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WMG hosts a visit from IET Chief Executive and former Vice-President

Nigel Fine and Dolores Byrne with Professor Lord BhattacharyyaWMG was pleased to host a visit by Nigel Fine, IET Chief Executive and Dolores Byrne, former Vice-President and Trustee of the IET.

Meeting with Professor Lord Bhattacharyya, they heard about the breadth of work that the Group undertakes, particularly the engagement with major UK companies to develop innovative products. They were also keen to understand how WMG has developed its education programmes where they were specifically interested to hear about the WMG Academy and the new Advanced Engineering Programme which sees WMG’s offering education in the range from 14 year olds to doctorate.

To gain a full insight into WMG, Nigel and Dolores were given a tour of WMG’s impressive R&D facilities to see first-hand the collaborative research the Group is involved in.

Alex Attridge shows the Product Evaluation Technologies facilityThe tour included all three of WMG’s R&D centres. Starting in the International Institute for Product and Service Innovation they met with Dr Greg Gibbons who discussed innovations in additive layer manufacturing, and Professor Tony McNally who introduced the new International Institute for Nanocomposite Manufacturing and current nanocomposite research. At the International Automotive Research Centre Professor Paul Jennings detailed research in energy storage, particularly the new Energy Innovation Centre. In the International Manufacturing Centre Dr Geraint Williams highlighted composite and lightweighting research and Dr Stuart McLeod demonstrating how companies can effectively automate systems. Finally, Dr Alex Attridge showcased measuring and metrology capabilities including the 3D powerwall.

Professor Lord Bhattacharyya said

We were delighted to host Nigel and Dolores and to be able to show them the breadth of work we carry out in research and education. Also, more importantly, the impact our programmes have had on industry and society over the last 34 years. It is important that we work with the professional institutions such as the IET to develop the future engineers that industry needs in order to continue to compete on the world stage.”

Nigel Fine, IET Chief Executive said

WMG is a hidden secret. There are so many interesting and practical activities undertaken that are having an impact on modern manufacturing. The diversity and scale of the investment is phenomenal and it is still continuing to grow. I’ve been impressed by the enthusiasm and excitement of the staff that I have met, being highly motivated and passionate about their research. WMG is definitely having an impact on UK manufacturing and society.”

Geraint Williams showing Materials research Paul Jennings shows the Energy Innovation Centre Greg Gibbons shows the Additive Layer Manufacturing facilities Professor Tony McNally discusses Nanocomposites

Thu 27 Mar 2014, 15:55 | Tags: Visits