IfM Research

Brings together expertise in management, economics and technology to address the full spectrum of manufacturing issues.

Postgraduate research

Opportunities
for research degrees in manufacturing engineering.

MTMS
The Manufacturing, Technology & Management Society is a postgraduate society for IfM researchers.

Research areas

Our research is always undertaken in collaboration with industry and leads to practical techniques that companies can apply to improve their strategy, operations and technology.

Findings are disseminated through courses, publications and via consultancy services to companies.

Researchers work closely with other centres of academic excellence around the world, as well as with policy makers and government bodies.

Design management
Improving the ways in which design can be managed and exploited at product, firm and national levels.

Distributed information and automation
Intelligent automation technologies to support flexible manufacturing operations and supply networks; technologies and systems enabling automatic identification of manufactured objects throughout the supply chain.

Industry & government
Economic, technology and political trends likely to influence the business environment; understanding industrial policy and appropriate intervention mechanisms to support innovation and economic growth.

International manufacturing
Manufacturing in a global context, including international manufacturing and supply networks, supplier selection and management, global alliances and relocation of production facilities.

Production processes
Innovative production technologies with an emphasis on commercial priorities and the transfer of technology into industry.

Strategy and performance
Understanding and improving the way strategic choices are made, plans are developed and implemented, and performance is measured and achieved.

Technology management
Technology-related decisions across the spectrum of business activities; providing comprehensive support to managers, based on an integrated understanding of science, engineering and business management.

Inter-disciplinary research programmes

The IfM has established inter-disciplinary research programmes focused on particular industrial challenges. These are often undertaken in collaboration with other academic institutions and cover a portfolio of activities:

Emerging industries
accelerating the emergence of new industries

High value production
the structure and characteristics of HVP

Industrial sustainability
Developing technologies to process materials in more sustainable ways

Innovative manufacturing research centre
The IMRC is funded by the EPSRC and draws together the work of several established research Centres and Groups to tackle emerging industrial themes while strengthening the core academic programme.

International supply network configuration
understanding how supply chains are evolving in globalised markets

Service engineering and management
improving ways in which service systems are integrated into business strategies

Resources