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G&S Architecture produced a walk through video of the centre being developed.
Opening in summer 2025, the new £5.6m Manufacturing Innovation Centre Moray (MICM) will build on the area's manufacturing strengths providing a hub for support and advice to companies locally and across the Highlands and Islands.
Located at Enterprise Park Forres, once completed, MICM will provide diagnostics, advice, information, signposting, access to funding, and brokerage services to manufacturing companies across the area.
Its primary focus will be on stimulating innovation and growth in product and process development, with a strong emphasis on transitioning to low carbon practices.
There will be space in the building for business start-up incubation and space for existing business to undertake innovation projects, as well as demonstration facilities showcasing advanced technology and equipment.
The centre will enable a step-change in manufacturing innovation and R&D across the Moray business base. It will also create higher paid job opportunities helping to attract and retain young people, growing the already skilled workforce across Moray.
HIE is leading the development which has the following key objectives:
MICM will focus on supporting and developing innovation in product and process development. There will be a strong emphasis on helping companies transition to low-carbon practices, contributing to net-zero targets.
The new hub and services will include:
MICM is about innovation, growth, productivity, and efficiency in Moray’s indigenous manufacturing companies and increasing the number of manufacturing start-ups in the area. It will encourage more R&D and help attract inward investment.David Reid, Area Manager Moray, Highlands and Islands Enterprise
With one in six jobs in Moray in manufacturing, the area punches well above its weight in terms of exporting, GDP per head and contribution to Scottish GDP.
There is a strong base of skills in manufacturing and engineering with 50 out of the 115 whisky distilleries in Scotland in Moray. The area is also home to the global headquarters of a number of household brands.
Moray is the manufacturing focus of the North Coast Space Cluster (NCSC). Orbex operates a launcher production facility at Enterprise Park Forres, designing and building the rockets that will launch from Sutherland Spaceport. Orbex is at the centre of a new cluster of local businesses providing services and products to the growing space sector and using data for commercial purposes and academic research.
Related news about the Manufacturing Innovation Centre Moray and the Moray Growth Deal.
A £1.3m contract has been awarded for the refurbishment of a building on Enterprise Park Forres to create the new Manufacturing Innovation Centre Moray (MICM).
Plans to establish a new facility in Moray that is expected to support up to 300 manufacturing jobs in the next ten years have secured up to £5.6m capital investment.
Published on 21/10/2024
of jobs in the Moray economy in manufacturing (figure 2022)
people employed in manufacturing in Moray
of Moray economy GVA generated by manufacturing
out of the 135 whisky distilleries in Scotland based in Moray
MICM is one of eight strategic projects of the £100m Moray Growth Deal, aiming to boost economic growth and competitiveness in Moray. It's a partnership involving the UK and Scottish Governments, Moray Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, NHS, and various public, private, and third-sector partners. Funding for the project includes over £4 million from UK and Scottish Governments and £2.56 million from HIE.
