Manufacturing Boosted by Launch of Wolverhampton's Smart Factory Innovation Centre
By Anushka Malhotra
1 minute 33 seconds
Tech

Share:

Quick Read: Atlas Copco unveils its new Smart Factory Innovation Centre in Wolverhampton, aiming to revolutionise UK manufacturing with advanced digital and sustainable technologies.
Atlas Copco Tools and Industrial Assembly Solutions has furthered its dedication to the digital transformation of the manufacturing sector by unveiling a cutting-edge Smart Factory Innovation Centre. This advanced facility, situated at i54 on the Wolverhampton-Staffordshire border, was inaugurated by Councillor Stephen Simkins, Leader of City of Wolverhampton Council, and Councillor Roger Lees, Leader of South Staffordshire Council.
The i54 technology-based business park is a collaborative venture between City of Wolverhampton Council, Staffordshire County Council, and South Staffordshire Council.Atlas Copco, a Swedish-owned global leader in industrial productivity solutions for diverse markets such as automotive, aerospace, electronics, and renewable energy, has made a significant investment to revamp its existing building into this UK-first Smart Factory Innovation Centre. The Centre will serve as a demonstration and training hub for Atlas Copco’s advanced smart tooling, industrial assembly systems, and machine vision solutions, powered by Ericsson’s private 5G network. This network will provide a state-of-the-art 'Industry 4.0' deployment, blending human skills with secure, real-time wireless technology.
The facility includes a simulated factory environment, allowing Atlas Copco to showcase its comprehensive range of solutions. These include customisable, 5G-enabled tool control software, the latest error-proofing systems, and cutting-edge inspection solutions featuring 3D laser technology.
During the ribbon-cutting event, Councillors Simkins and Lees explored the Centre's operations and met with current apprentices and recent graduates, gaining insights into how Atlas Copco is fostering the next generation of smart manufacturing leaders.
Councillor Simkins highlighted the significance of the i54 business park in driving industrial innovation, stating,
"Atlas Copco’s new Smart Factory Innovation Centre will provide manufacturing businesses from the West Midlands and beyond with a competitive advantage by enhancing efficiencies and sustainability."
James McAllister, General Manager at Atlas Copco Tools and Industrial Assembly Solutions, emphasised the company’s ongoing commitment to innovation, saying,
"This major investment in our Midlands operations underscores our mission to create a smart manufacturing ecosystem. Our Centre will enable customers to digitalise production processes and achieve sustainability goals through real-time data insights from our industry-leading tools and systems. We eagerly anticipate welcoming customers and industry partners in 2024."
The Smart Factory Innovation Centre is part of a broader initiative to strengthen the region’s manufacturing capabilities and promote sustainability in industrial processes.
What's new

Greater Things Secures Seed Funding to Scale Support for Idea-Stage Founders Across the UK

Greater Things, the organisation behind one of the UK’s most inclusive early-stage founder support models, has secured seed funding from a group of strategic business angels. This raise marks a significant milestone in their journey to empower non-technical, idea-stage tech founders and scale their impact nationally.
Since launching, Greater Things has focused on removing traditional barriers to entry in tech entrepreneurship. Their programmes combine pre-seed capital, structured guidance, and AI/no-code-powered MVP development, enabling founders to build and launch ventures without requiring a technical co-founder.
Over the past three years, Greater Things has delivered high-impact support to more than 55 founders, working in partnership with regional authorities and universities across the West Midlands. Their efforts have been backed by organisations such as the West Midlands Combined Authority, Birmingham City University, and SuperTech WM, laying a strong foundation for scalable, inclusive innovation.
Jof Walters, Founder & CEO Greater Things said:
With 75% of Seeds Programme founders still active, the data speaks for itself: this partnership works.
Hilary Smyth-Allen, CEO, SuperTech WM said:
We’re proud to be recognised as one of the most inclusive and effective early-stage investors in the UK—and we’re just getting started.
This seed investment will allow Greater Things to accelerate the pace and reach of their investment programmes, with plans to expand operations across the UK. The focus remains on founders at the earliest stage — those with promising ideas but limited access to capital or technical teams — offering them a structured path from concept to product.
By Anushka Malhotra
29 May
An image of the outside of selfridges in birmingham from below looking up. You can see the iconic silver circles with the blue background of the building and the sky on a sunny day
Proudly Backed By Our Patrons
About
About Us
Meet The Team
What's Happening
Updates
Events
Birmingham Tech Week
Contact
https://twitter.com/TechWestMids
https://www.linkedin.com/company/techwm/
mailto:marketing@techwm.com
TechWM Logo in blue and grey
AND Digital Logo
Contentful Logo