Dame Rosie Winterton MP was among visitors to Doncaster’s new rail technology hub on
Friday (19 November), which will fast track the latest rail products and services to market for
local companies.
The new Technology and Innovation hub at Unipart Rail’s Doncaster headquarters was
launched by the UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN), a £92 million
partnership between academia and industry.
Attendees included Rosie Winterton MP for Doncaster Central and Ros Jones, Mayor of
Doncaster, as well as a selection of guests from UKRRIN, Doncaster Council, Doncaster and
Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and University partners.
Led by Unipart Rail, the new hub will support the sector in translating academic research and
innovation to solve strategic industry challenges and to enable and develop the next
generation of products and services. The hub is supported by leading universities including
Huddersfield, Southampton, and Birmingham, and organisations including Unipart Rail,
Network Rail, RSSB and the Railway Industry Association (RIA).
The hub includes a new showcase for the UKRRIN area which covers:
- Digital Systems – led by the University of Birmingham in collaboration with Lancaster University, Imperial College London, Swansea University and University of Hull.
It will focus on railway control and simulation, data integration and cybersecurity, condition monitoring and sensing, and improved methods for technology introduction. - Rolling Stock – led by the University of Huddersfield in collaboration with Loughborough University, Newcastle University, University of Cambridge, University of Bristol, University of Nottingham and Brunel University of London. It will focus on high value rolling stock systems, whole life asset optimisation and through-life management, and energy management.
- Infrastructure – led by the University of Southampton in collaboration with the University of Sheffield, Loughborough University, the University of Nottingham and Heriot-Watt University
- Testing – led by Network Rail in collaboration with Transport for London and QRTC and containing information on the Network Rail Centre of Excellence in Testing, and Research and Development Portfolio.
This is an exciting new venture which will bring growth to the region, support local SMEs,
develop new digital technologies and innovations, and support the levelling up agenda for the
region.
Dame Rosie Winterton, Labour MP for Doncaster Central commented:
There is some very inspirational work being done here in Doncaster into innovation and
digital transformation and this new hub is an excellent example of this. I am so pleased this is
happening in our town.
Neil McNicholas, Managing Director at Unipart Rail said:
“This event was an excellent opportunity for us to welcome our local MPs, Councillors and
our partners to the new UKRRIN Technology and Innovation Hub, here at our headquarters in
Doncaster.”
“It is an exciting time for the region at the moment. Doncaster has entered the race to
become the home of a new national body for the country’s railways and has also bid for the
opportunity to achieve City Status. Unipart Rail is proud to play a leading role in this by
supporting local businesses and SMEs to introduce new technologies into the rail sector and
to drive innovation and growth into the region.”
To further support the Sheffield City Region and drive economic and business growth, Unipart
Rail is a partner of the DIGI-RAIL project, an initiative designed to seek out and fast-track
new technologies and innovations that are being developed by SMEs in the region. As part of
the support for SMEs, Unipart Rail is providing 12 hours of free innovation support, free
product research and development as well as access to academics and supply chain
expertise to accelerate sector digitisation.
Visits to the UKRRIN hub from the rail industry are welcomed, as well as hosting for
cross-industry meetings and conferences. For more information please email innovation@unipartrail.com
Ends –
Notes to editors:
About UKRRIN
The UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN) is designed to create powerful
collaboration between academia and industry, aiming to provide a step-change in innovation
in the sector and accelerate new technologies and products from research into market
applications globally. The initiative was launched in 2018 and has four Centres of Excellence,
covering Digital Systems, Rolling Stock, Infrastructure and Testing, formed by a consortium of
universities, in collaboration with existing industry testing and trialling facilities such as
Network Rail’s Rail Innovation and Development Centres. Centres were created in Digital
Systems (led by University of Birmingham), Rolling Stock (led by University of Huddersfield,
in partnership with Newcastle University and Loughborough University) and Infrastructure
(led by University of Southampton, in partnership with the University of Nottingham, the
University of Sheffield, Loughborough University and Heriot-Watt University). Some £92m of
total funding was committed to the centres by the UK Government and leading industrial
partners. ukrrin.org.uk
About Unipart Rail
Unipart Rail is the leading specialist provider of technology and supply chain solutions to the
rail industry. With a growing international presence and extensive expertise in infrastructure,
signalling and traction and rolling stock products, Unipart Rail is a major partner to the rail
industry.
Unipart Rail is part of the multinational Unipart Group, with headquarters in the United
Kingdom and operations in more than 100 countries.
About Unipart Group
The Unipart Group employs thousands of personnel worldwide and has an annual turnover of
approximately £750 million. It is one of Europe’s leading logistics companies and a
widely-recognised pioneer in the field of Lean implementation.
Unipart Group is a leading UK manufacturer, full service logistics provider and consultant in
operational excellence. Operating across a range of market sectors, including automotive,
manufacturing, mobile telecoms, rail, retail and technology, Unipart offers a breadth of
services from third party logistics to expert consultancy.
The company, which has its headquarters in Oxford, provides services to a growing range of
blue chip clients including Jaguar Land Rover, Vodafone, Sky, and many other household
names.
All Unipart sites operate according to the Group’s proprietary version of Lean known as The
Unipart Way. This is a philosophy of working underpinned by tools and techniques that
inspires efficiency, flexibility and outstanding customer service in any process.
Unipart also offers expert consultancy in implementing Lean principles and in supply chain
management across a variety of industry sectors.
Press Enquiries:
UKRRIN Press Office:
Max Sugarman: max.sugarman@riagb.org.uk
Unipart Press Office:
Dave Tilmouth, Head of Marketing Communications, Unipart Rail,
T +44 (0)1270 847620 M +44 (0) 7740 335899 \E dave.tilmouth@unipartrail.com