Centre's expansion continues apace with new marketing appointment

Cardiff University's multi-award-winning Manufacturing Engineering Centre (MEC) has appointed a marketing director to further share excellence in manufacturing, that has already brought increased competitiveness, employment and prosperity to Wales.

Frank Marsh joins the centre, having worked extensively in industry worldwide, most recently in design and project management.

The centre was founded in 1996 and has seen a spectacular expansion in size and capabilities, winning research income in excess of 25M, enabling it to create first-class research facilities for collaborative projects with industrial and academic partners.

With an international profile, and acclaimed for its work in establishing lasting and fruitful partnerships with industry, the Centre of Excellence has completed 2,100 projects with more than 250 Wales-based companies, and has helped to create and safeguard 2,000-3,000 jobs in the region.

Frank's experience will enable the centre to reach even wider. In 1996 he joined with Bert Watkins of Gwent TEC, Gary Ross of GX, Ian Stead, Chairman of Iota Sigma Group and Professor Duc-Truong Pham OBE of the MEC to establish the M4 Group which specialises in the creation of products from initial thoughts, through concept design, modelling and prototyping, test and past approvals into manufacture.

Professor Pham said, "The MEC is one of the most advanced product development centres in Europe. MEC provides advanced systems and methods in prototyping and tooling; the MEC is a fine example of research and commercial practice acting in unison. Its clients therefore benefit from a service that is constantly improving and providing innovative solutions, " he continued, "Having a marketing professional on board will help the MEC achieve its ambitious development programme."

Welcoming the appointment, champion of inward investment as former Chairman and Chief Executive of the WDA and current Chairman of the new Wales Millenniunm Centre Sir David Rowe-Beddoe, said "Frank, is not only an innovative and restless entrepreneur, he is a passionate supporter of the Welsh business sector".