Businesses to benefit from advanced digital, materials and user focussed design expertise

Over 70 SMEs from across the West Midlands attended WMG’s International Digital Lab, last week, to find out about WMG’s latest SME focussed centre – The International Institute for Product and Service Innovation. The event showcased the broad range of product and service technology and expertise that will feature in the new building when it opens in September 2012. The event was opened by Dr Mark Swift, Head of SME Programmes at WMG and featured a key note address from Professor Tim Jones, Pro Vice Chancellor for Knowledge Transfer, Business Engagement and Research at the University of Warwick. Three West Midlands based SME directors also talked about their experiences of working with the WMG SME team, including Maurice Cassidy of Barkley Plastics Ltd, Tom Parnell, of SigLead Europe Ltd and Geoff Henderson of Digital Native Academy Ltd.

Maurice Cassidy, Technical Director at Barkley Plastics Ltd said:

“I can’t thank the team enough for their help over the last six months, we have been able to test a number of new materials and have worked on two new products collaboratively for clients. Once our new products are launched, we will need to take on at least ten new staff to manage demand.”

Geoff Henderson, Director at Digital Native Academy Ltd said:

“The relationship we have with the WMG SME team is very much about collaboration, not only are we gaining from the advanced 3D modelling, manufacturing and experience led design skills they have, but they are learning from our experience in the culture and heritage sector too.”

The International Institute for Product and Service Innovation which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the University of Warwick will offer support to SMEs through workshops, technology demonstrations, intensive company projects and through funded collaborative research. Other more specialised support includes Laboratory Materials Testing, Microscopy and Characterisation, a User Experience Toolkit for SMEs and Product Innovation Clinics. Ahead of the official opening in September 2012 with a countdown of less than 100 days, SMEs have been benefiting from the funded support programme since January.

Dr Mark Swift, Head of SME Programmes at WMG said:

“We have been delighted to be able to present our facilities and support capabilities to the SME community tonight. We see SMEs as a vital source of innovation and we encourage them to collaborate with us to help grow their businesses. This kind of event also produces opportunities for SMEs to collaborate with each other which is essential to promote innovation and growth in the region.”

For more information visit www.warwick.ac.uk/iipsi or contact the WMG SME team via wmgsme@warwick.ac.uk