Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and the Marine Sector
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) are one of the government’s best kept secrets, yet for those in the know, the benefits are huge. You could tap into ground-breaking research from one of the UK’s knowledge bases to help develop and grow your business.
KTPs help businesses address long-term, strategic issues within their organisation by collaborating with skilled academics and qualified graduates. Projects can vary from between 10 weeks to three years. An average two-year project costs around £125,000 with an SME only contributing 33% of the total costs; a larger organisation pays 50% of the costs.
Average benefits achieved by a KTP project include:
- An increase of over £220,000 in annual profits before tax
- The creation of three genuine new jobs
- An increase in the expertise of existing staff
KTP has a long history of working with businesses in the marine sector. J and S Marine Ltd, Pendennis Shipyard Holdings Ltd, Aberdeen Harbour Board and Milford Docks Company Ltd are all examples of businesses who have gained substantially from participating in a KTP project.
J and S Marine is an engineering company which offers technical solutions for the Defence and Energy markets. The company employs over 120 staff with its HQ in Barnstaple which also provides technical expertise primarily for the Naval Defence Industry.
The company designs and manufactures complex systems and equipment for specialist sectors, for example, underwater sonar, GPS survey equipment for sea bed survey. J & S Marine trades within a very competitive environment. The company recognised that to provide a strong basis for business success, it needed to review its processes, increase efficiency and maximise its use of resources in line with lean manufacturing practices. The company approached the University of Exeter for a KTP partnership.
As a result of the KTP, the company has successfully reviewed and changed its processes and systems so that it has a better foundation for future business success.
The 'Five S' system was applied as part of a visual factory (workplace) management approach. Five S alludes to five actions: sort, stabilise, shine, standardise and sustain. This technique was chosen because of its proven ability to bring about improved profitability, efficiency, service and safety.
The Five S system helped to identify a number of areas for improvement and refurbishment and monthly audits were set up to monitor housekeeping, resource efficiency, energy efficiency and heath and safety.
Business analysis set out six key performance indicators to help bring about further improvements and these indicators are collated on a monthly basis.
As a result of greater efficiency, the company has been able to reduce days late in its delivery by around 15 days. This is expected to increase turnover by £350,000. In the three year period following the KTP project and an annual profit of £112,000 is anticipated before tax.
For information on other company case studies go to http://casestudies.ktponline.org.uk/casestudies
For nearly 35 years, KTP has been helping to strengthen the competitiveness, wealth creation and economic performance of the UK through innovative, collaborative projects between businesses and academics. Funding is provided by government, and is led by the Technology Strategy Board.
If you would like to take advantage of the skills and funding available through KTP please visit http://www.ktponline.org.uk/business or call the KTP helpline on 0870 190 2829.
KTP advisors for the Solent and South East region are:
Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, South East London
Dr Terry Corner - Telephone: 01732 456136 or 07768 614069 Email: terry@terrycorner.co.uk
Hampshire, South & West Berkshire, West Surrey
Ms Jan Dobson - Telephone: 01264 735452 or 07828 698228 Email: jan.dob@talktalk.net
South Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Central & SW London
Mr Martin Fakley - Telephone: 01489 787446 or 08702 469809 Email: mfa@thefakleys.co.uk
Berkshire, Surrey, Central & SW London
Dr Paul Naylor - Telephone: 01276 676203 or 07990 973750 Email: paul.tcd@drnaylor.freeserve.co.uk
Oxfordshire
Dr Gillian Rysiecki - Telephone: 01488 680860 or 07818 422293
Email: grysiecki@aol.com
Send this story to a colleague
