A multi-million pound National Transport Design Centre in Coventry will bring major advantages to the region’s automotive sector, industry leaders have been told
The NTDC at Coventry University brings together students, designers and manufacturers to advance the concept-to-production process of class-leading design and covers all aspects of transport design.
The Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) has supported the funding of the centre through a £7 million contribution through the Government’s Local Growth Fund.
The new centre has been established to boost design innovation in the sector and bridge a shortfall in creative skills and to explore and refine new design concepts.
Its state-of-the-art facilities include a six-metre interactive power wall, clay-milling facilities to create three-dimensional models and a projection mapping system that casts digital images on to three-dimensional objects, the NTDC is equipped for future design solutions.
Leading regional and national manufacturers, designers and local authority leaders were all in attendance at the Coventry and Warwickshire Automotive Dinner held at the NTDC.
Jonathan Browning, chairman of the CWLEP, said: “The National Transport Design Centre is a world class facility which builds on Coventry and Warwickshire’s strong innovation heritage and is further evidence of the region’s fantastic links between academia and industry.
“We’re delighted to have been able to secure £7 million of funding through the Local Growth Fund to make this exciting vision a reality.
“Not only will the NTDC play a major role in unlocking further growth potential, locally, regionally and nationally, it will be crucial in developing future talent and excellence within the automotive, manufacturing and engineering industries.”
The centre forms part of Coventry University’s Centre for Mobility Research and is now open for business. For more information, visit the website here.
