Balfour Beatty is to extend the University of Strathclyde's Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC).

According to the Construction Index, the contract at Inchinnan, Renfrewshire, is worth £5m.

The ARFC is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, Scottish Enterprise, the Scottish Government and multi-national firms including Rolls Royce, Boeing and Barnes Aerospace.

The research centre pioneers forming and forging techniques to support manufacturing for the aerospace, energy, marine and automobile industries.


This is the first contract to be issued under the University of Strathclyde's Framework 2 for building and associated works.

The firm's Delivery Unit Managing Director, Hector MacAulay, said: "Our business in Glasgow and the surrounding areas is going from strength to strength and our positive continuing relationship with the University of Strathclyde provides a strong platform for further growth in the region."

Under the first framework, Balfour Beatty carried out a £13.2m refurbishment of the Lord Hope and Curran buildings in Glasgow city centre.

It is currently in the final construction stages of the £4.6m Power Networks Demonstration Centre in Cumbernauld.

(JP/MH)