Caunton are involved in the design & build of structural steelwork for a most interesting project in Coventry; the £40.55m Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC). The research centre, located on Ansty Park, is to support UK manufacturing businesses in their pursuit of world-class business performance and has the backing of some of the UK’s major global manufacturers.

Founder industrial members of the MTC are Rolls Royce, Jaguar Land Rover, Aero Engine Controls and Airbus UK. Research partners include the University of Birmingham, The University of Nottingham, Loughborough University and TWI Ltd, the operating division of The Welding Institute.

The steelwork, comprising over 900te, is in effect three portal frames interspersed with two-storey buildings, and a covered “Street” linking all five distinct areas along one side. The portals are two single frame-works 27.5metre span and 22.5 metre span, with a double portal in the centre of total span 41 metres. These three areas contain the manufacturing facilities, and the steelwork includes substantial crane beams too. The two storey buildings will be providing viewing galleries to allow spectators to observe activities in the manufacturing areas. These buildings comprise not only the viewing galleries but also contain exhibition areas and some technical areas.

The design of the street by overall project architect Fairhurst is aimed to complement the buildings state-of-the-art image, and will be a most imposing area comprising attractive oval-shaped columns fabricated from Corus’ Celsius Ovals sections.