MIXING old practical ways with new digital skills could see Swindon becoming an industry-leading technological powerhouse that leads the way for the rest of the UK.
The claim comes after the success of the first-ever TechSwindon Summit where tech experts from around the town, the country and the world got together to share their advice and expertise while looking ahead to exciting future opportunities.
More than 9,000 people already work in Swindon’s tech community and the town is home to global brands like Intel, Nationwide, Catalent and Innovate UK.
Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership chairman Paddy Bradley suggested that Swindon could be at the forefront of the next industrial revolution with its array of companies that mix manufacturing and digital work together.
Small start-up Scaled is an example of just such a company as it has unveiled Europe's first ever 3D-printed electric vehicle.
Engineers in the Rushey Platt Industrial Estate worked on the passion project while they carried on with their day-to-day commercial business.
After hitting the headlines by showing off the prototype this autumn co-founders Bob Bradley and David Speight now hope to have the chance to develop it further, fix a few issues and perhaps one day make it available for sale.
They masterminded the idea but it took a team effort with several Swindon companies to turn their dreams into reality.
Bob said: “We received a significant amount of help from businesses when working on this and I’m glad we made it, it’s inspiring.
“There are all sorts of outfits in their early stages here that provide support and networking opportunities, and we have been lucky to have had help from groups like the SWLEP and Business West.
“For a firm like ours, there’s a great pool of engineers to draw from here because Swindon hosts a lot of big industrial companies and the supply chain for technical parts is there. Plus, the transport links are fantastic, and it’s a great and fairly affordable place to live.
“So I think Swindon could be a tech powerhouse but there are just a couple of elements missing. There should be more financial incentives and start-up campuses, which is up to the council, and there is no university here -though there will be an Institute of Technology.”
“I could envisage this town becoming a vibrant place, and the young people we have had on work experience from UTC Swindon surprised us with what they were capable of, they’re the future."
READ MORE: How they made Europe's first 3D-printed electric vehicle
Though 2020 has been a difficult year for the company as sales dwindled because of the pandemic, the interest in their new motor led to a consortium of companies being arranged in the hope of attracting investment and coming up with ways to make it roadworthy.
Bob revealed where the idea for the ground-breaking automotive came from and imagined a future where everyone could draw up and drive their own custom-made vehicle.
He added: “The idea had been sitting with me for quite some time, ever since I saw an American company make one in autumn 2014.
“I left that and set up Scaled in Swindon because I was so inspired by what they had achieved and wanted to emulate their success.
“It felt like there was a turning point where we don’t all have to drive the same sort of vehicle. It should be possible for everyone to design and drive their own vehicle, though there is a long way to go and a lot more R&D needs to be done.”
Paddy Bradley of the SWLEP highlighted their efforts and explained why Swindon could be a shining example of how to use a mix of old and new industries to make a better, more sustainable future.
He said: "Swindon has a great environment for digital companies to grow in. Intel would not have its UK head office here if this town didn't have a great digital infrastructure.
"It was one of the fastest-growing towns in Europe in the '70s as it drew in businesses that were at the forefront of industry and now we could be at the next forefront.
"The future of high-value manufacturing is bringing in digital technology to make it more flexible and customer-focused. This is going to affect every sector and companies like Excalibur, Catalent, Appsbroker and Scaled are part of the solution.
"Products are now designed to be recyclable, then those recycled materials are 3D-printed into new products which can be recycled again, so it''s more sustainable, too.
"TechSwindon brought people from the sector together for a deep discussion of technical issues and gave people a general sense of what makes Swindon a great place. It is going to become something that will keep building on prospects for growth in the area."
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Swindon Borough Council leader Coun David Renard agreed: “The inaugural TechSwindon Summit was a resounding success with more than 800 attendees taking part in 32 online events across the five days.
"It was a great example of the diversity and expertise we have in our tech sector.
“Our challenge now will be to build on this success and we are planning follow-up events next year. The investment in the Carriage Works as a digital business incubator, the forthcoming Institute of Technology and an ongoing programme of inward investment focused on innovative international SMEs are good examples of Swindon’s continued growth in the tech sector."
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