Sectors Shaping Our Future
MTF Industry Network
Making The Future
The MTF Network is an industry‑led cluster accelerating the growth of advanced manufacturing in Mid and East Antrim. We bring together leading manufacturers, innovators, academia and government to position the region as a high‑value hub for advanced manufacturing and fast‑growing connected sectors, including clean technology, advanced construction, transport and logistics, agri‑food, and emerging industrial tech.
Chaired by respected industry leader David Watson, and supported by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, MTF is driven by an agile Steering Group that sets strategic priorities and ensures delivery of high‑impact, results‑driven initiatives.
The MTF Network offers you a collaborative, innovation‑ready environment, strong industry‑academia partnerships, and a pipeline of opportunities designed to boost productivity, competitiveness, and long-term economic value.
Strengths in Advanced Manufacturing
Mid and East Antrim is an advanced manufacturing powerhouse, now evolving into a high‑growth hub spanning cleantech, life and health sciences, and next‑generation industrial technologies. With more than 400 manufacturing and engineering firms, the region offers investors deep sector expertise, robust supply chains, and a workforce skilled in Industry 4.0 adoption.
At the heart of this ecosystem is the MTF Network – a powerful collaboration between industry, academia, and government that accelerates innovation, drives competitiveness, and unlocks investment‑ready opportunities.
Looking forward, the development of a cutting‑edge iLAB will give industry direct access to specialist facilities, technical expertise, and a space to prototype, test, and scale new technologies – further positioning the region as a prime location for future‑focused manufacturing investment.
£565 million
in manufacturing GVA
18%
of total GVA in MEA
6,650 people
employed in manufacturing
360 businesses
in the manufacturing sector
£565m sales
By the manufacturing and engineering sectors
20-30% lower
operating costs compared to UK
70% reduction
in business rates for qualifying manufacturing businesses
iLAB Accelerating Innovation
iLAB is where ideas are turned into market ready concepts and products. A pilot iLab will be located within temporary premises during 2026-2027, until its permanent relocation to the newly purpose built i4C Innovation & CleanTech Centre on the St Patrick’s Regeneration Site, Ballymena during 2029.
iLAB will be the ‘Innovation Engine Room’ of i4C, providing practical hands-on assistance to SMEs with their innovation and training requirements. iLAB will build on SME capacity, with various supports available through use of a wide range of onsite technologies. iLAB concentrates on early stages of product development, with prototypes becoming products and pilots become commercial operations.
iLAB will be an integral part of the local community, with initiatives to encourage use by students and members of the public. iLAB strengthens Mid and East Antrim’s advanced manufacturing and cleantech base by giving businesses and the community hands on access to modern prototyping, immersive digital design and real world and relevant hands-on training.
Cleantech Sustainability
Mid and East Antrim is a dynamic Cleantech location, offering investors a strong industrial base, a skilled workforce and an innovation ecosystem designed to maximise cleantech, promote sustainability and accelerate the transition to net zero. The area has long-established advanced manufacturing and engineering expertise, supported by strategic port access and a resilient supply chain, creating ideal conditions for companies in hydrogen, renewable energy and low carbon manufacturing.
The Hydrogen Training Academy in partnership with academia was developed with industry to meet the skills needs of the emerging hydrogen economy. It has delivered specialist training to more than 300 technicians, engineers and operators, ensuring employers can access job ready talent while creating new career pathways for local people. Businesses in the area benefit from access to a dedicated industry led Cleantech Network which brings together businesses, innovators, and stakeholders to collaborate, share expertise, build capabilities and shape future opportunities.
The recent MEANZ Business project helped local companies adopt low carbon technologies, improve energy efficiency, build skills and capability in relation to Cleantech and develop new products and services aligned with net zero markets. It has helped boost the competitiveness of indigenous firms while creating new opportunities for collaboration with external investors.
Life & Health Sciences Strong and Growing
Mid and East Antrim has an established and fast growing life and health sciences base, complementing the borough’s advanced manufacturing strengths and giving investors a readymade platform in areas such as medtech, diagnostics and pharma. Under the Belfast Region City Deal, the area benefits from co-investment in innovation, skills and infrastructure to accelerate R&D, commercialisation and talent pipelines. The planned i4C Innovation & Cleantech Centre will include SME incubation laboratory spaces and an industry academia iLAB, adding flexible R&D, prototyping and collaboration facilities within the borough.
Larne is home to Terumo BCT, a global medtech company specialising in blood, apheresis and cellular technologies, as well as Teva NI, a long standing pharmaceutical employer in the area. Ballymena based CIGA Healthcare designs and supplies rapid diagnostic tests under its ‘Suresign’ brand, exporting to 70+ countries. These anchor businesses underscore the area’s end to end capability across medtech and pharma manufacturing.
The area has major research and teaching assets to call upon, with Ulster University’s School of Biomedical Sciences developing highly skilled graduates across biosciences, dietetics and health sciences. Northern Regional College’s new Ballymena campus delivers a range of biomedical courses, which create direct pathways into laboratory roles and higher education.
Our Employers Include:
