NI firms to invest £8m in welding robots

Five Northern Ireland manufacturers are to invest almost £8m in robotic welding technology.

It is the first major collaboration directed by the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC).

AMIC is part of the Belfast Region City Deal and aims to help local businesses embrace new technology and processes.

The five manufacturers are Hyster Yale, Terex, Nugent Trailers, Four Dee and Datum Design.

The project involves almost £5m of funding from Invest NI with the rest of the money coming from the businesses.

Sam Turner, the chief executive of AMIC said that while robotic welding was not new it was being used alongside digital technologies to maximise productivity.

"The project will help businesses design their products and processes for automated welding, improve quality and productivity and address the gap in availability of experienced skilled welders," he added.

"Using open access equipment and facilities in AMIC, we are able to address common challenges and opportunities for the partner companies."

The project will create about 20 jobs across the five companies.

Like most of the projects run by AMIC it is not primarily about job creation but instead about trying to keep local businesses globally competitive.

Manufacturers across Europe are facing a huge competitive challenge from what economists call "the second China shock".

That refers to increasing Chinese domination of higher value manufacturing sectors like cars, batteries and chemicals.

Alan Donnelly, director at Magherafelt-based Four Dee, a steel fabrication firm, said participation in the project would allow them to improve how robotic welding was programmed and delivered.

"By developing off line, virtual programming methods, we hope to reduce downtime on the shop floor while improving efficiency and consistency across our products," he said.

"This collaboration will help us build a more adaptable, competitive welding operation and strengthen our ability to deliver large scale, custom machinery for customers at home and abroad."