C4FF has been at the cutting-edge of innovation and technological advancement since its inception in 1984. C4FF initiated the Factories of the Future project, which received widespread acclaim and was selected by the EU as an innovative project.

C4FF has evolved into a centre of world class enterprise, developing business intelligence systems such as IntelliFOR, and logistical systems such as REFER. This progression has helped C4FF to take a leading role in cooperative development for the business sector, and has created new manufacturing centres, universities, and enterprises.

Focussing centrally on the research and development for industry and academia, C4FF has become a world-leader in several business and industrial sectors. In recent years, this research and development has been supported through a number of UK’s Technology Strategy Board and the EU’s Leonardo and Framework 7 funded projects.

Since 2003, C4FF has been involved in developing European maritime education and training initiatives, with the support of the EU’s funding streams. C4FF established MariFuture (www.marifuture.org) an international partnership of academic and vocational training institutions which supports innovation the maritime industry.