Most advanced factory in the world to be built in Rotherham

It has been designed to meet the future needs of aerospace and other high-value manufacturing industries.

The Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, with the University of Sheffield and Boeing, has secured the necessary funding to make Factory 2050 a reality.

Prof Keith Ridgway, executive dean of the University of Sheffield AMRC, said: “This will be the most advanced factory in the world.

“The aim is to be able to manufacture any component as a one-off, and instantaneously switch between components.

“This will be a totally reconfigurable factory, one of the goals of the advanced manufacturing research strategy.”

Factory 2050 will combine advanced robotics, virtual environments, 3D printing and new programming and training tools.

Around 50 researchers will be based at the 4,500 sq metre centre when it is completed around the end of 2014.

Leading manufacturers including Boeing, Airbus, Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems and Spirit AeroSystems are also committed to supporting the development.