THE North-East will once again be a pioneer in the fields of engineering and manufacturing, says a prominent industrial academic.

Sir Kumar Bhattacharyya made his prediction when opening the B2B manufacturing centre at the University of Teesside.

Sir Kumar, head of the Warwick manufacturing group at the University of Warwick, spoke of the region's past role in the development of a vibrant UK manufacturing and engineering sector and he highlighted the need to develop partnerships between firms, the providers of technology and skills, and government.

In particular, he focused on information technology, saying it could eradicate difficulties surrounding collaboration.

"What firms need is a neutral, safe environment in which research on particular applications can be explored and can then be tested without taking huge risks," he told the 120-strong audience.

"This is the kind of environment offered by the B2B Manufacturing Centre at Teesside, enabling firms to explore this new world of information technologies and their applications in manufacturing at very low risk."

The centre would be a key resource for the manufacturing industry in the North East. "I believe that, just as the North-East was a pioneering region in engineering and manufacturing in the past, it can be again," he said.

Dr John Bridge, of One North-East, which has helped fund the venture, said: "The National B2B centre established at the University of Warwick is widely recognised for its work in helping business meet the challenges of new technologies and advances.

"The new Teesside resource, based on this national model, will provide North-East manufacturers with ways to re-engineer their operations, identify areas where innovation can be introduced and better equip them to compete globally.