Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering

This is a sector which is now facing new horizons, driven by a multitude of factors. It is growing exponentially, due to technological innovation and evolving customer behaviour, regulatory changes and a turbulent global landscape, requiring businesses to innovate with ever-increasing speed. With the advent of ‘Industry 4.0’, we are positioning ourselves as a global centre of excellence for AME.

We have been successful in locating several new companies to the Borough, most significantly, Alexander Dennis Ltd, who have set up a 30 person satellite facility in Ballymena.

Key Players

Why Mid & East Antrim?

Mid and East Antrim has a strong asset base in the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering sector with several global companies based in the area supported by a robust supply chain of smaller SMEs. We enjoy a positive relationship with both Queens University, Belfast and Ulster University in relation to research, development and innovation.

Working with companies through the MTF, Mid & East Antrim Borough are developing programmes to:

• Enhance productivity by embracing Lean and/or Six Sigma principles and investigating in new ways of working and by investing in capital equipment and automation;
• Develop innovative capabilities and capacities;
• Invest in upskilling or reskilling employees;
• Seek out and establish new partnerships and collaborative working partnerships;
• Invest in supply chain digitisation to better connect with customers, suppliers and partners to drive efficiency; and
• Identify ways in which to improve energy efficiency.

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