The EPSRC Manufacturing Network was established in 1998 to provide a forum for exploring and confirming the industrial benefits that come from understanding and modelling the complexities that exist in manufacturing organisations. The intention was that such a network would spawn working research partnerships between academia and industry and allow for the identification of future research requirements. The founding Universities were Oxford, Cambridge and Sheffield. The University of Warwick joined shortly after the network came into being.

Such has been its success that the network continues to function even though the initial funding finished in April 2000. Its current role is still to develop understanding of how complexity impacts manufacturing businesses. It provides a forum for people from industry and academia to discuss areas of common interest and provides a clearing house for new ideas.

Through regular workshops, a newsletter and links to other networks, members can address the objectives below:

1. Exploring and confirming the industrial and academic benefits of understanding and modelling the complexities that exist in manufacturing organisations.
2. Identifying and grouping complementary and synergetic research approaches, metaphors and tools in order to create a framework for analysing the various issues of manufacturing complexity.
3. Establishing working research partnerships.
4. Preparing and proposing research projects which will test and apply the identified theories and models with the industry as the ultimate beneficiary.

In September 2000 the network organised a conference at Warwick: "Complexity and complex systems in industry". This was attended by over 150 delegates from around the world. The participants were keen to meet again and another conference:"Tackling industrial complexity: the ideas that make a difference" was run in Cambridge in April 2002.

For information on aims, current membership, and future events go to the Manufacturing Complexity Network website.