Turntide secures backing to scale production

A North East manufacturer is set to shift production up a gear through a £17 million investment in electric motor technology.

Gateshead-based Turntide Technologies has been selected for funding through the UK Government and Advanced Propulsion Centre UK’s DRIVE35 Scale-up Fund for Project SUPREME, subject to Government approval.

The £17 million matched-funded programme aims to accelerate production of Turntide’s axial flux motors by increasing automation and developing new manufacturing processes.

Axial flux motors can deliver more power from a smaller and lighter package than conventional radial flux designs, but manufacturing complexity has historically limited their adoption at scale.

Through the 18-month project, Turntide plans to automate labour-intensive processes including winding and component tooling, while carrying out product validation to prepare its technology for higher-volume production.

The company will also develop intellectual property as it seeks to meet growing global demand from original equipment manufacturers.

Investment will expand activity at Turntide’s Gateshead production and R&D campus, while a dedicated component and validation facility will be re-established in Cramlington, Northumberland.

Bosses say the programme, which is scheduled to run until January 2028, will support job growth and skills development across the North East while strengthening the company’s manufacturing capabilities.

Steve Hornyak, chief executive of Turntide Technologies, said: “Project SUPREME is an important step in scaling next-generation electric motor technology production in the UK for the global market. 

“By enabling high volume axial flux motor production through automation and overall cost reduction, we’re driving wider adoption of more efficient, lighter electric powertrains across automotive and industrial applications.”

The DRIVE35 Scale-up Fund forms part of the Government’s wider £4 billion programme to support the transition to advanced zero-emission vehicle manufacturing.

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