Academics help businesses through the downturn

Innovation will ensure short term survival as well as longer term stability, argues Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP), a programme headed by the Technology Strategy Board - an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by the UK's Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.

In a recent survey, KTP found that over two thirds (64%) of food manufacturers believed a commitment to innovation was more important during a downturn than when times were good. And over one third were taking steps to build knowledge and innovation into their businesses by inviting graduates or post graduates to undertake work placements. Some two thirds were also running internal working groups and cross-team meetings to foster a culture of ideas and knowledge sharing.

"These are clearly very testing times for the manufacturing sector, and businesses must focus both on short term survival, as well as longer term stability in a global marketplace," says Dr Debbie Buckley-Golder, programme director for KTP.

"KTP continues to work to bring together businesses with the higher and further education sectors to facilitate effective knowledge transfer in the UK."

Almost half of manufacturers in the survey said their focus on innovation and product design had increased due to the growth of global markets, and that they used new product development as a strategy to compete with low wage economies such as China and India.

One company that is benefiting from innovation through KTP is Kate's Cakes. Nishant Fatania, now manufacturing manager at the company, has helped with product development launches, costing initiatives and waste reduction. "We wanted to bring an academic into the business, to help us innovate and bring efficiency. Fatania has done a wonderful job in the relatively short time he has been with us," says Tim Breden, head of operations at Kate's Cakes (see p32).