Launch of multi-million pound engineering institute in Derby

A high-quality research and development centre, the IISE is the University of Derby’s latest investment to support advanced manufacturing in the city. It is supported by Rolls-Royce, car manufacturer Toyota and train maker Bombardier and is specifically designed to support small and medium-sized businesses in the area.

Professor Richard Hall, Director of the IISE, said: “This is a hugely significant and important development for engineering and manufacturing in Derby and the region. The IISE brings together the skills and experience of the University of Derby collaboratively with those of leading businesses from across the area.

“All the people who attended today, without exception, have bought into our vision of creating a halfway house between academia and industry for mutual benefit. It is about research, skills and innovation and marrying all of those together for common goals. “Derby was the fastest growing city in the country last year by GVA (gross value added) and we want to further support and add value to local companies, providing them access to the latest research findings and advanced technologies. “Institutes such as this are a relatively new idea, particularly for Derby city and the region and I think this is going to be instrumental in creating a sea change in local activity to reinforce that this is the best place in the world for making high-value products.”

Partnerships with machinery suppliers including DMG Mori Seiki, Renishaw, Eley Metrology, World Viz and Creat3d mean that the Institute has the very latest technological resources available to provide cutting edge solutions to business challenges.
The IISE is headed by Professor Hall, who has an international reputation in aerospace, automotive and high-value manufacturing industries.

The University will invest £10m in the Institute and £3m has been added by industry, as well as a further £30m-worth of successful bids, including one from the Regional Growth Fund.