Birmingham based manufacturing company Thermotec Plastics are working with WMG to gather valuable data on the properties of a new material they have developed for a luxury auto manufacturer. Once the properties are identified, a number of new market opportunities for the company will be developed and the data will add further credibility to existing client relationships.
One of Thermotecs key clients, a luxury auto manufacturer had a specific requirement for performance related data for a new composite material that Thermotec were using to make their components. Thermotec were unable to get hold of the data themselves as the testing equipment required was investment prohibitive. Fortunately, managing director, David Rose identified that the relevant testing capabilities existed at WMG and through WMGs funded support programme for SMEs at the International Institute for Product and Service Innovation, they were able to access the facilities they needed free of charge. Access to the facilities was coupled with expert mentoring and guidance for how they might be able to conduct the testing themselves in the future.
Thermotec informed WMGs Dr Ben Wood of the client requirements and Ben developed a testing matrix to satisfy all of the known performance criteria. Testing is currently underway and once results are gathered, Thermotec will be able to demonstrate the capability of their products with meaningful, technical data that will be used by the customer on a £500K potential project. It will also allow Thermotec to target other clients with a potential spend expectation of £1M.
David Rose, managing director of Thermotec Plastics said:
We are delighted to be able to get access to equipment and capabilities that we just wouldnt be able to bring in-house. The team at WMG are extremely knowledgeable and helpful and other SMEs in the region should make use of the support programme they offer.
Dr Ben Wood, technology transfer specialist at WMG said:
Thermotec Plastics is an innovative forward thinking company and it has been great to help them with this specific materials challenge. We are offering materials health checks for SMEs across the West Midlands as well as support with new product development and other manufacturing challenges that businesses may have.
For more information about the support WMG offers to SMEs, visit: www.warwick.ac.uk/iipsi or call 02476 575 594.