North East England is the home of manufacturing innovation and it has continued to build on its worldwide reputation as a centre for automotive manufacturing excellence and attract significant investment and R&D capabilities in battery technologies.
Some of the world’s largest automotive OEMs including Nissan, Komatsu and Caterpillar, are located here alongside a well-established global chain of tier-one suppliers and a wealth of specialist SMEs. Recent investment from Nissan, AESC and Turntide Technologies totalling over £2 billion in Gigafactories and electrification technologies have created a vibrant industrial cluster
We are proud to say one of Europe’s most productive car plants, Nissan, is located in the region and has based its success around its 6,000-strong loyal workforce. More than 240 other automotive companies are located in the North East, many with large-scale manufacturing operations serving national and international markets. Not only do they export across the globe but they lead the way in the research and development of innovative products and pioneering technologies.
An Innovative Industry Cluster
North East England’s talent, skills and expertise in electrification extends across the entire ecosystem from whole life-cycle battery capabilities, off highway applications and energy systems, to net zero and power electronics, machines and drives. All aspects of the supply chain can be found in the region.
Electrification companies investing in North East England can seamlessly integrate into the region’s collaborative and innovative cluster, as well as its connected and established supply chain and manufacturing ecosystem.
North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA)
The NEAA is an industry-led and membership-based network to overcome barriers to growth and support manufacturing businesses. It undertakes a range of activities providing access to research and intelligence, benchmarking and skills practice. It provides a focal point to drive innovation and adopt new technologies and processes through collaboration, business advice and access to funding. The NEAA is led by industry for industry, providing a unified voice for the automotive sector and an opportunity to engage with industry-led projects to increase the competitiveness of the electrification business base.
The North East Automotive Alliance has established a dedicated industry cluster, EV North, to build upon existing regional assets, capabilities and skills in battery technology, power electronics and electric motors and increase the level of research, development and innovation activities.
Projects led to date include:
- £4.9m 5G Connected & Automated Logistics (CAL) proof of concept for a fully autonomous automated 40 tonne truck operating between Vantec and Nissan, funded by 5G Create.
- £8.1m V-CAL project, which secured £4 million from the government’s £42 million Commercialising Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) competition through CCAV, to commercialise the CAL technologies developed under the 5G CAL project.
- National Innovation Centre for Connected and Autonomous Logistics (NICCAL).
Supply Chain North East empowers businesses to diversify their offering, expand their customer base and access untapped opportunities
CPI
Based at NETPark (North East Technology Park) in Country Durham, CPI is a technology innovation centre and a partner of government’s elite High Value Manufacturing Catapult. It uses applied knowledge in science and engineering, combined with state of the art facilities, to enable companies to develop, prove,
prototype and scale up the next generation of products and processes. Providing product and process
development facilities and expertise in specific areas, one of the major markets that benefits directly from CPI’s work is the transportation sector.
The Advanced Manufacturing Forum (AMF)
The AMF is the largest manufacturing forum in the North East, dedicated to supporting organisations from a range of manufacturing sectors.
Regional Technology Centre (RTC) North
RTC is a well-established consultancy that works with manufacturing companies to facilitate innovation through accessing expertise within the region’s universities.
North East Tees Valley Digital Catapult
Digital Catapult NETV helps the region’s businesses transform their operations by accelerating the application of emerging digital technologies. The centre has worked successfully with major companies such as Nissan and Komatsu.