Oldham business offered exclusive access to Bosch hydrogen HQ

Oldham Engineering Ltd has been chosen to join a select group of Greater Manchester businesses visiting Bosch’s global hydrogen headquarters in Germany, offering the local firm rare access to one of the world’s leading hydrogen innovators.

The Oldham-based project management and manufacturing company will represent the borough as part of an initiative delivered by GM Business Growth Hub, Green Economy, Bosch GmbH and Manchester Metropolitan University.

The programme is designed to accelerate hydrogen adoption in the UK by helping local companies overcome key barriers such as high costs, limited specialist supply chains and small-scale electrolyser development.

Janine Smith, Director of GM Business Growth Hub, highlighted the significance of the opportunity for firms like Oldham Engineering Ltd.

“Hydrogen presents a massive economic opportunity for Greater Manchester and the wider UK," she said.

“Supporting businesses like Oldham Engineering Ltd to get in early helps them innovate faster and strengthens our regional supply chain.”

Hydrogen is expected to play a major role in the UK’s transition to clean energy, with Government estimates suggesting it could create over 12,000 jobs and up to £11 billion of investment nationally.

Chris Lake of Bosch UK and Ireland emphasised the importance of collaboration across the sector, stating: “Hydrogen will rely on close collaboration across the supply chain.

"This Greater Manchester initiative brings together companies with the expertise and ambition needed to make hydrogen a future growth sector.”

The visit forms part of Greater Manchester’s drive to become a global centre for hydrogen innovation and to reach carbon neutrality by 2038.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham praised the involvement of local companies such as Oldham Engineering Ltd.

He said: “Oldham Engineering Ltd is part of a cohort showcasing the innovation and engineering strength we have across Greater Manchester.”

“Opportunities like this help bring new skills, jobs and investment into our communities.”

Manchester Metropolitan University is playing a key role in supporting regional businesses through its Hydrogen Fuel Cell Innovation Centre.

Amer Gaffar, Director of Industrial Strategy Partnerships at the university, said: “By connecting local SMEs with global innovators like Bosch, we are helping build the foundations of a hydrogen supply chain that will drive Greater Manchester’s net-zero ambitions.”

Oldham Engineering Ltd will join seven other Greater Manchester businesses on the visit; each selected for their potential to contribute to the region’s developing hydrogen ecosystem.

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