Space manufacturing company iCOMAT has officially opened a new automated production facility in Hardwicke, Gloucester, following a significant investment from the UK Space Agency. The new plant is expected to create thousands of jobs over the next decade and will focus on producing advanced composite parts for the space, aerospace, and automotive industries.
The company, which specializes in lightweight carbon fibre structures, has already expanded its workforce from 20 to 70 employees in the past year. With the new facility now operational, iCOMAT plans to double its local workforce within the next 12 months, marking a major development for the UK's growing space sector.
Key Takeaways
- iCOMAT has opened a new automated manufacturing facility in Hardwicke, Gloucester.
- The project is supported by £8.2 million in total funding, including £4.8 million from the UK Space Agency.
- The company projects the creation of 2,000 jobs over the next ten years.
- Workforce has already grown from 20 to 70 in the last year and is expected to double in the next year.
- The facility will produce advanced carbon fibre components for the space, aerospace, and automotive sectors.
New Facility Boosts UK Space Manufacturing
A new chapter for the UK's space industry began on Monday with the inauguration of iCOMAT's state-of-the-art factory in Hardwicke. This automated facility is designed to produce high-performance, lightweight components, positioning Gloucestershire as a key hub for advanced manufacturing.
The company's primary focus is on serving the demanding requirements of the space industry. However, its technology has broad applications, with plans to extend its services to the aerospace and automotive sectors, where lightweight and strong materials are increasingly vital.
The UK Space Sector's Economic Value
The UK space industry is a significant and growing part of the national economy. According to the UK Space Agency, the sector is valued at approximately £18.5 billion annually and is expanding at a rate of 4% to 5% each year. This investment in facilities like iCOMAT's is part of a strategy to support this growth and secure the UK's position in the global space market.
Substantial Investment Fuels Growth and Innovation
The establishment of the Gloucester facility was made possible through a total funding package of £8.2 million. A crucial part of this investment came from a £4.8 million grant awarded by the UK Space Agency, which was supplemented by £3.3 million in match funding.
This financial backing underscores the government's commitment to fostering innovation in the domestic space supply chain. Matthew Archer, Director of Launch and In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing at the UK Space Agency, highlighted the importance of such investments.
"It's really important and a contributor to our economy that says we want to invest in these facilities to make sure we can not only service that demand for the future but generate that income and high paid roles for the future," Archer stated.
Ambitious Plans for Job Creation and Training
iCOMAT's expansion is set to bring a substantial number of skilled jobs to the region. The company has projected the creation of up to 2,000 engineering opportunities over the next decade. In the short term, the current workforce of 70 is expected to double within the next year.
Beyond direct employment, the initiative includes a strong focus on developing the next generation of talent. The plans incorporate provisions for approximately 150 apprenticeships and support for a number of PhD candidates, ensuring a steady pipeline of skilled professionals for the industry.
Rapid Workforce Expansion
- Past Year: Grew from 20 to 70 employees (a 250% increase).
- Next Year: Plans to double the current workforce to around 140.
- Next Decade: Aims to generate up to 2,000 jobs.
Pioneering Carbon Fibre Technology
At the core of iCOMAT's mission is the goal to revolutionize the use of composite materials. The company’s founder, Evangelos Zympeloudis, emphasized the unique properties of carbon fibre, which he described as the "lightest, strongest engineering material."
Zympeloudis expressed his vision for the material's widespread adoption, stating it should be in "every aeroplane, every car, every rocket." The new facility's automated processes are designed to make the manufacturing of complex composite structures more efficient and scalable.
Looking ahead, the founder believes the technology will have a lasting impact on manufacturing. He commented on the long-term significance of their work:
"Many years down the line, this will be recognised as technology that can truly industrialise composites," said Zympeloudis.
This focus on industrial-scale production of advanced composites is what sets iCOMAT apart, potentially transforming how lightweight structures are designed and built across multiple high-value industries. The investment from the UK Space Agency is not just about building parts for rockets, but about building a foundational technology for the future of manufacturing.