Innovate UK’s Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme helps UK businesses innovate and grow, by giving them access to the expertise and funding they need to address strategic challenges. Whilst UK businesses of any size are eligible for KTP support, the programme can be particularly effective for SMEs looking to improve their competitiveness and productivity.

WMG’s SME Group has extensive experience of helping SMEs to access KTP innovation funding, supporting engagement with the KTP programme from initial application and project scoping, through to recruitment of graduate KTP Associates and delivery of solutions.

The KTP Model

The KTP model enables UK businesses to access innovation funding, high-level academic expertise, a dedicated project delivery team, the resources of a university and Knowledge Transfer Adviser, as well as the support offered by links to the wider Knowledge Transfer Network – all for costs comparable to those of employing a graduate. The part-funded grant and partnership model shares the risk of innovation, and the leadership of the Associate develops high-level skills and capabilities for minimal investment. Almost 90% of KTP applications are successful, and nearly 70% of KTP Associates are taken on as employees by businesses following the close of a KTP project.

KTPs at WMG

WMG has worked on 7 KTP programmes with SME businesses to date, covering a variety of sectors from safety & healthcare products, to forging, automotive, and food & drink. Examples:-

 Harry Masons Ltd, a Midlands-based SME manufacturer of real ale / craft beer drink dispensers, developed a prototype cask pump and valve which simplified drawing & dispensing beer from both keg and cask sources. The business was seeking support with scaling the product for the home / private event markets. WMG worked with Harry Masons to develop a business plan for the product, leading to a successful KTP application. The KTP project has already helped Harry Masons achieve sales of 2,000 unit per annum, with work scaling manufacturing and assembly to 12,000 units per annum.

 WMG is supporting SME manufacturer Centurion Safety Products Ltd to develop innovative new practices, equipment and materials, enabling mass customisation of helmet shells and cradles. A KTP Associate is delivering work on additive manufacturing, finite element analysis and material development, underpinned by WMG’s expertise in these areas. This will help the business both to distinguish its offer from competitors’ within their existing sales channels, and to expand into growing Middle East and US markets with unique and differentiated products. The project is expected to increase sales for the business by £5m and profit by £600k.

 WMG is also undertaking a KTP project with Raleigh Coatings Ltd, an SME manufacturer of healthcare products, to implement 100% automated process control technology on a continuous coating product line. The work focuses on installing cameras, sensors and process control software, enabling a data-driven approach for process optimisation. The business needs to take this step to meet a forecasted target of more than double current revenue within two years.

Rafik Amoura, Head of Engineering & New Product Development at Centurion Safety, commented: “We are excited to be working with an academic department such as WMG for the duration of the KTP program. WMG has enabled us to understand the complexities of novel materials and manufacturing processes and be better positioned to adopt them in the future. They are supporting us be to more innovative and think differently, which is enabling us to stay competitive in the future.”

Jack Lee, KTP Associate at Centurion Safety adds: “Being a KTP associate has given me the opportunity to experience a range of opportunities early in my career. Another benefit of working between an industrial & academic setting gives is the unique & detailed perspective it provides on innovation and its challenges.”

If you are interested in learning more about how a KTP could benefit your business, please contact wmgsme@warwick.ac.uk.