BUSINESSES focussed on manufacturing and innovation are being urged to attend the second in a series of events hosted by Sumer Northern Ireland, aimed at helping companies to understand and avail of the innovation incentives available to maximise growth and expansion.
Entitled the Sumer NI Innovation Series: Unlocking Innovation with AMIC, the event will be hosted at the newly opened Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre; a £100m investment under the Belfast Region City Deal. Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the state-of-the-art premises, as well as hear from expert speakers on the R&D tax reliefs available, how businesses, particularly SMEs can avail of support, and the benefits of doing so.
The new Manufacturing Facility is a state-of-the-art centre showcasing the latest in digital technologies supporting advanced manufacturing, including automation, advanced machining, polymers and composites, photonics, metrology, NDT, materials testing and digital manufacturing. From robotics, cobots and CNC systems to cutting-edge welding, polymer processing and rotational moulding, the facility provides businesses with hands-on access to world-class equipment, expertise and demonstrators. By supporting collaborative R&D and new product and process development, it is helping Northern Ireland companies de-risk innovation, improve productivity, and compete on a truly global stage.
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Attendees will experience first-hand the capabilities of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) team as well as finding out more about how AMIC can support their work. Keynote speakers include Colm Higgins, CTO at AMIC, Dr Vicky Kell, Director of Innovation, Research and Development at Invest NI, Richard Pelan, Innovation Advisor at Invest NI, Dr Phil Chambers, Associate Partner at Sumer NI and Geddis Redmond, Head of Innovation at Kiverco.
"Through our work we're aware that a number of Northern Irish businesses are not currently availing of all the support incentives that are in place and if we want to secure and boost future growth, that needs to change," explained Caroline Keenan, Head of Tax at Sumer NI.
"This is the second in a series of innovation events that we'll be hosting over the coming months with different sectors who complete work that could qualify for R&D tax relief. Our mission is to spread awareness and understanding of the reliefs available to businesses and to offer advice on the entire process.
"I would encourage any business in the manufacturing or innovative sphere to come along to this event. You'll have an exclusive opportunity to tour one of the most impressive advanced manufacturing facilities in Northern Ireland, as well as learning more about how to help secure and maximise your business growth."
Colm Higgins, CTO, AMIC added; "AMIC was built to give Northern Ireland businesses direct access to world-class manufacturing technologies and expertise, and events like this are a perfect example of that mission in action. We're delighted to welcome Sumer NI and their guests to the facility and hope that seeing what's possible here, combined with understanding the funding available to support innovation, will inspire businesses to take that next step with confidence."
The event is free to attend and takes place on Friday 3 July from 8am – 11am at AMIC Factory of the Future, Global Point Ave, Newtownabbey BT36 5TB.
Spaces are limited. Register your place by emailing: Marketing@sumerni.co.uk.
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