News
Minister praises Ford link-up
A new University agreement with Ford UK focussing on operations at its Bridgend plant has been praised by Welsh Government Minister for Business, Enterprise, Technology & Science, Edwina Hart AM.
The new Joint Working Agreement with Ford will see University experts from the Schools of Engineering, Computer Science and Informatics and others share their research capability, knowledge, and teaching expertise with the company to help improve, amongst other areas, production processes and cost reduction.
Speaking during a visit today (Monday 19th March) to the Ford plant at Bridgend, the Minister Edwina Hart AM said: "Ford Motor Company and Cardiff University are both highly respected in their fields in Wales and internationally.
"This new Joint Working Agreement is just the kind of partnership that I want to see between our universities and the anchor companies in Wales.
"Modern manufacturing is one of my top priorities and I am delighted that Ford will be working with Cardiff University to make their operations here even more successful."
The agreement was signed during a visit to Ford’s Engine Plant where the Minister was joined by Kieran Cahill, Ford Bridgend’s Plant Manager; University Vice-Chancellor, Dr David Grant, and the University’s Director of Business and Strategic Partnerships, Professor Derek Jones.
Professor Derek Jones said: "The overarching priority will be to identify projects which will best help to improve profitable operations and innovative, carbon efficient, manufacturing. Reducing energy costs will be an early priority.
"Collaboration and the sharing of knowledge will take place through a range of methods, including research and development projects, student scholarships and placements and staff exchanges and secondments."
Kieran Cahill, Ford Bridgend plant manager, said: "This agreement marks a new step in the fast-growing, dynamic relationship between Ford Bridgend and Cardiff University, and we are delighted to be working together."
The new agreement builds on the existing relationship with the University and its series of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs), a Technology Strategy Board programme designed to support UK businesses improve their competitiveness, productivity and performance by accessing the knowledge and expertise available within UK Universities.
KTP in Wales is managed and part sponsored by the Welsh Government.
Paul Thomas of the University’s KTP Office said: "Our latest KTPs see experts from the Cardiff School of Engineering working alongside Ford management and engineers to overcome challenges within the manufacturing process.
"This fourth partnership enables Ford to access Cardiff University’s expertise by employing a graduate to work directly on the project under the joint supervision of Ford and academic staff for two years. The project sets out to help Ford improve its competitiveness and productivity, specifically targeting knowledge, technology and skills.
"I am delighted to help drive our strategic partnership forward with the very strong support from the senior management at Ford Bridgend."
In January, the University was also selected as one of the few UK universities to participate in the prestigious Ford Blue Oval Scholarship Programme.
The Scholarships offer the opportunity of sponsorship, over three years, to undergraduates from a selection of engineering, science, manufacturing and technology courses. Ford allocated £100,000 to the University to fund scholarships of £10,000 for each of ten students.
Professor Derek Jones added: "Cardiff University was really very pleased to be selected by Ford to receive these new scholarships.
"The scholarships will help encourage a new generation of engineers, scientists and innovators and, together with this new partnership agreement between Cardiff University and Ford, will help confirm Wales’s reputation as a leading area for modern manufacturing."
Showcasing Knowledge Transfer
Successful Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Highlighted
Some of the University’s best examples of knowledge transfer taking expert University knowledge into businesses to help them improve have been showcased.
The first Cardiff University Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) conference showcased the best of KTP at the University and highlighted successful collaboration and informed delegates of the benefits of the scheme.
KTP – funded by 19 Government sponsors - involves the formation of a partnership between business and Cardiff University. By participating in KTP, companies can access highly qualified people to spearhead new projects and access experts who can develop innovative solutions to help business grow.
Dr Helen McCarthy, Cardiff University KTP office, who organised the conference said: “The conference was an opportunity to showcase Knowledge Transfer Partnerships at Cardiff University. The event was supported with more than 115 people attending with representation from over 36 companies, 14 academic schools and government sponsors.”
The partnership between a business and Cardiff University recruits a graduate (Associate) to work at the business and drive the project. Academics can develop business relevant teaching and research; apply their innovative research into real life business situations; and identify new research themes and undergraduate/postgraduate projects.
Paul Thomas, Cardiff University KTP office, added: “Delegates seized the opportunity to network with company and academic partners from current KTP projects at Cardiff University which included AgriSense BCS Ltd, BRE, GE Healthcare, LAS recycling and SKF Airframe.
“Delegates were also able to view poster presentations from 17 of the Associates from current University partnerships,” he added.
Speakers included David Way, Director of Knowledge Exchange & Special Projects at the Technology Strategy Board; Nick Battersby, MD, REID Lifting and Andrew Price, Quality & Engineering Manager, Ford Motor Co. Bridgend,
Attendees also heard from Simon Elias, Director of the Lean Enterprise Research Centre (LERC), Cardiff Business School, as well as hearing the KTP Associates perspective from Alastair Bennett (Ford Motor Co) and Tess Saltmarsh (Ortho Clinical Diagnostics).
The winner of the poster competition was Peter Italiano, an Associate for the partnership between Reid Lifting and the School of Engineering who won an iPad2.
View a selection of photos from the day.
A selection of Associates posters can be found here:
Alex Harrison (School of Biosciences & GE Healthcare)
Alex Sutton (School of Engineering & Ford Motor Company)
Gaspare Benenati (School of Biosciences & Ortho clinical Diagnostics)
Kate Hodgson (School of Psychology & Llamau)
Kate Ladeira Lima (School of Engineering & LAS Recycling Ltd)
Lloyd Warlow (Cardiff Business School and Yeo Valley)
Mark Leggett (School of Pharmacy & STERIS)
Peter Italiano (School of Engineering & Reid Lifting Ltd)
Tanuj Singh (School of Engineering & AgriSense BSC Ltd)
Tess Saltmarsh (School of Biosciences & Ortho clinical Diagnostics)
Innovation blossoms at REID Lifting and Cardiff University
Leading designer and manufacturer of lightweight, portable and safe lifting systems, REID Lifting Ltd, has teamed up with Cardiff University to mutual benefit, drawing on the establishment's supply of talent and offering its own technical expertise and project opportunities in return.
REID relies on innovation to maintain its leadership position in its specialist markets, offering unique, market leading lifting solutions. By constant innovative developments of new products to address market and operational demands, REID stays ahead of the competition.
This focus on innovation has continued with a recent partnership with Cardiff University, through the Department of Trade and Industry's "Knowledge Transfer Partnership", supported by the Welsh Government. This programme has linked the University and REID through a post graduate placement programme.
Starting just over 12 months ago, it has already led to positive outcomes for all parties including an exciting new development to REID's PORTA-GANTRY range with the recent announcement of the new PORTA-GANTRY RAPIDE. The PORTA-GANTRY RAPIDE is an ultra lightweight, rapid deployment gantry system that folds down into its own structure for compact stowage and portability, and can be assembled for use in just one minute.
Launched on 24th May at the IWEX 2011 exhibition at the NEC, Birmingham, the PORTA-GANTRY RAPIDE attracted significant attention from many sectors for goods lifting, confined space and working at height applications, where it adds new dimensions to solutions available for personnel protection and safe working practices with rapid deployment lifting capability. It has been designed to be compliant with both European and North American standards and to exceed EN795 Class B standards for personnel lifting systems.
REID's graduate designer, Peter Italiano, attended the launch at IWEX and said: "the KTP programme has allowed REID and I to work closely with the academics at Cardiff University's School of Engineering, developing this innovative new product while providing practical experience and additional projects for other students at the university.
"It has also given me a thorough introduction into a design engineering position where I have been able to make an early contribution to REID's new product portfolio while gaining experience not only of product design and development but marketing and manufacturing aspects as well."
REID's Sales & Marketing Director, Phillip Ellis added: "It has been a very productive and enjoyable experience working with the University and KTP advisor. The new PORTA-GANTRY RAPIDE proves the success of the programme, with further developments to follow."
The PORTA-GANTRY RAPIDE can be used for goods lifting to 500kg. Demonstrated below is a configuration for personnel positioning, with a Sala Winch and fall arrest unit for the operative, as well as a fall arrest unit for the "top man". The PORTA-GANTRY RAPIDE system folds away into its own structure for easy transport.
Cutting Alcohol Related Injuries
Leading University research helping to cut the growing tide of binge drinking and alcohol related injuries is set to be rolled out across NHS Wales.
Award winning research by Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Jonathan Shepherd, School of Dentistry, and his Violence Research Group has found that it is possible to detect alcohol misuse and treat it using motivational interviews (‘brief interventions’) when patients with injuries return to hospital – trauma and maxillofacial clinics, for standard injury care.
The project is the first Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) in the public sector.
KTP is a part-government funded Technology Strategy Board scheme designed to help businesses and other organisations such as the NHS by tapping into and utilising the knowledge and expertise that resides in universities.
Professor Shepherd, School of Dentistry, who will oversee the development of the initiative, said: “Excessive drinking is a major cause of illness, injury, and behavioural problems in Wales.
“The Chief Medical Officer for Wales’ latest annual report found that some 45,000 hospital admissions and 1,000 deaths every year in Wales are linked to alcohol misuse.
“One way to address this is through brief interventions. Hospital admission can be a sobering experience for people and evidence shows that people are more receptive to healthcare messages when they are delivered in a clinical setting.”
“It is for this reason that this partnership, the first for Cardiff University’s School of Dentistry and the NHS, is the means of transferring our expert knowledge for the practical benefit of Welsh patients.”
Patients who return to hospital for treatment after a drink related injury will receive advice from nurses in a bid to help them change their drinking habits.
Nurses at hospitals across Wales are being encouraged to sign up for the programme and receive training in delivering the intervention.
Dr Tony Jewell, Chief Medical Officer for Wales, said: "The Welsh Assembly Government’s substance misuse strategy has provided the impetus for the provision of training in how to identify high-risk individuals and how to give advice in primary care settings, A&E departments and other settings.
“In my recent letter to the service I highlighted the need to educate people about the health risks associated with exceeding safe drinking limits and make sure the health service takes this opportunity to engage fully in this training programme.
“Binge drinking culture is getting worse in Wales. Evidence-based interventions will help reduce the long term damage from excessive drinking and the increasing burden on the NHS.”
Funding Boost Benefits Small to Medium Sized Companies
The Technology Strategy Board, the lead organisation for Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) has announced an increase in funding to SMEs and third sector organisations that are participating in KTPs.
The move took effect from April 1st 2009 and reduced organisations’ own contribution to costs from 33% to 25%. This will aid companies already participating in KTP and provide a large incentive for organisations wishing to participate.
It is well documented that companies and organisations derive great benefit from KTP, not only due to the knowledge gained but from the resulting increases in turnover and profit. The Technology Strategy Board therefore views the scheme as a way to better position companies to exploit the economic upturn when it arrives.
If you require any further information, please contact us at Cardiff University’s KTP Office or see the Technology Strategy Board site.
Email: ktp@cardiff.ac.uk or Tel: 029 2087 9032
Cardiff Success at National KTP Awards
An exchange of expertise and knowledge which helped produce one of the UK’s leading recycling facilities as been recognised at the National KTP awards. Dr Nia Jones, KTP Associate accepted the Award from Lord Paul, on behalf of the Partnership.
From left to right: Mark Saunders; MD of LAS Recycling, Dr Jarmila Davies; Welsh Assembly Government Sponsor, Chris Saunders; Chairman of LAS Recycling, Dr Nia Jones; KTP Associate, Lord Paul Swraj, Professor Anthony Griffiths of Cardiff University, Dr Ted Jones; KTP Advisor,Paul Thomas; Cardiff University KTP Officer, Professor Keith Williams of Cardiff University.
LAS Recycling Ltd entered into partnership with Cardiff University as part of a long-term strategy to enhance and extend its sustainable development in the context of changing waste legislation.
A team from the School of Engineering led by Professors Keith Williams and Tony Griffiths, helped to substantially enhance the company’s waste management capabilities through the design and commissioning of a new Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). This new MRF facility, now in full operation at LAS Recycling’s Lampeter site, allows recyclable materials to be separated out during waste processing. Capable of processing a wide range of food materials, it has increased throughput and recovery rate: some 46,000 tonnes per year of municipal soiled waste can now be processed, diverting up to 50% from landfill.
Chris Saunders, Managing Director at LAS Recycling, said: “We initiated this Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Cardiff University because we needed to update our facilities to meet with changing industry needs and legislation. The new facility designed with the help of the School of Engineering has placed us in a much stronger position to react to changes within our industry.”
Professor Keith Williams, School of Engineering, said: “This partnership has been so beneficial to all involved and it is an honour to come so close to winning. Professor Griffiths and I, along with the rest of our team here, have gained a valuable insight into the waste management problems faced by local authorities today. We have also had the opportunity to gather much useful data which can be fed back into our teaching”.
To find out more about Knowledge Transfer Partnerships at the University, please contact Paul Thomas on 029 20875882 or Dr. Claire Harvey on 029 20879032 or email ktp@Cardiff.ac.uk.
Recognition for Successful Knowledge Transfer Partnership Award for the University and LAS Recycling Limited
A successful partnership which saw University expertise improving the productivity and sustainability of a Welsh waste management firm has been recognised at the 2009 annual Knowledge Transfer Partnership Welsh Regional Awards.
Cardiff University and LAS Recycling Ltd were presented with the Wales KTP Award by Dr David Grant, Vice-Chancellor of the University, at a ceremony held in Cardiff. Dr Grant, standing in for Iain Gray, Chief Executive of the Technology Strategy Board, presented the award on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government in his capacity as a member of the Technology Strategy Board.
LAS Recycling Ltd entered into partnership with the University as part of a long-term strategy to enhance and extend its sustainable development in the context of changing waste legislation.
Working with a team from the School of Engineering, led by Professors Keith Williams and Tony Griffiths, the Partnership substantially enhanced the company’s waste management capabilities through the design and commissioning of a new materials recovery facility.
This new facility, now in full operation at the firm’s Lampeter site, allows recyclable materials to be separated out during waste processing. Capable of processing a wide range of food materials, it has increased throughput and recovery rate: some 46,000 tonnes per year of municipal soiled waste can now be processed, diverting up to 50% from landfill.
This increase in throughput, coupled with the ability to process a wider range of waste feeds, has led to a significant increase in turnover for the firm. It has also helped improve recycling performance for Ceredigion County Council, raising the profile of LAS as a leading player in the Welsh waste management field.
Chris Saunders, Managing Director at LAS Recycling Ltd, said: “We initiated this Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Cardiff University because we were aware of a need to update our facilities to meet with changing industry needs and waste legislation. The new facility designed with the help of the School of Engineering has placed us in a much stronger position to react to changes within our industry”.
Professor Keith Williams, School of Engineering, said: “This partnership has been so beneficial to all involved and it is an honour to have this success recognised today. Professor Griffiths and I, along with the rest of our team here, have gained a valuable insight into the waste management problems faced by local authorities today. We have also had the opportunity to gather much useful data which can be fed back into our teaching”.
Another person who benefited from the Knowledge Transfer Partnership was the partnership’s Associate, Dr. Nia Owen. Associates are recent graduates employed by the partnership. Nia’s extensive knowledge of environmental engineering has had a very positive impact on LAS Recycling Ltd and she has been directly involved in all stages of the project. As well as gaining valuable professional experience, she has developed many useful contacts and built up her general management skills.
Paul Thomas, the University’s Knowledge Transfer Partnership Office Manager, said: “I first met the Managing Director of LAS Recycling, Chris Saunders, at a business event in Mid-Wales in 2002. Since then, the collaboration between Cardiff university and LAS Recycling has flourished.
This award today highlights the significant achievements that are possible for both the University and its industrial partners via KTP. Building on this excellent work, both Cardiff and LAS Recycling relish the follow-up KTP, which was approved earlier this month and is widely anticipated to lead to even greater rewards for the Partnership”.
Cardiff University is an active partner in Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP), Europe’s leading programme helping business to improve their competitiveness and productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills residing within the UK knowledge base.
To find out more about Knowledge Transfer Partnerships at the University, please contact