WMG's International Institute for Product and Service Innovation is three quarters through its build programme and on schedule as planned. Funded by the European Regional Development Fund and University of Warwick, it is due for completion this summer, with official launch expected for September 2012. IIPSI is WMG’s fifth building and will be dedicated purely for the use of SMEs in the region, highlighting WMG’s continuing dedication to business support and innovation.

The building activity is progressing well, with brickwork almost complete, along with the installation of windows and roof coverings. Alongside the building work, the WMG SME team are implementing a large scale technology commissioning process, scoping out and determining the tools and facilities that will be available to SMEs for product and service development activity. There will be a number of exciting demonstrators including a mobile app lab, data visualisation lab and user focused energy usage tools. There will also be a range of innovative polymer processing tools with the capability of embedding smart technologies into materials for new products.

The IIPSI building will be open to SMEs from across the West Midlands region from a range of different sectors. Along with the opportunity for SMEs to come and see a range of technology and equipment, there is now a team of ten individuals in place to work with the SME community on their product and service ideas, delivering workshops, offering one to one consultancy and the opportunity to collaborate on research projects. Through the building and its associated support programme it is hoped that a number of SMEs in the region will grow and provide further economic regeneration for the region.

We are holding a pre-launch summer networking evening on 14^th June for businesses, partners and staff at the University. If you would like to attend to find out more, please register via: http://wmgsummernetworking.eventbrite.com/