IMRC will engage in a broad range of research topics that will benefit a wide range of industrial sectors. Research will cover:- new manufacturing technologies that are capable of providing higher productivity and lower costs; advanced industrial photonics that are seen as key enabling technologies for 21st century manufacturing operations; control and automation at the system and machine level; strategy and performance measures essential for developing efficient manufacturing operations; an examination of innovation developments and technology take-up; design methodologies; and research into the economics and policies the are likely to influence the development of manufacturing operations through the 21st century.