The Product Development Centre (PDC) was an EU and Regional Growth funded project that enabled local businesses to tap into a wealth of engineering and technology expertise available at the University of Brighton.

The project ran from April 2007 to April 2010 and offered local businesses expertise and practical help in product development and design enabling them to exploit their idea and shorten the development time and cost to get a product to market.

The PDC supported entrepreneurs and business to generate 3D computer models, design and prototype electrical circuits as well as sharing techniques in rapid prototyping, the analysis of solid 3D models and 3D scanning for reverse engineering.

Based at the Innovation Centre, St Leonards on Sea, the project engaged with a total of 128 organisations including General Dynamics, Drallim, Plastipack and Posturite.

Working alongside STEM Sussex, the centre staff provided science, technology and engineering activities to pupils within schools, including Robot Wars. As a result of the investment local businesses in Hastings became more aware of these innovative practises and the value of these innovative techniques.