100th West Midlands job secured by WMG’s innovation support programme for SMEs
WMG, University of Warwick announced today that they have secured the 100th job in the region since the launch of a dedicated innovation support programme for businesses in WMG’s International Institute for Product and Service Innovation in September 2012. Alongside this, they have created another 45 jobs and helped establish 7 new businesses.
The innovation programme helps West Midlands SMEs solve specific manufacturing, product development and business process challenges that they may have. It also offers a range of interactive workshops; collaborative networking events and specialist internships, helping SMEs embed the skills and processes they need to innovate and to grow their businesses.
The 100th job was secured at Coventry based Region Services Limited (RSL) market leaders in developing and supplying public information systems, such as interactive terminals, broadcast screens and smart ticketing machines. The WMG SME Team collaborated with them to develop a prototype system which involved creating a number of different 3D printed parts using WMG’s leading additive manufacturing capabilities as well as the preparation and assembly of parts. The prototype is now being prepared for production and will lead to new business for RSL.
Peter Cieslak, Head of Product Development & Procurement at RSL said:
“We have had a very positive experience working with the SME Team at WMG. We were able to produce a large complex prototype to evaluate which is now in production, leading to jobs secured and created in our business. We are delighted that this particular project has contributed to 100 jobs now being secured in the West Midlands region. Connecting small businesses in the region with University expertise is an effective mode of boosting the local economy and is an essential ingredient for manufactures to innovate and grow”
WMG’s Dr Mark Swift said:
“Our SME team is proud to have now secured 100 jobs through this European Regional Development Fund programme which helps SMEs explore ways in which innovation and technology can work for their specific business needs. The businesses that work with us gain access to the very latest in product and service design technology and can work with WMG’s academic experts to help embed new capabilities into their businesses, leading to the creation and testing of market-leading products and services.”
For more information about the International Institute for Product and Service Innovation: www.warwick.ac.uk/iipsi
For further for information for media please contact:
Peter Dunn, Head of Communications, University of Warwick,
UK Tel: 024 76 523708 Mobile 07767 655860 email: p.j.dunn@warwick.ac.uk
Or
Lisa Barwick, WMG, University of Warwick Tel: 024 76 524721 or 07824 540845 L.Barwick@warwick.ac.uk
PR100 PJD 22nd May 2014
Further information:
Peter Dunn, Head of Communications, University of Warwick, UK Tel: 024 76 523708 Mobile 07767 655860 email: p.j.dunn@warwick.ac.uk
Or
Lisa Barwick, WMG, University of Warwick Tel: 024 76 524721 or 07824 540845 L.Barwick@warwick.ac.uk
Useful Links:
Download our infographic:
