For one, spies in the sky, drones or, in their prosaic name, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will soon be landing in Wales on a regular basis now that the 50-acre ParcAberporth in west Wales opened in July.

The $38 million technology park, dedicated to developing and testing products for military and civilian uses of UAVs, is also expected to be home to a cluster of companies, as well as a business center and incubator facilities with R&D activities.

“We started developing the project four years ago,” said Sue Wolfe, project manager for ParcAberporth. “We believe this project will add value to the local area. After looking at sectors appropriate for the West Wales area, we quickly determined that this project offered great potential.”

The project received Objective 1 funding from the European Union for its structure. Phase One is expected to be completed by the end of the year, with the rest of the project developed by the end of 2005.

The development adds strength to an already solid Welsh aerospace sector, which employs more than 20,000 skilled workers at companies including GE Aircraft Engine Services Ltd., Nordam Europe, British Airways, DARA, Airbus UK, Britax and Lufthansa Resource Technical Training.

Biotechnology

Biotechnology is also thriving throughout the UK. In Northwest England, pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca recently opened the latest phase of Alderley Park, its $1.27 million flagship headquarters and research center in Macclesfield.

Meanwhile, Chiron Vaccines began work in February on a new $100 million vaccine production facility at its manufacturing site in Liverpool.

The new 4-acre plot is adjacent to Chiron Vaccines’ existing 10-acre manufacturing plant, where it employs more than 600 workers.

The current production facility is already the largest in the UK, and one of the largest in Europe.

The investment will consolidate Chiron Vaccines’ position as the world’s fifth-largest vaccines producer, and second-largest manufacturer of flu vaccine.

“Global demand for flu vaccine already exceeds industry’s supply capability and is continuing to grow,” said John Lambert, president of Chiron Vaccines. “With governments, health authorities and the public increasingly recognizing the value of flu vaccinations, we are committed to expanding our production capacity to help ensure we can meet demand.”

Construction has begun on the National Biomanufacturing Centre, which is being setup in Speke, Liverpool, to develop and manufacture new biopharmaceutical medicines for clinical trials. Operated by Eden Biodesign, the center is projected to establish England’s Northwest as one of the foremost centers for biomanufacturing in Europe.

The 4,920 square foot biomanufacturing and development center is expected to open in early 2006.

“The operational services of the National Biomanufacturing Centre will be aimed at the production of both pre-clinical and clinical material,” said Crawford Brown, CEO of Eden Biodesign. “Our focus is to provide the expertise and facilities to allow biotech companies to take advantage of best practice product development and manufacturing. Our intention is to become Europe’s leading biopharmaceutical design facility.”

Gainesville, Ga.,-based Kiel Laboratories Inc. announced nearly a year ago that it plans to open a manufacturing plant in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland.

Kiel Laboratories manufactures a variety of private label and generic prescription drugs in various therapeutic categories, including pulmonary and respiratory diseases. Kiel Laboratories distributes these products through a number of leading pharmaceutical partner-companies for their respiratory care lines.

The plant will substantially enhance production capacity and improve access to markets in Europe and Asia.

“After exploring a number of locations, we chose Northern Ireland because of the ability to attract and retain high-caliber employees, the potential for collaboration with the local universities, the very favorable pharmaceutical regulatory environment in the UK, and the support available from Invest NI,” said Jeffrey S. Kiel, founder and CEO of Kiel Laboratories.

Centers of Innovation

The UK is a hotbed of centers for innovation. West Midlands is no exception with its Central Technology Belt, which runs from central Birmingham into north Worcestershire. Plans call to create a new Technology Park at Longbridge.

Scotland will soon be home to the Edinburgh Science Triangle (EST), which will rank alongside Cambridge and London as a top UK research region and aims to be recognized as a top 10 European area of science and technology excellence.

The recently launched grouping of research centers has the potential to create 15,000 high-value research jobs, across a 600,000 square foot campus. The pursuit of progress in technology, medicine, engineering, communications and life sciences is the marquee of the $636 million EST.

Financial Services, Software Solutions

Northern Ireland is rapidly becoming an important hub for U.S. financial services firms, global insurers and technology companies.

In September, Microsoft opened its first office in Northern Ireland in Belfast’s Northern Ireland Science Park. The new office will provide e-business and other expert support to Microsoft clients in both Ireland and Northern Ireland.

“By opening an office in Northern Ireland Science Park, we are positioning ourselves for future success and growth alongside the vibrant technology industry within the region and will be positioned to help our customers, partners and the local industry realize their potential,” said Joe Macri, general manager of Microsoft Ireland.

West Palm Beach, Fla.,-based Ocwen Financial Corp., announced plans in June to invest $8.3 million to establish a data center and technical support facility in Belfast. Ocwen deploys software, voice-over IP and network technology solutions.

“The decision to invest in a facility in Belfast is an integral part of our growth strategy,” said William C. Erbey, chairman and CEO of Ocwen. “It will enable us to continue to expand our global presence and strategic operation, including the addition of new activities in the European market. It puts us physically closer to Asian markets.”

Allen Systems Group (ASG), a Naples, Fla.,-based global enterprise software and professional services solutions provider, opened a software development center in Belfast last year.

ASG evaluated a number of locations around the world, including China, India and Russia, and selected Northern Ireland because of its abundant availability of high-quality graduates in disciplines such as software, electronic engineering and mathematics.

“ASG has a strong devotion to research and development,” said Arthur L. Allen, president and CEO of ASG. “We pour nearly 30 percent of our resources back into research and development.”