The Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, a world class example of collaboration between industry and academia, has been extended for a further three years with the help of partners UK COAL.

The AMP will continue to focus on the advanced materials and manufacturing technologies industry and will benefit those companies on the park by enabling them to harness manufacturing innovation through collaboration between industry, research, the region's renowned universities and centres of excellence.

The AMP is located on around 100 acres of the former Orgreave colliery site, restored by UK COAL in a £30m surface mining and reclamation scheme. UK Coal have also confirmed that it is preparing to relocate its property arm, Harworth Estates, to the park. Around 20 property professionals and support staff will relocate from Doncaster to occupy offices in the AMP Technology Centre, the heart of the Advanced Manufacturing Park.

The news has been received positively by Rotherham's leaders who hope that the agreement will safeguard the future of the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP).

Councillor Gerald Smith, Rotherham Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development Services, said;

"This announcement secures the AMP's position as the UK's premier advanced manufacturing technology park. The AMP already has a global reputation for the quality of its advanced manufacturing technology solutions, and is home to many world-class companies. 

"This three year extension to the AMP Vision means that the AMP will be able to fully realise its potential, attracting more advanced manufacturing-related projects and companies to the AMP, and bringing additional investment and high quality jobs to the Rotherham economy."