One of the world’s largest car manufacturers has become the latest member of Coventry’s Manufacturing Technology Centre, joining the Ansty Park-based MTC as a Tier Two member. MTC engineers and technicians will work with General Motors experts on manufacturing-process innovation and commercialisation.

MTC chief executive Clive Hickman (pictured) said: “It is a great honour that General Motors has chosen to join the Manufacturing Technology Centre. This is a ringing endorsement of our capabilities.”

The MTC, which opened in 2011, is a partnership between some of the UK’s major global manufacturers and three universities — Birmingham, Nottingham and Loughborough — as well as TWI Ltd, the operating division of The Welding Institute.

It is structured to link OEMs and manufacturing suppliers, bridging the gap between research and the development of innovative manufacturing systems, in line with the Government’s manufacturing strategy.

It is one of seven centres across the UK that form the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, established by the Government to provide a stimulus for British manufacturing.

Mr Hickman said the centre was established to prove innovative manufacturing processes and technologies in an ‘agile’ environment in partnership with industry, academia and other institutions.

“Our incredible growth from a standing start is based on work generated by our members, the support of our research partners, the commitment of MTC employees and the support of the UK Government. We have developed a strong aerospace, defence, automotive and ICT expertise, and we are active in several sectors.”