The contract, worth around £42 million, was awarded after the University of Strathclyde, as the operator of NMIS, approached the market with an Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) restricted tender process.
As part of the contract, Morrison Construction is committed to achieving the design team’s aspirations of the building being awarded BREEAM ‘outstanding’ for sustainability. To help achieve this, the team will look to use innovative technologies, a knowledge of building products and embrace the circular economy by using materials that have been, or can be, remanufactured and reused where possible. There will also be an avoidance of the most polluting materials, and where possible, the use of materials that are manufactured overseas will be designed out.
The new facility, which is being developed next to Glasgow Airport, within Netherton Campus, will house a fully digitalised factory of the future, skills academy and collaboration hub that will look to bring manufacturers together to work on the development of new manufacturing technologies and products. It will support manufacturing and engineering firms of all sizes and from all sectors across the country, and internationally, to innovate and grow.
Welcoming the contract award, Professor Sir Jim McDonald, principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Strathclyde, says: “Completing the rigorous tender process and appointing Morrison Construction to build the flagship National Manufacturing Institute Scotland facility is a highly significant step forward in the ongoing development of the NMIS group of world-class industrial research facilities.
“As the anchor University for NMIS, Strathclyde continues to work in close partnership with industrial, academic and public sector partners. Together we are making great strides towards creating the future of advanced manufacturing in Scotland, applying leading research capabilities to drive industrial innovation and supporting the country’s talented manufacturing and engineering sector.”
Eddie Robertson, MD of Morrison Construction Central, comments: “We are delighted to be working once more with our partners at the University of Strathclyde to deliver this important facility. It is always a privilege to be involved with a scheme such as this one that will transform manufacturing as we know it in Scotland.”
The announcement of the construction contract award comes just days after NMIS announced the appointment of John Reid as CEO. It also follows the signing of the grant-funding agreement between University of Strathclyde and Scottish Enterprise for the operating of NMIS and the completion of the land lease agreement for the site between the University and Renfrewshire Council. The build is expected to commence as soon as possible after current guidance around non-essential construction work is revised. It is expected to be completed around 18 months after build work commences.