‘MANUFACTURING is in the DNA of people around here’, a government minister has said.

Ken Skates AM was invited to the official opening of the ‘world-class’ £20m advanced manufacturing research centre that opened in Broughton this week.

At the official opening of the centre on Thursday, Mr Skates said the centre will be a ‘real game changer’ for the manufacturing industry in Wales.

Speaking with the Leader ahead of the official opening, the Minister of Economy and Transport said: “It will be a real game changer for the region, particularly for advanced manufacturing which is one of the key employments sectors in North east Wales. This facility will return a productivity benefit of around £4billion over the next 20 years so will drive productivity and drive more investors to North Wales. Manufacturing is in the DNA of people around here and this facility will continue to build on this.

“Projects such as this will help to drive innovation and excellence to Wales’ reputation as a place to invest and do business. The facility will play a key role in bringing various sectors closer together and boosting skills locally.”

Mark Drakeford, First Minister for Wales, said he was delighted to be invited to the opening of a ‘world class facility’ that would ensure ‘research, technology and skills drive the formation of the North Wales economy’.

He said: “This facility will ensure that the history and the heritage of North Wales manufacturing is built upon here in Broughton and continue to be of significance to the local economy.”

Speakers at the event also included Coleg Cambria CEO David Jones, vice-chancellor at the University of Sheffield Professor Koen Lamberts and the head of major component assembly at Airbus Paul McKinlay.

The state-of-the-art centre will be a catalyst for growth and jobs in Deeside; across North Wales and the wider cross-border and Northern Powerhouse region.

Situated in the Deeside Enterprise Zone, it will focus on advanced manufacturing sectors, including aerospace, automotive, nuclear and food. The region has a strong manufacturing base and AMRC Cymru will build on this, driving world-class research and expertise across the supply chain.