Introduction

Warwick Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre (WIMRC) was founded in October 2001, with the support of a five year block grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).  In October 2006 EPSRC provided a second phase of funding for a further five years. 

Over the 10 years from 2001 to 2011, WIMRC funded a total of 89  projects of various sizes across a number of sectors including premium automotive, aerospace, construction, medical technology, healthcare management, intelligent vehicles and eco-friendly transport. 

In addition to requiring world-class academic research and high industrial impact, EPSRC funding criteria required the research to be longer term, focused primarily at technology readiness levels (TRLs) 1 to 3.  This allowed WIMRC’s research to complement the predominantly shorter term applied research activities in WMG, the manufacturing department of the University of Warwick. 

One of the primary reasons for EPSRC funding WIMRC and a number of other such centres across the UK was to provide greater freedom in the way in which research funds could be employed; a longer period of financial certainty and an opportunity to build critical mass in one or more areas.  This freedom carried with it a need for professional management including transparent decision making processes, regular performance reviews and effective dissemination of results coupled with a requirement to engage very effectively with external partners to participate in the research and contribute to the funding of the projects.

Management

WIMRC was managed by an executive team comprised of a Director, a Research Manager and an Administrative Officer, supported by a Management Committee and a Steering Group.  

Resources

WIMRC’s management team was located in the International Manufacturing Centre building of WMG, at the University of Warwick.  While many researchers from WMG were involved in WIMRC projects, a significant number were drawn from departments across the University including the School of Engineering, Chemistry, Psychology, Warwick Business School, Warwick Medical School and Life Sciences. 

Essentially WIMRC was a virtual centre, with the resources of the whole of the University of Warwick potentially at its disposal.  Many projects included researchers from different disciplines, resulting in a rich mix of knowledge and experience being applied to some very challenging research problems.

Vision

The Steering Group defined the vision of WIMRC as: 

 “To be widely recognised as a world leading centre of excellence, harnessing multi-disciplinary research competencies across the University of Warwick to deliver adventurous step-change solutions relevant to sustainable manufacturing and services.”