KTP BENEFITS

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) are designed to benefit everyone involved: Business will acquire new knowledge and expertise. KTP associate will gain businessbased experience and personal and professional development opportunities. university, college or research organisation will enhance the business relevance of its research and teaching.

Morgan Motor CoMPanY Ltd

KTP is a driver for success

www.ktponline.org.uk

ABOUT THIS CASE STUDY

Worcester-based Morgan Motor Company Ltd recognised that the company needed to accelerate the product development cycle. In order to implement these changes the company turned to Birmingham City Universitys Technology, Innovation and Development (TID) faculty for a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Project.

ABOUT THE SPONSOR

The Technology Strategy Board, now sponsored and funded by the Department for Innovation, Universities & Skills, formerly by the Department of Trade and Industry, drives the ambition of prosperity for all by working to create the best environment for business success in the UK. The Technology Strategy Board helps people and companies become more productive by promoting enterprise, innovation and creativity.

PROJECT OUTCOMES
Associate employed as Homologation Engineer at company after completion of project. Company achieved 58% increase in profits from new markets. KTP led to 33% increase in improved operations for the company. Project awarded highest possible grade from KTP Project.

THE COMPANY

Morgan Motor Company Ltd is a family-run business, which has been in operation since 1910. The company specialises in the design, manufacture and distribution of traditionally crafted exclusive sports cars into the high-value performance market sectors.

ABOUT THIS PROJECT

In 2000 the company launched the Aero 8. Series I and Series II were later launched in 2004. These launches marked a departure from the companys traditional sports car design and arose from the need to enter new markets. The complexities of the Aero 8 demanded a significant increase in the companys design and analysis capabilities which would develop this and future new vehicles. The KTP project set about addressing these issues, primarily by implementing a sophisticated design process.

To introduce the latest technologies to our rich heritage of skilled craftsmanship we need highly competent partnerships. Birmingham City University has proved an excellent supporter, collaborator and source of expertise. We value their contribution most highly.
Charles Morgan, Corporate Strategy Director, Morgan Motor Company Ltd

BENEFITS
The successful Morgan KTP projects focused on the Aero 8 models entry into the demanding North American market. The project/partnerships embraced detailed design and component analysis as well as whole vehicle testing. To achieve the production target, with demanding price and profitability objectives, the KTP Associate, Matthew Welch, helped Morgans team compress development lead-times and costs. Compliance with technical and legislative requirements was also achieved. In particular the KTP project developed computer models, which pinpointed key noise and vibration sources, enabling solutions to be found. Although multiple major and minor component developments were successfully completed, wider benefits were accrued through the skills and techniques introduced to and embedded in the company. They related not only to vehicle development, but also to production processes and have led to a second KTP, which is aiming to further amplify these manufacturing benefits. A complementary third

KTP project is addressing the need to develop an in-house capability for concept design, visualisation and refinement and is contributing to the rapid development of new vehicles with high customer appeal.

RESULTS
The company gained: An opportunity to extend its design/development department in both capability and resource as a result of the KTP. Skills now includes CATIA v5 CAD and analysis; staff have received training to ensure proficiency in new design tools. An ability to prepare and manage vehicle testing. Access to a Coordinate Measurement Machine (CMM) proved to be valuable, specifically in providing the company with justification to invest in a CMM. Implications of new designs on manufacture have been addressed, essential for the company to meet.

THE ASSOCIATE
The Associate employed in this KTP project was Matthew Welch, a graduate in automotive engineering. KTP projects are a great way for graduates to gain valuable experience in industry and it has helped me to get a foot in the door at Morgan Motor Company Ltd. It has been great to see the achievements of the KTP project really making a difference and its really rewarding to see customers purchasing and enjoying the sports cars the project has helped to produce.
Matthew Welch, KTP Associate

ABOUT BIRMINgHAM CITY UNIvERSITY

The Technology, Innovation and Development faculty (TID) at Millennium Point, in Birmingham is a faculty of Birmingham City University and a national centre of excellence for learning, innovation and technology transfer. The Lead Academic employed to provide academic knowledge transfer in this KTP was Dr Mike Daniels. The partnership between Birmingham City University and Morgan Motor Company Ltd has been especially rewarding and enjoyable. Morgan has embraced the opportunities offered via the KTP projects, including access to highly motivated graduates and university support. We plan to do further collaborations over the next few years.
Dr Mike Daniels, Lead Academic

BENEFITS
Ostensibly, Matthews main role was to act as a design engineer, bringing new ideas and ways of thinking to reality using skills and tools new to Morgan Motors. This role demanded strong people management and communication skills; as such over the period of the KTP Matthew has benefited from personal development as well as improving his technical capabilities.

BENEFITS
This successful KTP has elevated the teaching and learning experiences of the staff and students involved in supporting the project. Teaching material has been made more relevant and up to date, and staff have been able to draw upon the experiences gained during the project to enhance their teaching. Students have benefited from working on case studies and projects resulting from the KTP which are industrially relevant. Students have also gained valuable experience in preparation for entering industry once graduated.

RESULTS
Through the KTP project: Associate accepted full-time position of employment on completion of the project. Associate benefited from several training modules available through KTP such as Development and Project Management, Improving Personal Skills and Teamwork, Business Management and Design.

RESULTS
Opportunity for staff to develop skills in simulation and numerical modelling. Academic insight into the challenges facing an SME which is striving to increase its market share. Two technical publications ensuing from KTP. Two MSc projects, an MSc case study, four undergraduate projects and two group assignments as a result of KTP work.

CONTACT US
Birmingham city university Perry Barr Birmingham B42 2su Telephone: 0121 331 5677 email: cdc@bcu.ac.uk www.bcu.ac.uk/business