Representatives from the rail sector have been given their first glimpse of a new £1.4 million centre in Derby which aims to support companies in the supply chain.
The University of Derby recently opened the doors of its Rail Research and Innovation Centre (RRIC), at Lonsdale House, to representatives from rail supply chain firms.
Derby is home to the largest cluster of rail companies in the world, including train manufacturer Bombardier.
According to the university, it is hoped that the RRIC will enhance the skills of 80 or more rail sector employees, while also supporting around 80 supply chain businesses, 15 new collaborative research projects and shepherding 20 companies through innovation funding applications by 2022.
The centre was developed thanks to a £900,000 grant from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership’s Local Growth Fund.
The funding has allowed for the purchase of three technology ‘demonstrators’ to help improve innovation and productivity within the rail industry, particularly in advanced rail composite design and manufacture, rail data analytics and artificial intelligence and future rail propulsion.
Professor Warren Manning, pro vice-chancellor and dean of the University of Derby’s College of Engineering and Technology, said: “We are grateful to D2N2’s Local Growth Fund for the support it has given the University of Derby to develop this superb facility.
“The Rail Research and Innovation Centre will provide expertise and technology with the capacity to transform the development of rail transport, allowing organisations to get the best value out of data and find better ways of decarbonising the railways.
“Secondly, it will provide opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises in the rail supply chain and associated industries to collaborate with us in innovative and exciting ways.
“This will help to put them at the cutting edge of the industry, unlocking opportunities for them not just regionally and nationally, but potentially across the world too.”
Tom Goshawk, capital projects manager at D2N2, said: “The Rail Research and Innovation Centre project has provided an excellent opportunity for D2N2 LEP to invest in the important rail industry in Derby.
“Transport equipment manufacturing is a sector of great importance to the D2N2 area and this investment enables greater efficiencies and enhances the inward investment offer to rail supply chain businesses in the region.”
