CPI supporting innovation in the UK’s metals industry

15 Jan 2016

The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) is running an innovation support programme aimed specifically at small and medium-sized businesses operating across the UK’s supply chain for metals processing.

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This programme is in line with the recently published Vision 2030, The UK Metals Industry’s New Strategic Approach’, and will enable companies to respond to the changing business environment caused by the recent downturn in the Steel sector.

The £400,000 programme, which is being funded by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills through Innovate UK will focus on; the identification of investment opportunities and dissemination of innovation best practice, the development of new business plans for small and medium sized businesses in the sector, and the enabling of knowledge sharing and the formation of new business partnerships through the creation of collaborative communities of practice.

The metals and materials manufacturing industries in the UK are evolving with lower levels of primary production, causing a major rethink of the UK based supply chain. This could trigger opportunities for the adoption and implementation of the next generation of processes and manufacturing technologies, if related best practices are transferred from other industries, such as the process and chemical sector.

CPI’s business support tool, The Innovation Integrator®, will be used to analyse the specific needs of an individual business, identifying opportunities and recommendations for future success in a time when many of these businesses face a fragile trading environment. CPI’s experience shows that this systematic approach allows partners to implement value creating plans quicker and with less risk.

CPI will leverage the existing relationships with the Materials Processing Institute (MPI) and other Centres in the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, which will supply much of the on the ground delivery resource. Importantly, this programme aims to improve innovation processes and give participating companies the opportunity to develop new projects that will prepare them for the future.

CPI is your innovation partner to make your ideas a reality.