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Advanced manufacturing
The Portsmouth city region is recognised for its world-leading advanced manufacturing companies, and in particular its thriving cluster of aerospace companies. Over the years, it has attracted some leading edge companies including Lockheed Martin, Northrup Grumman, EADS Astrium, TÜV Product Service, Meggitt Avionics, Vector Aerospace and Eaton to name but a few.
The city region is also widely recognised for its established clusters in defence, marine and automotive and continues to attract some great names. In recent years the highest profile is McLaren Automotive that has based its composites facility here, and is where the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren begins its life. The operation focuses on the complex, high-precision assembly process and makes the most critical of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren's carbon fibre components.
Advanced manufacturing companies such as McMurdo, Pall Europe, QinetiQ, Rolls-Royce, BVT and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals are all located in the Portsmouth city region and benefit from the wealth of training, education, research facilities and supply of skilled labour on offer. McLaren Composites and Lewmar work closely with the University of Portsmouth and in particular, students on Product Design degrees who specialise in rapid proto-typing. They help produce prototype models over-night rather than in 12 weeks, saving companies thousands of pounds and allowing designers to undertake more successful products as better, faster and more design iterations can be made.
