HVM Catapult Baglan will be managed by WMG in collaboration with AMRC Cymru, which will run the digital factory hub. The hub has been granted £1.5 million of Welsh Government innovation funding and will showcase the latest digital technologies including a SMART workbench, advanced robotics, virtual and augmented reality and additive manufacturing.
Manufacturing is a cornerstone of the Welsh economy, contributing almost a fifth (18.4%) of its output, or £11.3 billion annually, and supporting 147,000 jobs. Despite this, investment in research and development in Wales is only 40% of the UK average, and many small and medium-sized enterprises remain innovation-inactive. HVM Catapult’s Baglan hub aims to change this by driving research, development and innovation across South Wales’ industrial base.
The facility, opened by Rebecca Evans, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning at the Welsh Government, is expected to unlock up to £18million in additional gross value added (GVA) annually within five years by helping manufacturers improve their productivity, efficiency and sustainability through the adoption of digital solutions.
