Ulster University has welcomed the official opening of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC), an almost £100m Belfast Region City Deal investment led by Queen’s University Belfast in partnership with Ulster University and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, supporting innovation, growth and the future of manufacturing in Northern Ireland.
The Centre is expected to create up to 1,500 jobs across Northern Ireland, contribute £1.3bn to the economy and support the training of 300 apprentices by 2050.
Located at Global Point in Newtownabbey, AMIC’s Factory of the Future has been operational since April 2026 and was officially opened this week by Minister for Northern Ireland Sarah Owen MP, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, Minister for the Economy Dr Caoimhe Archibald, Finance Minister John O’Dowd, MP for South Antrim Robin Swann and Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Councillor Henry Cushinan.
How will AMIC support Northern Ireland's manufacturing sector?
AMIC has been designed for industry and in response to the needs of the evolving advanced manufacturing sector in Northern Ireland, with businesses and industry partners helping to shape its capabilities. In its first six months, the AMIC team has welcomed businesses from across Northern Ireland and beyond, providing them with access to cutting-edge facilities, specialist engineering expertise and collaboration opportunities that will drive business growth.
The Centre, funded in partnership with Queen’s University, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and Ulster University, is part of a wider £230m transformational programme of innovation, led by Queen’s and supported by the UK Government and Northern Ireland Executive through the Belfast Region City Deal.
Professor Paul Seawright, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Ulster University said:
"The official opening of AMIC marks a significant milestone for advanced manufacturing in Northern Ireland. Through partnership with Queen's University Belfast, industry and government, we are helping to create a world-class centre that will enable businesses to innovate, embrace new technologies and compete on a global stage.
"As a university with a strong track record in applied research, skills development and industry collaboration, Ulster University is proud to be a partner in an initiative that will generate economic growth, develop future talent and support the transition to a more productive and sustainable manufacturing sector."
President and Vice-Chancellor of Queen's University Belfast, Professor Sir Ian Greer said:
“Universities have an important role to play in supporting local businesses to innovate and adapt, and by bringing together academic expertise and industry experience, AMIC enables us to work directly with manufacturers to address real-world challenges. This close collaboration is central to how Queen’s contributes to Northern Ireland’s future and is a key component of the Belfast Region City Deal programme of investment.
“Alongside our other two transformational Queen’s-led Belfast Region City Deal innovation centres, Momentum One Zero and iREACH Health, AMIC will help deliver lasting economic and social benefits for people across this region and beyond.”
What technologies will businesses be able to access through AMIC?
AMIC’s expert engineering team supports businesses to explore and adopt technologies that may not otherwise be available to them in-house, helping them address future technology, skills and sustainability challenges.
Engineers are already deploying technologies including robotics and automation, advanced materials, digital twins, artificial intelligence, advanced metrology and machining to improve productivity, efficiency and industry competitiveness.
Among the major projects currently under way is the £9.5 million Project 4WARD, which is focused on advancing welding automation in partnership with Hyster-Yale, Terex, 4DNI, Nugent Trailers and Datum Tool Design, with support from Invest NI.
Alongside digitalisation and automation, the Factory of the Future team is tackling some of the biggest challenges facing manufacturers - from energy efficiency and renewable energy to circularity and resource use. By developing and applying these technologies, its work is helping businesses move towards a more productive, competitive and low-carbon future.
Speaking at the official opening, Minister for Northern Ireland Sarah Owen MP said:
“AMIC is a beacon for innovation which reinforces Northern Ireland’s reputation as an ideal hub for global investment and is key to an exciting future for manufacturing in Northern Ireland.
“This world-class centre bridges the gap between groundbreaking academic research and real-world commercial application, bringing together Queen’s University Belfast, Ulster University and industry partners under one roof.
“I’m proud that the UK Government’s investment of almost £80 million in this centre through the Belfast City Deal, together with partners’ support, will supercharge Northern Ireland business competitiveness, drive decarbonisation, invest in local talent and create high-value jobs.”
Minister for the Economy Dr Caoimhe Archibald added:
“This flagship investment demonstrates the power of partnership between central and local government, industry and our universities to drive economic transformation. The state-of-the-art facility will help businesses innovate, boost productivity and seize new opportunities in global markets. By providing manufacturers with access to world-class expertise, advanced technologies and collaborative research, AMIC will support the growth of a more competitive, regionally balanced and sustainable economy.
“The benefits of this will be felt across the north through stronger businesses, higher-value jobs and enhanced skills for future generations, helping to ensure long-term prosperity for communities and industry alike.”
