Mulholland rails against Technology and Innovation Centres
The managing director of Draycott-based epm: technology has attacked the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) for spending £140m on six Technology and Innovation Centres. Graham Mulholland described the buy as a "soft option" for the government.
Speaking at an Insider round table event, Mulholland said he would like to see the government spending more money on supporting the supply chain side of the industry.
He said: "Most manufacturers in the Midlands need three or four big orders just to keep going. I'd like to see the government and the TSB invest more of the money they have into ensuring the relationships between the big manufacturers like Rolls-Royce and their supply chain remain healthy. This is what will keep the wheels of the industry turning."
Mulholland said a fraction of that amount of money could make a huge difference to his own firm.
He added: "The Technology Hubs are a soft option for the government – they're safe. The government could put £1m into epm: technology and we could have a new Delorean on our hands. But, of course, they can't be seen to be putting money into private companies."
Earlier this month, the TSB announced the first Technology and Innovation Centre in high value manufacturing (HVM) open for business. The TSB will be investing £140m over a six-year period which will it says will "stimulate manufacturing in the UK, reduce the risk of innovation for new and established UK manufacturing businesses and attract international business to the UK".
Additional centres in the Midlands will be at the Warwick Manufacturing Group at the University of Warwick, and the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry.
"I think the technology hubs are a load of rubbish," said Mulholland. "If Rolls-Royce spent £300,000 with us each year they'd have access to 40 highly-skilled people all year round.
"Companies like Jaguar Land Rover go to places like Warwick Manufacturing Group and look to develop something like a carbon fibre roof – but it takes so long. For us, and because of the fast-paced industry we operate in, that’s a three-week job. So, we'd urge them to come to us to help the manufacturing industry."
The Technology and Innovation Centre scheme is part of the government's plan to grow the UK economy. The new centre in high value manufacturing will be the first of at least six Technology and Innovation Centres to be established by April 2013.
