
AMRC Cymru is part of the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre and a member of the High Value Manufacturing (HVM)Catapult – a consortium of leading manufacturing and process research centres.
The goal of AMRC Cymru is to help the region’s manufacturing community access advanced technologies that will drive improvements in productivity, performance and quality.
Following a competitive tender exercise, Lodestone was appointed to undertake the refurbishment of part of the larger space at AMRC Cymru, Broughton, North Wales, alongside the design and installation of a hydrogen fuel cell/future propulsion unit assembly demonstrator.
The key challenge related to programme, as the project was procured in September 2021 and the works had to be completed by March 2022.
The project contained elements of steel, cladding, aluminium and glass, with each meaning significant lead-in periods. To meet the required completion date, we tabled an alternative programme, providing an extended lead-in for design and manufacture. Elsewhere, a 10-week installation period on site meant we could meet our client’s objectives. Due to the precision required for all materials, design management and quality control were absolutely key.
The project was delivered early with zero snags at handover. There were no COVID, health and safety or other incidents throughout the project. The University did not experience any disruption throughout the works, either.
The facility is now being fitted out with the University’s robots, which will form the hydrogen fuel cell/future propulsion unit assembly demonstrator.