
Attracting Technology to Telford... 2 The Power of Partnership... 3 Changing face of Wolverhampton... 3 Protomold Case Study... 4 Contact WTTC... 4
CHAMPIONING TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION The new West Midlands Economic Strategy highlights the continuing importance of Technology Corridors in targeting resources to support the diversification of our economy into higher value added sectors. Within the Technology Corridor we enjoy a significant concentration of major knowledge assets and important communication links. These resources – together with the representation in technology-rich sectors such as ICT and Aerospace and most importantly our people – mean we are well placed to stimulate technology based economic growth. Within both Telford and Wolverhampton plans for massive multimillion pound developments in housing, retail, transport and new commercial developments are already underway. Through the work of the WTTC these developments will be coordinated with technology-based initiatives to help create growth in knowledge-based activity so critical to our future economic prosperity.
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Out of the Sub-National Review, City Region and Science City initiatives it is clear there will be an increased role for the WTTC. Our aim is to re-focus attention and resources on those sectors and technologies that will drive forward growth and employment in higher value added sectors the Technology Corridor.
As a more strategic-level body WTTC will focus on: • Foresighting to target growth markets and sectors • Facilitating collaborative working • Mobilising greater resources from across our partnership
The overall objectives are now to: • Develop a coordinated and integrated programme of initiatives to deliver technology-rich economic growth and expansion
The coming year will be an important and exciting period for the Wolverhampton Telford Technology Corridor (WTTC) as we move into the next phase of our ambitious plans to encourage innovation, stimulate new enterprise and attract new investment to the Technology Corridor. The roles of regeneration and economic development agencies such as Transforming Telford and the Wolverhampton Development Company are now starting to develop. Consequently it is important that the WTTC creates a strategic and policy framework with key partners that coordinates activity and builds on the solid foundation laid by us over the last few years. This issue looks at our future role and some of the exciting developments taking place in Wolverhampton and Telford. We hope you’ll agree the technology base of the area is creating a positive image for our region which can only lead to more investment and growth.
Mike Norris - Director Wolverhampton Telford Technology Corridor
• Focus on, and drive forward, a core set of priority projects with most impact within Technology, Enterprise, Innovation, Investment, and Skills • Act as catalyst for technology based enterprise, investment, innovation and skills.
ATTRACTING TECHNOLOGY TO TRANSFORM TELFORD Transforming Telford, the Economic Development Company for Telford and Wrekin, is responsible for the long-term transformation of the town helping to create a strong and sustainable community enabling Telford to fulfil its wider role as a sub-regional focus for growth.
a vibrant and sustainable heart. By capitalising on its outstanding location and broadening its cultural, leisure, retail and residential appeal, the town centre will attract more people to live and work in and around Telford. It will also help to attract and retain valuable graduates and professionals to the area.
Chief Executive, Sarah Raper explains: “The strategy to achieve our goals involves a close working partnership with the Wolverhampton Telford Technology Corridor (WTTC) and the University of Wolverhampton to help raise the profile of Telford within the business community as well as promoting the area as a leading technology centre in the West Midlands.
Apollo Real Estate/Hark Group bolstered the future of the Town Centre with their £440 million acquisition of the shopping centre last summer. The developers revealed plans for a mixed use scheme called ‘The Round’, drawn up by Benoy which masterplanned Birmingham’s Bull Ring.
“This is being achieved by driving economic growth and investment as well as physical regeneration and development. Our founding partners, Advantage West Midlands (AWM), national regeneration agency English Partnerships (EP) and Telford & Wrekin Council are fully supportive of these proposals.” In order to secure Telford’s continued prosperity and attract technology companies the town’s infrastructure has to be able to support the needs of its workforce. Key to this is the transformation of the Town Centre into
Together with expansion plans for the International Centre and Transforming Telford’s plans for the redevelopment of Southwater, all partners are working hard to move this exciting project forward.
Key Sites There are two key sites within the WTTC earmarked for development, with a focus on encouraging innovative and technology-based businesses to relocate to the area. One is the 69 hectare site (170 acres) at Lakeside, which brings together employment, residential and education opportunities
“COMMITMENT TO DEVELOPING AND PROMOTING TELFORD AS A KEY CENTRE FOR TECHNOLOGY AND THE CREATION OF QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE IS AT THE HEART OF THE MASTERPLAN”
that will link to facilities at the University of Wolverhampton’s Telford Campus. The success of the e-Innovation Centre has been phenomenal, and attention is now turning to providing accommodation to businesses once they have completed their inception in the incubator facility, which is currently full to capacity. The site plans currently provide around 60,000 sq m (645,000 sq ft) of high quality offices and grow-on space for high-tech, high-growth companies. Transforming Telford is working with all partners including land owners Bovale, the University, Telford & Wrekin Council and Advantage West Midlands in the delivery of the wider project. The other site that will be the focus of significant development is the current Science and Technology Park at Nedgehill. Around 24 hectares (60 acres) is to re-branded as Telford Technology Park and firmly re-establish it as a major opportunity for technology-based businesses. Sarah Raper believes the partnership between WTTC and Transforming Telford forms an important part of the future growth and development of Telford. She said: ”Commitment to developing and promoting Telford as a key centre for technology and the creation of quality infrastructure is at the heart of the masterplan. There is still much to be done, but confidence in the cause and commitment to following through our overall aims will benefit the town, the people and the economy.”
Image top left: Plans for the town centre were launched at a business meeting in Telford. Image top middle: Artist’s impression of Southwater Street; part of the renaissance of Telford town centre. Image top right: Transforming Telford’s Chief Executive, Sarah Raper.
“BEING PART OF THE TECHNOLOGY CORRIDOR WILL LEAD TO MORE INVESTMENT AND MORE VALUE ADDED JOBS.”
HARNESSING THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIPS Wolverhampton is poised for a period of radical growth and the newly formed Wolverhampton Development Company is working to maximise the benefits for all Officially launched at the beginning of the year, Wolverhampton Development Company’s aim is to increase the pace, scale and quality of growth opportunities to create a sustainable and prosperous future for Wolverhampton. This is being achieved by providing private and public sector partners with one point of contact and a fresh way of working together. WDC’s most important task is to help attract and grow businesses to create 30,000 new jobs by 2031. One of the key schemes WDC will assist with is the i54 technology-based business park planned for land adjacent to junction 2 of the M54. Working closely with Advantage West Midlands, Wolverhampton Telford Technology Corridor and other partners, WDC is looking forward to seeing the 90 hectare site turn into a thriving employment opportunity with over 6000 jobs.
“IT’S IMPORTANT WE GROW OUR KNOWLEDGE-BASED ECONOMY” Stephen Catchpole, WDC Chief Executive, said: “In order to realise the region’s potential and transform Wolverhampton into one of the most successful cities of the 21st century, we need to create and nurture new markets and investment. It’s important we grow our knowledge-based economy alongside the industrial sectors and i54 is key to achieving this. “Now AWM has started the process to select a preferred developer, the project is really taking shape. Encouraging innovation and enterprise, i54 will offer opportunities to small, medium and large companies. I’m confident the scheme will be an enormous success.” Image: Stephen Catchpole, Chief Executive of Wolverhampton Development Company
Image: Artist’s impression of Summer Row.
CHANGING FACE OF WOLVERHAMPTON Through the delivery of commercial development opportunities, WDC believes Wolverhampton has the potential to become a city of regional, national and international significance. As a catalyst for change, WDC’s role is to facilitate, remove obstacles, open doors and develop real partnerships. “In any project there are a number of organisations involved and issues to resolve to ensure a successful outcome,” explained WDC Chief Executive, Stephen Catchpole. “Our role is to focus on delivery and achieving timely results by building effective partnerships with the different parties involved.” In addition to i54, WDC has made connections with some of the most exciting redevelopments in the city including Interchange. Stephen
Catchpole said: “Revitalising the city’s transport hub will be vital to the city and surrounding area’s success.” Interchange will be a £180 million transformation of the bus and train stations. The scheme will create a new cafe quarter around the Broad Street Canal Basin and include shops, restaurants, a casino and a four-star hotel. In addition, creating a new £300 million retail quarter, Summer Row will be one of Wolverhampton’s key landmark developments. Providing 600,000 sq ft the scheme will consist of 85 shop units, 365,000 sq ft of leisure space and 15,000 sq ft of cafe, bars and restaurant space. Summer Row will also include 140 apartments and 800 car parking spaces. Stephen Catchpole added: “These exciting schemes are vital for their scale and quality and we are pleased that they will create high quality spaces in which the people of Wolverhampton can live, work and thrive. Being part of the Wolverhampton Telford Technology Corridor will also generate additional opportunities and will help create new businesses and attract technology-led companies which will lead to more investment and more value added jobs.”
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PROTOMOLD CASE STUDY
YOU DESIGN, WE DELIVER… SIMPLE. Time has not stood still for Protomold after winning the 2007 Technology Award at the Shropshire Chamber Business Awards. The company has doubled its turnover, increased its staff and expanded its premises in Telford and in January 2008 launched a new service ‘First Cut Prototype’ which has been a resounding success.
With an expanding base across Europe, customers upload 3D CAD files and information over the internet; receive a quote and feedback on the design and compatibility issues within one business day before placing an order on line.
“Being located in a Technology Corridor is important; having that knowledge bank available and being able to tap into all the support from places like the University of Wolverhampton is invaluable. Companies should investigate, utilise and leverage every aspect of technology to drive their business forward.” He said.
“COMPANIES SHOULD INVESTIGATE, UTILISE AND LEVERAGE EVERY ASPECT OF TECHNOLOGY TO DRIVE THEIR BUSINESS FORWARD.” Damian Hennessey of Protomold says embracing technology is critical to the survival and growth of the company whether this is the development of software, utilising ICT or purchasing bespoke injection moulding and milling machines.
Image: Launching the 2008 Awards, Damian Hennessey and Mike Norris.
First Cut Prototype is an example of a customer led service which embraces new technology, offering CNC machined plastic parts using real materials like acrylic, polypropylene and PEAK. One day quoting makes this a very cost effective and fast way of producing functional prototypes without the need for tooling.
The Wolverhampton Telford Technology Corridor has a 20 year vision to create a “Technology Hub” and has harnessed £30 million of investment in the first three years of operation. We provide the infrastructure for enterprise and entrepreneurship, business incubator units, mentoring, consultancy and business advice. We promote innovation and technology in new and existing businesses and work with partners and the private sector to encourage investment in new facilities or business support projects. Led and supported by the University of Wolverhampton, additional funding is through Advantage West Midlands and the European Regional Development Fund.
Sponsoring the Award for Technology again in 2008, Director of Wolverhampton Telford Technology Corridor (WTTC) Mike Norris said: “We champion technology and innovation and see this as being critical to the future economic development of the area. “Protomold exemplify the use of technology in delivering rapid prototyping solutions using a blend of technology with engineering skills, knowledge of plastics and software applications”. Damian Hennessey from Protomold added: “We were new to the area and winning the award was a tremendous boost for our workforce, recognising the progress we had made in developing our technology to provide the best possible products and customer service.” www.firstcut.eu www.protomold.co.uk
FURTHER INFORMATION Contact: Kim Gilmour, Marketing & Communications Manager Wolverhampton Telford Technology Corridor, University of Wolverhampton SH109, Telford Campus, Priorslee, Telford TF2 9NT Tel: 01902 323993 Fax: 01902 321653 E-mail: info@technology-corridor.co.uk Web: www.technology-corridor.co.uk
View this document online at www.wttc.co.uk
Design: www.debutcreate.com
Protomold offers a next business day service for rapid injection moulded parts that can be used as functional prototypes, to bridge production gaps and for short-runs.