Morgan Sindall completes £16m Salford robotics centre

Coming in at 22,580 sq ft, the University of Salford’s North of England Robotics Innovation Centre will provide a space for small to medium-sized companies to design, test, and develop new technology.

NERIC is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund. The centre will drive forward growth in the use of robotics in intelligent infrastructure, supply chain improvement, integrated care technologies, and digital automation.

Morgan Sindall Construction was recruited to build the centre in 2020. NERIC was designed by 5plus Architects.

NERIC is the second major project completion at the University of Salford for Morgan Sindall, which wrapped work at the £65m Science, Engineering, and Environment Building earlier this year.

• READ MORE: Partnership done right: University of Salford’s SEE Building

Shaun Jones, area director for Morgan Sindall in Greater Manchester, said: “It’s a pleasure to see the completion of this facility which will support vital learning and research in an established and continually expanding area of expertise by providing a hub which adds value to both the University and Greater Manchester’s technical infrastructure.

“The completion of NERIC caps a fantastic period of collaboration between ourselves and the university that has also seen the delivery of the SEE Building. We’re now really excited to see what the brilliant minds who will occupy these facilities can achieve.”

NERIC is part of the £2.5bn Salford Crescent masterplan.  Salford Crescent is a 240-acre regeneration scheme being delivered by the University of Salford, Salford City Council, and The English Cities Fund. ECF is a joint venture between Muse Developments, Legal & General, and Homes England.

Mark O’Mullane, development director at ECF, said: “NERIC is a world-leading facility that will provide a range of opportunities for people in the city and beyond to learn, to innovate and play a part in what a future with robotics could look like in the UK.

“Crescent is all about connecting people to the opportunities regeneration creates and NERIC is a prime example of this.”