On Thursday, Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrat Business Secretary, opened the new multi-million pound National Composites Centre at the Science Park. The aim of the centre is to speed up new products going from the laboratory to the shop-floor.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said, “Here in the UK we are very good at invention, but we need to do more to innovate and turn our ideas into products and jobs. I don’t want the UK to miss out on any opportunities to create economic growth through manufacturing.”

“This centre will work with our world class universities and international businesses based in the South West and across the UK, to develop and commercialise new technologies. Its work will strengthen our manufacturing sector, exploiting the next generation of advanced composites materials and helping maintain our global lead in this technology area. I look forward to seeing what they produce.”

Westerleigh ward neighbours the centre and I attended the ceremony. Afterwards I spoke to representatives of small and medium-sized businesses, who made it clear how important this facility will be to them. It gives them access to new technologies and brings together research and manufacturing to the benefit of both.

There was some fascinating technology on display, from a machine that cuts a range of materials using a jet of water to accelerate abrasive particles to scanners for identifying flaws inside composites. I hope local businesses will be able to take advantage of these new opportunities.