Construction work has begun to develop a new manufacturing district in Renfrewshire.

The work is taking place on the site of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS).

Key partners from the project took part in an event, which included a reception and tour of family-owned Inchinnan company Peak Scientific, who design and manufacture the world's leading gas generators used for laboratory analytics across a wide range of sectors including cancer research and screening newborns.

Renfrewshire pupils from Inchinnan Primary were also on hand to plant a tailor-made time capsule on the site, packed full of local manufacturing mementos together with the children's 'dream inventions' - covering everything from glasses that can see emotions to a self-navigating bike.


So what is AMIDS?

The AMIDS will be based next to Glasgow Airport and is expected to put Renfrewshire at the heart of Scotland's manufacturing industry.

View across the White Cart to the emerging innovation district Renfrewshire Council are leading the district's development in partnership with Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise and it is estimated it will create up to 6,000 jobs and boost Scotland's manufacturing sector by £535million in GVA a year.

A 52-hectare campus at the heart of the district will house companies harnessing new technologies and accessing cutting edge research.and the site is already confirmed as the location for the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland and the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre.

Work has now started on constructing the enabling infrastructure, which includes new roads, bridges, cycling routes and pedestrian walkways which is funded through the £1.13 billion Glasgow City Region City Deal, jointly funded by the UK and Scottish governments.

This work is scheduled for completion in early 2021 and will also strengthen connections to nearby Westway Park, Scotland's largest fully enclosed industrial distribution and office park, and to Inchinnan Business Park, home to more than 30 businesses including Rolls Royce PLC, Peak Scientific and the University of Strathclyde's Advanced Forming Research Centre.