Welsh Minister for Business, Enterprise, Technology and Science visits TWI Wales

TWI Wales, based in Port Talbot, was pleased to welcome Edwina Hart MBE AM, Minister for Business, Enterprise, Technology and Science to its laboratories on Monday 1 October 2012. The visit marked the start of a new exchange of ideas between the Welsh Government and TWI to support ‘Applied Research and Development’ to aid the advancement and growth of both Welsh and wider UK industry.

During a meeting with Philip Wallace, Regional Manager for TWI Wales, and Peter Oakley, Associate Director, TWI, discussion took place about the challenges of finding and retaining competent qualified engineering staff and how new initiatives to strengthen the links between industry and the Welsh universities could drive a programme to generate top quality Masters and Doctorate graduates - underpinning research advances and presenting new opportunities for technical growth in Wales.

Mrs Hart saw demonstrations of a range of industrial projects in progress in the laboratories, including work for major aerospace companies devising techniques for the testing of carbon fibre structural components.

Following her visit the Minister said:

“TWI Wales plays a key role supporting Welsh engineering manufacturing companies and providing research and consultancy services across our key industry sectors. I am also pleased to note that the Port Talbot facility works closely with Welsh universities and industry – collaboration the Welsh Government is keen to encourage in order to harness the commercial opportunities of innovation and research.”

For further information, please contact Philip Wallace, Regional Manager, TWI Wales, philip.wallace@twi.co.uk

Photo Caption:

Kevin Boyle (left) - pictured with Philip Wallace, Regional Manager, TWI Wales and Peter Oakley, Associate Director, TWI (right) - demonstrates the capabilities of an immersion ultrasound NDT tank during the visit to TWI Wales of Edwina Hart MBE AM, Welsh Minister for Business, Enterprise, Technology and Science.

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Note to editors

About TWI and TWI Wales

TWI is a global leader in technology engineering providing research and consultancy to over 700 industrial member companies. Respected for its expertise, professionalism, impartiality and confidentiality, TWI works with the most influential companies worldwide across all industry sectors. TWI NDT Validation Centre (TWI Wales) based in Port Talbot is a regional office of TWI and is an industrial contract R&D activity focusing on non-destructive testing technologies. Following continued growth, TWI Wales will relocate to new state-of-the art facilities at Harbourside, Port Talbot, in 2013.

TWI NDT Validation Centre (Wales), Heol Cefn Gwrgan, Margam, Port Talbot SA13 2EZ. Tel: +44(0)1639 873 100.   Fax: +44(0)1639 864 679.   E-mail: twiwales@twi.co.uk

2 October 2012                                                  Issued by Catherine Condie   34/12