Urban Foresight was tasked to define how a proposed Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Advanced Manufacturing (CESAM) could enable innovation in the automotive manufacturing sector.

The Centre was to have a particular focus on the manufacturing of EVs and batteries due to its proximity to Nissan’s European manufacturing headquarters in Sunderland.

Our research involved close working with automotive manufacturers and suppliers across the UK.

We also reviewed how digitalisation and the Industrial Internet of Things could benefit to the economy of North East England through increased productivity and efficiency.

Working closely with the North East Automotive Alliance we developed a business case that secured significant funding. This included funding from the UK Government to host a Driving the Electric Revolution Centre.

The centre was built in 2019 as a £54.5 million joint venture between the North East Automotive Alliance, industry figures, and universities.

The centre is part of an International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP) in Sunderland. It is forecast the Park will attract around £400 million in private sector funding and create 7,000 jobs over the next 10-15 years.