News: FerretWorks - a South Yorkshire take on fostering innovation

A University of Sheffield project which aims to scale-up disruptive businesses in the region is being backed by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA).

The project has been given the name FerretWorks as a Yorkshire slant on SkunkWorks, the secret R&D team at Lockheed Aircraft Corp that worked quickly to develop a jet fighter for the United States during World War II.

The approach from the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) was formed to incubate high risk/high reward ideas away from the typical business KPIs and constraints, creating a space where it’s OK to fail, as well as putting money into the groups so they can make space for thinking.

SYMCA is now set to award £375k from its Project Feasibility Fund for FerretWorks.

A SYMCA paper explains: "The project will assist entrepreneurs by facilitating access to the resources required to help mature and de-risk the formation of disruptive technology businesses, laying the foundations for scale-ups of the future. The program aims to develop a culture of innovation in the SYMCA region that learns fast, fails fast, and de-risks the translation from concept to establishing an ecosystem of disruptive businesses."

Advertisement
The project is set to develop a pipeline of IP generation and future entrepreneurs, create high-value jobs in the region, and encourage businesses to form and base themselves in the South Yorkshire Investment Zone.

The authority is also keen that the FerretWorks sub-brand will be used in marketing and promote SYMCA as "the place to develop innovative start-up businesses."

The AMRC has grown to become a world leader in manufacturing excellence, part of the national High Value Manufacturing Catapult network of research centres. With facilities in Rotherham and Sheffield it has more than 500 highly qualified researchers and engineers working on the manufacturing needs of the future, from composites to castings, additive manufacturing to machining.

The AMRC strategy was refreshed in 2023 where FerretWorks aims to facilitate ambitious steps in manufacturing research by giving engineers the freedom, space and time to create and explore new ideas, to run adjacent to the centre's themes of sustainability, digital, future platforms and supply chain resilience.

AMRC spin out companies include Productive Machines, FourJaw and AML.

AMRC website

Images: AMRC

Read more...

News: New £3m programme launched to support South Yorkshire innovation

The new South Yorkshire Innovation Programme (SYIP) has been officially launched to help regional organisations to innovate, accelerate, and grow.

SYIP is a collaboration led by Sheffield Hallam University with the University of Sheffield and Barnsley Council, and is backed by £3m via the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA). It has been co-designed and developed with each of the four South Yorkshire local authorities.

The programme will provide opportunities to access expert consultancy, including academic-led innovation audits and discovery days; professional interventions; student projects and placements; and specialist equipment and facilities provided by the universities and Barnsley Council.

Support will be available to South Yorkshire-based organisations of all sizes and across all sectors. Participating organisations will contribute a percentage of full project costs, based on their size, and also be eligible for funding support.

Several partnerships have developed between Sheffield’s universities, local authorities and SYMCA aimed at driving economic growth and inward investment into South Yorkshire.

Advertisement
South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: “Our ideas powered the industrial revolution. We invented the world’s most popular sport. We’ve created products that are used worldwide, from New York fire hydrants that are made in Rotherham to the McLaren supercar in Sheffield.

“Mclaren, Boeing and Rolls Royce already work alongside brilliant local businesses, in and around our world-class advanced manufacturing district.

“My mission is to build a bigger and better economy but to do that we need to create new industries and jobs for the future.

“Innovation is how we will achieve this vision and we can’t do that by just focusing on one sector or capability. We’ll only do it by working in partnership and that’s why I’m pleased to be investing in the Innovation Programme.

“There is talent and opportunity right across our region and by investing in our people and places we can unlock South Yorkshire’s full potential.”

Professor Conor Moss, Executive Dean of the College of Business, Technology and Engineering and of Sheffield Business School, at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “There are more opportunities for businesses and organisations to thrive in South Yorkshire now than there ever have been before. The key is innovation, and we are delighted to be leading this programme to help people in our region to scale-up and reach their goals.

“At Sheffield Hallam, we believe in collaboration and in championing our region. SYIP will help us to take cutting-edge research and knowledge from our academics and turn it into tangible advice and outcomes for businesses."

Professor Sue Hartley, Vice-President for Research and Innovation at the University of Sheffield, said: “At the University of Sheffield we’re committed to collaborating with partners across the region to drive innovation and fuel economic growth. This ambitious programme is a brilliant opportunity to build on our successes and forge new partnerships with businesses and organisations of all sizes.

“We look forward to learning more about regional organisations’ specific challenges and aspirations, and how we can harness our world-leading research and expertise to help them innovate and grow in a rapidly changing landscape.”

South Yorkshire Innovation Programme website

Images: Sheffield Hallam University

Read more...

News: Three Rotherham firms win King's Awards for Enterprise

Three Rotherham-based companies have been recognised for their achievements in innovation and international trade.

King’s Award for Enterprise celebrates outstanding achievement by UK businesses and is internationally recognised.

This year's recipients include Dinnington's Advanced Alloy Services Ltd, Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) based, SBD Apparel, and near neighbours, Advanced Manufacturing (Sheffield) Ltd (AML) of Catcliffe.

Originally a spin-out from the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) at the University of Sheffield, AML is now recognised as a market leader in delivering flexible manufacturing capability at the leading edge of machining technologies and efficiencies, with particular expertise in aerospace, defence and energy components.

The 100-strong team has been awarded the King’s Award for Enterprise Innovation.

The award was driven by funding from the Aerospace Technology Institute for the Automotive Excellence for Aerospace (AXIS) project around reducing production times in aerospace component manufacture. The successful implementation of the project and the development of AML’s high-rate production has resulted in AML securing long term contracts for the production of components for regional business jet engines.

The funding also resulted in eight new roles to support the a production cell built to manufacture components, consisting of six machine operators and two manufacturing engineers.

Dr Gareth Morgan, managing director at AML, said: “This is an incredible achievement for the whole AML team and a recognition of our expertise and commitment to excellence. Innovation was hard wired into our DNA from the very beginning which is why the most demanding customers on the planet, from aerospace and defence to land based gas turbines that complement the green energy/renewable sector, trust us with the manufacture of strategically critical components.”

Advertisement
Advanced Alloy Services was recognised for its outstanding achievements in International Trade.

Founded in 1993 the company underwent an MBO in 2019 and now operates from a purpose built 44,000 sq ft facility in Dinnington on the former colliery site supplying high purity pure metals and fully processed and certified superalloy revert to customers all over the world.

A spokesperson for Advanced Alloy Services, said: "We are proud to support the drive towards net zero by effectively recycling and recovering secondary revert, reducing the requirements for primary metals and the associated high carbon emissions from mining and refining. We have ambitious plans to grow our international footprint and global sales, the accolade from the King’s Award will be instrumental in helping realise these aspirations."

SBD Apparel, the global market leader in strength sports apparel, clothing and accessories worldwide, has been for its outstanding achievements in International Trade.

SBD Apparel, which counts elite strength and fitness athletes across the world amongst its growing client base, as well as being synonymous with the World’s Strongest Man Competition, successfully opened a new manufacturing hub at Rotherham’s Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in 2022.

The move to new 100,000 sq ft premises was part of a desire to boost exports. The company now sells in markets including Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Germany, Spain, Italy, Norway and Iceland. Each retailer is given exclusivity to sell SBD products in their territory, receiving support with branding, website, enquiries and customer services to ensure the retailer shares in the brand’s success.

AML website
Advanced Alloy Services website
SBD Apparel website

Images:

Read more...

News: South Yorkshire Innovation District launches business-led energy challenge

A pioneering initiative is underway as the South Yorkshire Innovation District, in collaboration with industry leaders, announces the start of a pilot ‘Innovation Challenge’ aimed at transforming manufacturing practices through the practical application of regional innovation capabilities.

This joint effort, supported by the business community, South Yorkshire Innovation District, Four Jaw Analytics, and Made Smarter, boasts a collaboration with prominent industry partners including Gripple, AESSEAL, PEP GB, Amodo and the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).

The initiative underscores a collective commitment to foster innovation-led growth and tackle challenges faced by manufacturing SMEs in South Yorkshire. Originating from the Innovation District Business Network established in 2022, the initiative aims to drive a more prosperous regional economic outlook by facilitating practical solutions and access to new opportunities.

The Innovation Challenge targets energy optimisation and operational efficiency improvement within participating SMEs. Companies such as Arden Winch, Charles Day Steels, EE Ingleton, Footprint Tools, Maher, Steetley Corner, and Whites Bakery are set to benefit from Four Jaw's manufacturing analytics technology during a 3-month trial period. This solution, coupled with tech advice and peer mentoring, empowers businesses to enhance insights, reduce costs, and boost productivity.

Advertisement
In addition to technological support, participating SMEs will receive financial support from Made Smarter, enabling them to embark on a digital transformation journey. Made Smarter will also craft bespoke digital roadmaps for each business, paving the way for future success in an increasingly digitised and competitive landscape.

Recognising the importance of mentorship in navigating these transformative changes, the South Yorkshire Innovation District has curated a mentor programme comprising seasoned industry experts. These mentors will provide invaluable guidance and support to the leadership teams of participating SMEs, ensuring they are equipped to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the innovation challenge.

Gordon Macrae, Special Projects Manager at Gripple, siad: "We are thrilled to unveil this collaborative initiative, which exemplifies the spirit of innovation and partnership in South Yorkshire. By leveraging the expertise of industry leaders and SMEs, we aim to drive meaningful change, accelerate innovation adoption, and unlock new growth opportunities."

The Innovation Challenge will run for 12 weeks, culminating in a "Demo Day" in May where SMEs and mentors will showcase their innovation journey and future business prospects.

Images: Harworth

Read more...

News: Zen partners with PGA as it launches newest golf innovation

An innovative Rotherham company is working in partnership with The PGA to provide the next generation of PGA Professionals with access to the latest golf coaching technology.

At the Zen Studio in Templeborough, the Zen Green Stage was the first system created using golf’s most advanced "active" indoor playing surfaces and enables players to recreate any makeable putt on the planet, including double-breaks.

2023 sees the launch of the Zen Swing Stage, which uses the same moving floor technology to let players play full shots from sloping lies.

Under the new agreement, PGA Members visiting The PGA’s National Training Academy at The Belfry – as well as trainees - will have access to Zen moving floors for both putting and full swing coach education. In addition, the new partnership gives PGA Members priority access to Zen Green Stage and Swing Stage facilities in the UK and they will also benefit from the fastest supply, installation and maintenance services from the Zen team.

Dr Paul Wiseman, PGA Executive Director – Education, said: “This is a very exciting new partnership between Zen Green Stage and The PGA, a leader in golf education.

“The PGA Training Programme is widely recognised as one of the best training programmes in the world. Partnering with brands like Zen Green Stage and installing the world’s most advanced fully-adjustable playing surfaces for golf at The PGA National Training Academy demonstrates we are providing future PGA Professionals with the latest technology in golf coaching.

“Not only do we have the best education programme in golf, but we are now offering our students the opportunity to learn and work with the very best technology in the game.”

Advertisement
Andy Hiseman, Managing Director, Zen Green Stage, added: “Britain leads the way in this important new category – moving floors for golf – and we are thrilled to partner with The PGA as we seek to use this new technology to attract more people to the sport, and to enhance other indoor golf technology by creating accurate sloping lies.

“Our partnership with The PGA will help its Members to learn how to use moving floor technology to give better golf lessons, to better transfer that learning out onto the golf course, and to capture vital new coaching data when people hit shots on gradients.

“We couldn’t be prouder to become a PGA Partner and we look forward to all of the exciting opportunities which it will make possible.”

A familiar sight on Sky Sports TV screens since 2017, the Zen Green Stage is now in use in 18 countries worldwide. Recent buyers include Tour golfers, Major venues, equipment companies, golf academies and other leading golf organisations. The accurately-adjustable Zen Green Stage’s ability to create representative practice environments is being recognised by a growing number of coaches as one of the most important new technologies for coaching since the invention of the launch monitor.

It’s time to move……. ⛳️ 😮 🤯 pic.twitter.com/nQXowwzij7

— Zen Green Stage (@ZenGreenStage) March 17, 2023

Zen Green Stage was a first-time exhibitor at the recent 70th PGA Show in Florida, USA, showcasing the firm's technology and a series of integrations with other leading indoor golf technologies.

After the show, which attracted 30,000 visitors, Hiseman said: "It was thrilling to see the light in people’s eyes when they realised – as the floor moved under their feet – that they were experiencing the dawn of something significant in the sport.

“Last summer we took a big gamble and committed a six-figure sum to something where the outcome was unknown. Now, we cannot imagine what life would be like had we not exhibited. That single week in Orlando has accelerated our company’s global growth by at least a year, and probably more.”

Zen Green Stage website

Images: Zen / PGA

Read more...

News: Rotherham-Sheffield a "thriving innovation ecosystem, with the AMRC at its heart"

Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation, Chris Skidmore MP, visited the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) to see how its model for innovation is powering a manufacturing renaissance in the North of England.

With state-of-the-art facilities on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the minister was the latest to take tour of the AMRC - part of the High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult - to see how it allows academia, industry and government to work together to address challenges around productivity, processes and skills in a range of sectors, including aerospace, energy and construction. He also took part in discussions about the type of investment, commitment and structures the North of England needs to build the innovation, skills and business base required to rebalance the UK economy, reshore industry and recognise the North's full potential.

Speaking about the visit Chris Skidmore said: "This excellent work is supercharging manufacturing in the North of England, demonstrating the importance of industry, academics and government collaborating to boost prosperity.

"Driving innovation in all parts of the UK is vital. We're determined to harness brilliant research like this, to grow the economy and secure our status as a global science superpower.

"Securing the economic benefits of R&D depend on levelling up the Development side of the R&D equation, and, as last year's Manifesto for the North states, strengthening collaboration to deliver productivity and growth.

"It's why the AMRC has been able to transform an area of Yorkshire, formerly best known for its mining pits.

"This is now a thriving innovation ecosystem, with the AMRC at its heart."

Advertisement

Professor Koen Lamberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, added: "At the AMRC we have a tried and tested model of innovation where government, industry and academia work together to drive innovation that makes a measurable difference to regional and national success. The AMRC model is unique because it offers a real space for innovation - where risks can be taken and the products and processes that emerge can be immediately tested in partnership with leading global companies.

"This model could be one of the key drivers for Northern Powerhouse growth, and we are excited to explore how we can work with other universities to adapt it to support towns, cities and industry sectors across the North of England."

The University of Sheffield AMRC is a network of world-leading research and innovation centres that work with some of the world's leading companies including Boeing, Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Siemens and McLaren. The AMRC also undertakes vital research and development projects with SMEs and teaches apprentices of all levels at the AMRC Training Centre.

The majority of the AMRC facilities are based in Rotherham and Sheffield, but the AMRC and the Nuclear AMRC also have sites in Derby, Birkenhead, Preston and Broughton in Wales.

Last November, AMRC Cymru, a £20m state-of-the-art research and development facility in North Wales, was officially opened. In December, the University of Sheffield AMRC was given the green light to build a dedicated facility in the North West of England - AMRC North West.

AMRC website

Images: AMRC

Read more...

News: Gala Tent tightens grip on industry

Rotherham-based Gala Tent has acquired an important patent which relates to the fixings used on its marquees and gazebos.

Founded in 1999, Gala Tent is one of the UK's leading producers of marquees, tents and gazebos. It has grown to sell over 15,000 tents and marquees each year, along with around 100,000 event accessories and furniture products. It grew from a table top operation in Grimethorpe to a company with a turnover of £10m having moved into new 53,000 sq ft headquarters at Fairfield Park in Manvers in 2011.

The patent relates to the manufacture and use of new type of fixing known as Spirotite. This type of fastener has all the advantages of threaded fasteners – without the disadvantages of the thread. Whereas thread can work loose under vibration and makes maintenance difficult and sometimes costly, this innovative fastener works on compression, so it is not affected by vibration, and will not work loose.

Spirotite fittings are seen as safer and more secure than traditional threaded fittings and offer a faster set up and lower maintenance of a product. It is also much more effective than a traditional nut and bolt system, which is less secure, less durable and can easily become loose. Due to the faster production process, Spirotite fasteners are also lower cost to produce, so are more affordable for the end user.

Advertisement

Jason Mace, group CEO at Gala Tent (pictured, right), said: "We are really excited about this innovation, which is suitable for a wide range of applications, from automotive to tool manufacturing to engineering. As well as being an extremely effective and user-friendly product, Spirotite is produced to the highest quality standards here in the UK.

"The grant of these key patents strengthens Gala Tent's position as a consolidator of IP in this space and provides our customers with access to a wider range of opportunities and potential development of further applications."

Mark Thompson, CEO at Gala Tent (pictured, left), added: "We have developed an innovative fastener that is set to revolutionise the way fasteners are used in industry.

"The idea for Spirotite was originally developed for Gala Tent for its marquee joint and it means that all the company's structures are easier and safer to erect. The fixing can also be scaled for the larger commercial modular structures, which will also enhance the security of the marquee, and speeding up the erection time in the process."

Gala Tent website

Images: Gala Tent

Read more...

News: instantprint keeping it fresh with scented menus

It was crust a matter of time and now a Rotherham-based printer has produced the world's first pizza scented menus.

Specialising in 24-hour flyer and leaflets, business cards, posters and stationery, instantprint's product development team was approached by Danny Holman and Simon Holder, aka The Pizza Boys, an independent, Bicester based pizza truck. The existing customers came up with the challenge of sealing the scent of their pizzas into the menus, with long-lasting effect.

The firm merged with fast-growing print experts, Bluetree Design & Print Ltd in 2012 and then moved into bigger premises at Manvers where staff numbers have passed the 250 mark, with further expansion planned.

instantprint, who currently hold Guinness World Record title of the World's Largest Business Card, are no strangers to a challenge and got its print team on to the job of researching inks and print methods to bring some life, and smell, to the menus.

Jon Constantine-Smith, head of instantprint said: "Simon and Danny were existing customers of ours and when they came to us with this off the wall idea for menus, we of course jumped to the challenge. We pride ourselves on being able to deliver exactly what our customers want, and we weren't about to let the fact we'd never done it before stop us."

Advertisement

The menus were created using scented varnish that sees the scent sealed into the paper fibres through a heat setting printing method.

Danny said: "Myself and Simon take real pride in the pizzas we make, using only the finest Italian ingredients along with locally sourced produce to create the best tasting innovative pizza flavours in the area.

"We really wanted this to be reflected in everything, from our custom-built pizza trailer to our menus and branding which is how the idea for scented menus came about. We wanted to stand out for being different and if we're honest, we weren't at all sure it was possible but the guys at instantprint really rose to the challenge.

"We could smell the unmistakeable scent of pizza seasoning when we opened up the package of menus, and we couldn't be more pleased."

Earlier this year, the printers acquired the premises next door to its current location in an expansion that sees the companies' capacity increase by 45%, with the new floorspace being utilised to house staff, including 40 new starters, and also the £6.5m of new technology that has been invested in.

instantprint website

Images: instantprint

Read more...

News: £220m transport bid agreed

Ambitious proposals for the future of the Sheffield City Region's (SCR's) transport network were agreed by the Mayoral Combined Authority this week, and will now be submitted to Government.

As reported by Rothbiz last month, the SCR has put together a bid to the Government's Transforming Cities Fund to back its new transport strategy.

The majority of the fund, to improve local transport connections, was divvied up to regions which had elected mayors, for them to control and spend as they see fit. As the SCR did not have an elected mayor at the time, the combined authority has had to bid into the remaining funds.

The bid, for up to £220m in funding, focuses on three large areas which could most benefit from significant improvements across rail, public transport and active travel schemes. The aim is to reduce journey times, cut congestion, improve punctuality and reliability, and bring about a wide range of benefits associated with active travel, such as improved health and wellbeing.

It focuses on three key transit corridors – the Don Valley, Dearne Valley and Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District (AMID).

Dan Jarvis,mayor of the Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Combined Authority, said: "It is critical that we improve the transport system in our region, to create better access to major employment sites, reduce congestion, better integrate different modes of transport and make our transport network fit for the 21st century.

"That's why it's so important that we get this Transforming Cities Fund bid right, and why we've been working closely with partners across South Yorkshire to ensure that our bid has real potential to drive transformational change for our communities.

"Improving our transport links is crucial for growing our economy as we develop a Global Innovation Corridor, linking residents and businesses to our internationally-significant assets in areas such as advanced manufacturing, health and wellbeing, and engineering.

"I now look forward to working with the Department for Transport as we develop our detailed plans."

Advertisement

Dan Jarvis, mayor of the Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Combined Authority, said: "It is critical that we improve the transport system in our region, to create better access to major employment sites, reduce congestion, better integrate different modes of transport and make our transport network fit for the 21st century.

"That's why it's so important that we get this Transforming Cities Fund bid right, and why we've been working closely with partners across South Yorkshire to ensure that our bid has real potential to drive transformational change for our communities.

"Improving our transport links is crucial for growing our economy as we develop a Global Innovation Corridor, linking residents and businesses to our internationally-significant assets in areas such as advanced manufacturing, health and wellbeing, and engineering.

"I now look forward to working with the Department for Transport as we develop our detailed plans."

In order to develop the business case, a Project Board was then established, led by the SCR Executive Team and South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE), which considered potential schemes put forward by the four local authorities in South Yorkshire.

For Rotherham schemes include:

- connecting Maltby to Rotherham town centre with bus lanes and junction improvements
- bus priority measures on the A630
- active travel improvements between Barnsley and Rotherham town centres and the Dearne Valley
- creating a new access into Parkgate, as well as a new 300-space park and ride site
- providing a new station on the tram-train network at Magna
- low-emission buses

Cllr. Denise Lelliott, Rotherham Council's Cabinet member for Jobs and the Local Economy, said: "I welcome the Mayor's improvement plan for travel across South Yorkshire.

"In Rotherham this will include schemes to reduce traffic congestion, improving bus lanes and maximising the benefits of the tram train as well as helping people to move about more easily."

Over four years, a minimum of £180m and a maximum of £220m is being sought from the TCF. If the SCR gains the maximum funding, £48m would go towards the River Don corridor, £73m to the Dearne Valley and £99m to AMID.

SCR website

Images: SCR / Supertram

Read more...

News: SCR attracts record interest at MIPIM 2019

Sheffield City Region (SCR) has reported huge interest at the recent MIPIM Conference in Cannes, where it revealed over £1.4bn of investable propositions to international investors.

This included demonstrating that over 2,500 hectares of land is available potentially for commercial or housing development, plus SCR has the capacity for around 15,000 new residential units to be built.

Rotherham propositions in the portfolio include Waverley, Templeborough, Dinnington and the regeneration of Rotherham and Swinton town centres.

A packed programme of seminars and panel debates during the three-day event included high profile speakers from housing, development, local authority, property, architecture, finance and law, with over 230 delegates in attendance.

The programme showcased the very best that the region has to offer, including a seminar focusing on Innovation-led growth with a panel of experts from housing, academia and property development, plus an event focused on unlocking investment in the SCR.

The launch of Global Innovation Corridor vision also generated a great deal of interest from investors. Sir Nigel Knowles explained how it will focus on the extensive R&D assets and skilled specialisms of the region and revealed the plans to make it a global magnet for people, industry and innovators that will grow its advanced manufacturing, wellbeing and digital specialisms. The SCR delegation also hosted a Northern Powerhouse panel session alongside other regional counterparts including Leeds and Manchester.

Advertisement

Sir Nigel Knowles, special advisor on international trade and investment to the region's mayor (pictured, right), said: "Not only did we see a significant increase in delegates attending our events this year but we also had a larger number of international investors actively seeking us out to discuss opportunities. Our housing development propositions, proved to be of particular interest, as were our hotel and leisure plans, and we are extremely optimistic about what the outcomes from this year's MIPIM will be.

"MIPIM was a great opportunity to bring together the best of the private and public sectors in our region, and unite them to show the world what makes Sheffield City Region such an attractive place to live, work and invest. We were proud to showcase the significant investment and partnering opportunities for academic, public and private partnerships in our region."

Owen Michaelson, CEO at Rotherham-based Harworth Group plc, one of SCR's sponsors at MIPIM, added: "MIPIM provided a very important forum for land and property related businesses to establish and refine potential deals and cultivate new relationships. We've come back very enthused, reflective and excited about the confidence that exists within Sheffield City Region at the moment. It's a truly exciting time."

SCR partners at this year's MIPIM included the University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University, Harworth, Scarborough Group, Doncaster Sheffield Airport, Atkins, JF Finnegan, Strata, Irwin Mitchell, BE Design, Bond Bryan, Litton Properties, Verdion, IBI Group, Ask4, HLM Architects, David Lake Photography and Arup.

SCR website

Images: SCR

Read more...

News: NIKKEN expand Rotherham innovation centre

Expanding engineering firm, NIKKEN Kosakusho Europe has recently agreed practical completion on the expansion of its flagship Innovation Centre on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham.

With European headquarters on the Barbot Hall Industrial Estate in Rotherham, Nikken enjoys a global dominance of the rotary table technology market and supply manufacturers operating in the aerospace, defence, motorsport, automotive and medical sectors.

In 2015 the company confirmed an investment of around £7m in new facilities on the AMP, creating its first production base outside Japan as part of a move to get closer to its customers.

Now the second phase is complete and will house a number of different elements to further the expansion of the European business. These include a dedicated resource for the provision of services associated with the technical partnership forged earlier this year between NIKKEN and Boeing, supporting the requirements of their first European production facility.

These resources incorporate a dedicated tool room and area for process optimisation, ensuring that the components produced by Boeing Sheffield are done so in the most efficient manner. Part of this includes a turnkey presetting and balancing operation that will streamline the entire process and provide Boeing with all their requirements.

Advertisement

Alongside this, a state-of-the-art laboratory has been installed for the design and testing of the latest Industry 4.0 developments, including software development and PCB design & assembly for the next generation of connected products. These industry-leading solutions enable the remote monitoring and intervention of industrial equipment to streamline processes and increase uptime.

There will also be a product testing area incorporated in to the facilities which will enable NIKKEN research engineers to benchmark and develop new solutions and space will be made available to work alongside customers on innovation - enabling product development without impacting on customers' production capacity.

Nikken now has 19,000 sq ft across the two phases.

Advertisement

Tony Bowkett, CEO and president of NIKKEN Europe, said: "At NIKKEN we are continually developing our technologies, advanced solutions and services. It's exciting times in our company's history and evolution.

"The phase 2 expansion of our research and development activities on the Advanced Manufacturing Park will create further high value career opportunities for local talented engineers.

"The daily mission of our resident engineers, in collaboration with local industrial and technical partners and our colleagues in Japan, is "to improve processes and develop ground-breaking solutions to be applied by our global customer base in their facilities in currently over 75 countries around the world" - engineered here in our NIKKEN Innovation Centre Europe - NICe."

This year, Nikken is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its Japanese parent company, Nikken Kosakusho Works Ltd. that was created in 1958. The European arm was incorporated in 1989 and so will be celebrating its 30th anniversary next year.

Nikken website

Images: Nikken Europe

Read more...

News: Nuclear AMRC showcase innovative SMR work

Experts from the Nuclear AMRC continue to showcase how small modular reactors (SMRs) can be built using British innovation.

SMRs promise to be much more affordable in the UK than the large scale reactors. Just this week, Japanese firm, Toshiba announced it was winding up its UK nuclear business due to "additional costs entailed in continuing to operate NuGen" - initially a joint venture which planned to build up to 3.6GWe of new nuclear capacity at a site in West Cumbria.

The Government has pledged funds to develop SMRs in the UK and the Nuclear AMRC is working with the principal technology vendors in support of their drive for a UK small modular reactor and with companies across the UK to help them seize existing opportunities and be ready for the potential of technologies.

This week around 200 industry experts attended the UK's first government-backed conference to explore the investment opportunities of SMRs and the Nuclear AMRC highlighted its prototype SMR parts produced as part of collaborative research with Sheffield Forgemasters and international partners.

With state of the art facilities on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the £25m Nuclear AMRC is a joint initiative with industry, The University of Sheffield and The University of Manchester's Dalton Nuclear Institute, and is designed to help build and enhance the UK's civil nuclear new build industry.

Speakers at the conference included Nuclear AMRC programme director Jay Shaw, who presented alongside Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) director Neil Rawlinson on how manufacturing innovation can be best applied to the small reactor market.

Advertisement

The event included a showcase of relevant manufacturing technologies, including prototype pressure vessel sections produced by the Nuclear AMRC as part of a collaborative project with the US Electric Power Research Institite.

The aim is to reduce production time for a SMR pressure vessel and parts on show included a pressure vessel section joined by electron beam welding in two hours, compared to some ten days using conventional submerged arc welding techniques; and a pressure vessel head partially clad using advanced diode laser technology.

Andrew Storer, CEO at the Nuclear AMRC (pictured right), said: "The advanced manufacturing technologies we're developing at the Nuclear AMRC will play a vital role in ensuring that new reactor designs are manufactured to cost and schedule, enabling the UK to take a global lead in commercialising small reactors, with huge opportunities for companies across the country.

"We're already working with around 1,000 manufacturers across the UK to help them compete in the worldwide nuclear sector, and we welcome the Government's continuing support for the new generation of clean affordable power."

Advertisement

At the end of October, business secretary Greg Clark MP visited the Nuclear AMRC in Rotherham to see the centre's work in supporting the next generation of nuclear power and delivering the nuclear sector deal.

Clark saw a range of advanced machining, joining and robotic technologies which can significantly increase productivity in the manufacture of a new generation of small and advanced modular reactors.

The MP (pictured centre) said: "This cutting-edge facility in Sheffield is pioneering innovative nuclear technology of the future, as the UK continues to seize the opportunities of moving to a greener, cleaner economy through our modern industrial strategy.

"The UK was the first domestic nuclear power country in the world and this government commissioned the first new nuclear power station in over a generation. The development of small modular reactors as part of our landmark £200m nuclear sector deal could unlock more jobs and more local growth."

The Government's £32m advanced manufacturing and construction programme, which will aim to kickstart the supply chain for small nuclear projects, will be launched before the end of the year.

Nuclear AMRC website

Images: Nuclear AMRC

Read more...

News: Rotherham plant science firm sees rapid growth

A Rotherham start-up specialising in scientific apparatus for plant science research has turned their idea on the back of an envelope into an actual business after accessing a regional business support programme.

Founded by entrepreneurs Alexis Moschopoulos and Richard Banks, Swinton-based Grobotic Systems Ltd designed and manufactured a chamber which is engineered to streamline the process of growing plants under precise controlled environmental conditions for scientific experimentation.

The idea came to Alexis after struggling for many years with poor quality growth chambers while conducting research in plant science and the duo read about Y-Accelerator and saw the local intensive start up programme as an opportunity to make their business, Grobotic Systems, a reality.

Richard Banks, founder of Grobotic, said: "I had a phone call from Alexis and he said an opportunity to push our idea forward into a real thing, a real product had come along and we thought – why not?

"So we signed up for it and it helped turn an idea on the back of an envelope into an actual business."

Developed by RiDO, the Y-Accelerator programme offers the city region's next business leaders the opportunity to benefit from a three-month fast-track development programme featuring expert advice, mentor support and specialist workshops, as well as the chance to pitch to a panel of high-profile investors.

Alexis Moschopoulos, founder of Grobotic, said: "It really helped us focus on our ideas and confirm our beliefs about our product and our target customers. Also, the training on developing a pitch was very good and very helpful for us to concisely pitch for investment on such a niche and complicated subject."

The 12-week programme is back, running from November 2018 to February 2019, and includes business modelling techniques, expert advice, mentors, specialist workshops, market research and individual support to help the ten chosen projects build a strong customer proposition and financial model as well as learn to effectively communicate the business value to customers and investors.

Alexis added: "We would recommend the Y-Accelerator programme because it really helps people to improve their business idea and explain in a clear, concise way what their business is about and to look for funding."

Advertisement

Amanda Parris, business growth manager for RiDO, said: "This is a programme like no other available. We want people who think differently, who we can work with to create a viable, scalable business and this is certainly the case with Alexis and Richard's business.

"We have a highly experienced team, part of Rotherham's network of business incubators, to support entrepreneurs. The Y-Accelerator programme is open to all industry sectors, although logistics, manufacturing, and automation are especially of interest."

While still in the process of prototyping and looking to beta-test soon, Richard and Alexis are looking to the future.

Alexis said: "We see our business in the future expanding. We want our business to expand into different markets, different sectors and around the world."

Richard added: "I have a very modest ambition - that ours should be the first plant growth chambers on Mars!"

Having been involved with the Y-Accelerator for a number of years UK Steel Enterprise, a subsidiary of Tata Steel tasked with helping the economic regeneration of communities affected by changes in the steel industry, is offering a £1,000 prize for the winner of this year's programme.

Keith Williams, regional manager of UKSE, said: "This year, we're offering a cash prize for the winner which will allow them to kick-start their business model that will have been developed and nurtured throughout the 12-week programme. In addition, they will have the opportunity to pitch for investment."

The Y-Accelerator 2018/19 is inviting applications until October 31 2018 through the Sheffield City Region Growth Hub portal.

Grobotic Systems website

Images: UKSE

Read more...

News: Marsden manufactures future of patient weighing

A Rotherham-based manufacturer has helped to realise a unique, revolutionary idea that could change the way immobile patients are weighed.

Based at Templeborough, Marsden manufactures a wide range of weighing scales and devices that are used in hospitals, veterinary surgeries and in industry.

A leading supplier of medical weighing equipment to NHS hospitals, Marsden has been working on a brand new weighing scale since 2016. The Patient Transfer Scale (PTS) was invented by Scottish clinician Gillian Taylor and is designed to accurately weigh immobile patients when traditional weighing scales are unsuitable.

Support from Scottish Health Innovations Limited (SHIL), NHS Lanarkshire (where Gillian worked as an Emergency Department nurse) and Marsden helped her make the idea a reality. SHIL works in partnership with NHS Scotland to identify, protect, develop and commercialise new ideas from healthcare professionals.

Advertisement

Over ten years ago, Taylor was working in the Emergency Department of University Hospital Monklands near Glasgow and was becoming increasingly frustrated by the difficulties of weighing immobile patients. She watched as critical patients arrived in hospital, unable to move and needing medication or treatment as fast as possible, yet weighing them to calculate drug dosages was too difficult or time consuming.

Her idea - which was presented to Marsden in 2016, was to weigh patients at the point where they are laterally transferred from trolley to bed. When a patient arrives in hospital on a trolley, they are almost always transferred to a bed using a transfer slide, or transfer board. Gillian's idea was to create a transfer slide with an in-built weighing scale.

Marsden is now manufacturing a new flat weighing scale, which is thin, lightweight, simplistic, easy to use and which can be kept hygienic.

Gillian Taylor, inventor of the Patient Transfer Scale (PTS), said: "When working in the Emergency Department a child came in with injuries to his legs. Pain control was difficult as an accurate weight was required to support treatment. Patients with sepsis faced a similar issue, with rapid weighing need to ensure an accurate dosage of antibiotics.

"I had the idea of transforming a plastic transfer board into a set of scales which would transfer and weigh the patient simultaneously. I knew getting an accurate weight quickly could save lives, so with the support of SHIL I put my idea into action.

"By moving and weighing the patient at the same time, the PTS improves patient outcomes, without increasing workload, offering significant benefit to both patient and staff."

Advertisement

The new product has the necessary approvals (all Marsden professional medical scales are Class III Approved) and has been tested in over 30 hospitals. It is patented in the UK and patents are pending in the EU and US.

Having officially been launched, the PTS is being supplied by Marsden and its distributors.

PTS is suitable not just for Emergency Departments, but throughout the hospital where a patient is immobile and needs to be weighed. Stroke, Cardiology, Sepsis, Spinal, Head Injury, Renal, ICU, HDU, X-ray, Theatres and Palliative wards for example.

Marsden website

Images: Marsden

Read more...

News: Vision outlined for Global Innovation Corridor

Further details have been revealed for a vision to stretch the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District (AMID) being created in Sheffield and Rotherham to other sites in the Sheffield city region (SCR).

Landowners, Harworth Group and Peel Group, has seen the success of research-led advanced manufacturing revitalising the site of the former Orgreave coking works which is now home to the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) and has attracted leading names such as Rolls-Royce, McLaren and Boeing to the area.

The board of the SCR Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) were recently introduced to the concept of a SCR Global Innovation Corridor (GIC), identifying a series of interconnected physical, economic and networking assets within the city region, using the AMID as the catalyst, and proposing "taking the success of the Advanced Manufacturing Park and repeating it" across the region.

Rothbiz reported in April on plans to accelerate activity around the AMID which aims to create "a 2,000-acre centre of excellence for innovation-led research and industrial collaboration."

Advertisement

With plans recently submitted for the next phase at the AMP which could create a further 400,000 sq ft of space, it is estimated that land at the AMP will run out in the next four to five years and the landowners are hoping to tie together other key anchor points such as the Aerocentre Yorkshire development at the airport and at M1, Junction 36.

A presentation to the board states: "The AMID is running short of space on both sides of the Parkway. There is less than four years worth of developable commercial land at the AMP. Congestion at Junctions 33 and 34 of the M1 remains a concern, as does the reliance on vehicles to move people and goods.

"Further "placemaking" is required to keep occupiers and residents happy [and there is a] need to develop closer links to the catalytic effect of AMID with the rest of the city region."

Work is ongoing on improving connectivity around the innovation district such as proposals to widen the Parkway and improve access to the M1. A mass transit system is being looked at and the previously scrapped Waverley Link Road remains on the drawing board.

A bid to the Government's Transforming Cities Fund is expected to support some of these projects and more.

The LEP board considered that the Global Innovation Corridor idea was a brand and agreed to support the concept in principle and endorsed, subject to further development work, its potential incorporation into the revised SCR Strategic Economic Plan. A more worked up plan of action is set to be presented at a future meeting.

Images: Harworth / Peel

Read more...

News: £10m for innovative manufacturing projects

Local businesses can find out how to access a £10m loan fund innovative manufacturing or materials projects at an event next week.

The aim of this competition is to provide a loan which will help to micro, small and medium enterprises increase manufacturing readiness. It is being run by Innovate UK, the operating name of the Technology Strategy Board, the UK's innovation agency.

Innovate UK and the Knowledge Transfer Network are hosting a number of briefing events with the Rotherham event being held at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) on March 8.

Innovate UK is running a pilot programme of loan competitions over two years to the end of 2019. A total of up to £50m is available for business innovation projects. Innovate UK is working to broaden the range of innovation finance support available to businesses, so they can access funding at all stages of innovation.

Advertisement

Innovation loans will offer affordable, patient, flexible, repayable funding for later-stage research & development projects with a clear route to commercial success.

A spokesperson for Innovate UK said: "This is the second loan competition offered under Innovate UK's pilot programme.

"Recognising that innovations need different types of funding support, Innovate UK's pilot is a patient, flexible loan scheme for projects that are nearer to market, where there tends to be less risk involved."

Proposals should focus on the scale-up of recent or ongoing manufacturing process innovation and/or materials development activities. The project's aim should be to enable UK based companies to progress innovative manufacturing or materials developments to commercial readiness.

Advertisement

The competition scope will cover innovations in manufacturing systems, technologies or processes, and/or materials development, properties, integration or reuse. Loans of between £100,000 and £1 million are available. Projects should last up to five years.

The loan competition is open now and the deadline for registration is at midday on April 25 2018.

Innovate UK website

Images: Innovate UK

Read more...

News: Business roadshows to support skills and innovation

Sheffield Hallam University is holding an "Open for Business" roadshow event in Rotherham next month to help local businesses understand the range of support on offer to help transform the way they work.

Businesses from across the region are invited to sign up to attend the free events to find out about the opportunities on offer in diverse areas of business including Higher and Degree Apprenticeships, internships and placements, knowledge transfer partnerships and access to the University's expertise and facilities through the Sheffield Innovation Programme.

The events are being hosted by the University alongside local enterprise partners in Sheffield, Doncaster, Rotherham and Barnsley and are open to local, national and international businesses.

They will take place between February and April, with the Rotherham event being held at New York Stadium on March 14. Partners in attendance include University Centre Rotherham – part of RNN Group and Rotherham Investment & Development Office (RiDO).

Advertisement

Conor Moss, director of education and employer partnerships at Sheffield Hallam, said: "We want to be a university for the broader region with an applied approach to creating knowledge, innovations and solutions that impact on people's lives and being a beacon for what a university can do for and with its community.

"We work particularly closely with the Local Enterprise Partnership to identify hard-to-fill job areas, aiming to increase graduate employment in small and medium sized enterprises in the Sheffield city region.

"As well as supporting businesses to access to our talented graduates, we want to work within those companies and help with their own people development through the newly developed Degree Apprenticeships funded by the Apprenticeship Levy.

"These roadshows aim to show businesses we don't yet work with the range of opportunities on offer to them to develop their talent and transform the way they do business and I'd encourage businesses of all sizes to come along and find out more."

SHU Business Gateway

Images: RUFC

Read more...

News: Brainbox Melvyn's grey matter leads to grey water solution

Melvyn Davenport, a talented plastic injection moulding specialist, has begun production of his new water-saving invention having secured funding from the Sheffield city region (SCR).

Melvyn, a keen gardener, had the bright idea of saving not just rainwater, but the "grey" water from showers and sinks, to re-use for the garden, toilet, and even for washing the car.

The idea became the "Watflo System", which has two parts: the "Brainbox" computer which controls water flowing simultaneously both into and out of an everyday garden water butt, through a two-way "diverter" pipe – another of his inventions. Saving and re-using both sources of water make it a unique product.

Brainbox displays the amount of water being used and saved, and in the future will be able to be monitored by an app from anywhere in the world. Since flushing the toilet in the average household can be up to 30% of total use, and hosepipes can use 1,000 litres an hour, that means a considerable financial saving for those who are metered. Baths, showers, dishwashers and washing machines can also be connected to the system.

Parts for Watflo Systems Ltd are made by companies in Doncaster and Rotherham and assembled in Wath.

Advertisement

Melvyn has successfully secured £47,000 in grant funding through the Sheffield city region to the Business Investment Fund which has supported the tooling costs for the Brainbox.

Melvyn Davenport, inventor of the Watflo system, said: "I was very lucky to have the help of Henry Murch, the City Region Access to Finance Advisor. He was highly experienced and able to help me overcome a range of issues that needed resolving, and was infinitely patient. I can't thank him enough!

"Watflo wouldn't be in existence if it weren't for the SCR funding."

Further design and packaging work for the podlike Brainbox was done with Sheffield Hallam University's Design Futures group, and the system has been patented.

Melvyn now has a five-year agreement for worldwide distribution to market Watflo with a major company in the renewables market, demonstrating that there is a big market for the idea.

Davenport added: "While the key benefit in the UK is savings on water bills, in countries with water shortages the system could massively save water consumption and significantly improve the quality of life for many people."

Dave Grimes, head of the City Region Growth Hub, added: "This region has a strong business ethic – we grab each opportunity and make the most of it, whatever the size of the company, whatever its sector and whatever its ambition. We do this daily with regional and international business partners alike."

Key account and business growth managers from Rotherham Investment & Development Office (RiDO) have supported Melvyn since 2014. Jon Denton provided support with developing marketing strategy, sales techniques and apprenticeships; Sue Harrison referred Watflo to the Access to Finance Centre of Excellence and Finance for Enterprise regarding start-up loans, and Mike Stanley introduced Melvyn to the Northern Powerhouse Investment Team.

Last year Watflo, scooped the prestigious Gold award at the biannual Waterwise UK Water Efficiency Product Awards.

Watflo website
SCR Growth Hub website

Images: SCR

Read more...

News: AMRC tests "beautifully simple" new construction aid

A retired builder-turned-entrepreneur has invented and patented a brand new method of joining roof battens which will not only improve construction safety, but make a roof quicker and easier to assemble than the traditional method.

The KEAH Roof Batten Joints have been tested and verified for use at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre's (AMRC) Advanced Structural Testing Centre (ASTC) after KEAH director Ken Johnson chose to work with the team there due to their ability to create bespoke testing systems and procedures at the UKAS accredited facility.

Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham and a partner in the HVM Catapult (the Government's strategic initiative that aims to revitalise the manufacturing industry), the AMRC focuses on advanced machining and materials research for aerospace and other high-value manufacturing sectors.

It houses the ASTC which provides state-of-the-art means, methods and skills to validate engineering materials, components, assemblies and full products.

Advertisement

Ken, from Leeds, who is 70 years old, has spent the majority of his career as a builder and developer in the construction industry. After retiring from his construction businesses, he felt driven to put his own ideas formulated through his vast wealth of experience on building sites, into action to improve construction processes.

Ken created a new company, KEAH, to bring those ideas to life starting with the innovative Plastic Pipe Chamfer and now the ground-breaking new roofing aid which is completely manufactured in Yorkshire.

The Roof Batten Joint is a plastic injection-moulded, push-fit "joint" to easily connect horizontal wooden roof battens at any point along a roof structure, instead of needing to trim them to size and nail them to the vertical roofing spas.

Ken Johnson, inventor of the KEAH joints (pictured, right), said: "After working in construction all my life and having first-hand experience of the issues that can cause delays and cost resources on site, I thought there must be a smarter way to complete those time-consuming intensive manual jobs.

"The joints make felting and lathing a roof quicker, but also safer and stronger than the usual methods as they eliminate weakening of the roof structure from trimming and patching battens that can lead to split batten ends and joint failure."

Advertisement

The ASTC are testing the batten joints to destruction using a bespoke testing technique.

Phil Spiers, Head of the ASTC (pictured, left), said: "KEAH constructed a roofing model that fits perfectly into our Tall Rig. The rig was developed during project work with Sheffield-based Gripple UK, and has the capability to conduct longer and more accurate tests for a variety of purposes.

"We applied loads to the KEAH joints using the rig until failure of the roof batten, noted the mode of failure and the maximum load achieved just prior to failure. Compared to the traditional joint the KEAH joints were capable of carrying an extra ten stone on average.

Described as beautifully simple, the KEAH joints, which will save time and material waste, are stronger than traditional nailed roof batten fixtures and experienced lower rates of failure.

KEAH have already developed the product through a series of prototypes and have been working closely with national construction and roofing companies to ensure the product meets the needs of those keen to get their hands on the new technology.

The company benefited from SME grant funding through the High Value Manufacturing Catapult to pay up to 50% of the costs for the testing.

Johnson, added: "For a small company such as ours, it really helps us get this pioneering roofing product off the ground. The testing is invaluable as it means we will now be able to approach our potential end users and confidently state the load bearing weights of our product and that the joints are ready to go into production thanks to the AMRC."

AMRC website

Images: AMRC

Read more...

News: Turning university research into businesses

The University of Sheffield will be part of a pioneering £5m project which aims to transform the process of turning research into businesses across the North of England.

Announced this week by the Universities Minister, Jo Johnson (pictured in Rotherham in 2015), the funding will see Sheffield work with the Universities of Manchester and Leeds to develop a Northern Triangle Initiative (NTI).

The NTI will support the growth of a significantly enhanced, shared intellectual property pipeline, set up a unique regionally-focussed finance vehicle, seek to raise £350min private finance to support university commercialisation, and strengthen the entrepreneurial eco-system of the North of England.

In particular, the award will allow the partners to collaborate in developing intellectual property projects into business propositions in areas of common strength such as advanced materials, medical technologies and computer science.

The partnership between academia and industry is nowhere stronger than the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing and the Nuclear AMRC, which both have significant state of the art facilities on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham.

The centre attracts paid industry members at different tiers, keen to make use of the world-class machines and facilities at the AMRC. The model also enables the centre to secure European and Government funding for a diverse range of cutting edge technologies, from shaped metal deposition in the aerospace industry to the use of bio-composites in the automotive industry.

Advertisement

Professor John Derrick, Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the University of Sheffield, said: "The funding for the Northern Triangle Initiative lays the foundations for new advanced science and innovative industry collaborations that will help to deliver real change and create economic growth not only for the north but the whole of the UK.

"At Sheffield we are immensely proud of our longstanding research-industry links - particularly in advanced manufacturing - and we are looking forward to working with our partner institutions on this inspiring initiative and extend these even further to bridge the gap between the outstanding research undertaken in universities and industry."

The funding forms part of an allocation of £20m to winners of the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) Connecting Capability Fund competition and forms part of the Government's Industrial Strategy green paper.

The fund supports universities in working together and with external partners to commercialise research, help deliver the strategy and share good practice and capacity.

Lasting for three years, the immediate aims of the project are to work with investors and entrepreneurs to form a dynamic support system and initiate and develop some 75 technology transfer projects across the three partner universities.

AMRC website

Images: AMRC

Read more...