transferknowledgecentre for knowledge transfer annual review two thousand and four london south bank university

KTP programme within the faculties at LSBU hasresulted in greater academic staff involvement withprojects, thus contributing to greater expertise atthe Centre and providing a wider base ofknowledge and skill to company partners.

The articles in this Review provide somebackground information about the University andthe Centre for Knowledge Transfer, and explain themechanics of how the KTP programme works.You’ll also find a list of KTP projects new to theCentre this year, as well as in-depth case studiesthat highlight some of the year’s most successfulKTP projects and emphasize the benefits thatKnowledge Transfer Partnerships provide to bothLondon South Bank University and its partnercompanies. Our business partners continue toexpress great enthusiasm for both the KTP conceptand the advantages that they have gained fromcollaborating with LSBU.

to strengthen innovation in the UK private sector,which in turn encourages wealth creation andcompetitiveness both in national and internationalmarkets. By forming collaborative relationshipsbetween industry and academia, KTP projectsfacilitate commercial access to the resources andexpertise available within the UK’s KnowledgeBase institutions.

The Centre has seen tremendous growth over thepast several years. In 1995, the number ofprojects and KTP Associates employed to managethem were 6 and 7, respectively, during the year.By the end of this 2004 fiscal year, however, thosenumbers had risen to 27 projects ongoing duringthe past 12 months, between them employing 32Associates. Clearly, this upward trenddemonstrates continuing success at the Centre andexemplifies the adroit management of the KTPprogramme at London South Bank University.

2

Welcome to the third Annual Review of theCentre for Knowledge Transfer at London SouthBank University. This has been a very successfulyear for both the Centre and LSBU. TheUniversity has recently been awarded £2.43million by the Higher Education Innovation Fund(HEIF) for its knowledge transfer work withbusiness and community. A key part of the awardwill benefit the Centre directly and will be appliedtowards the advancement of the KnowledgeTransfer Partnerships (KTP) programme at LondonSouth Bank University, as well as towardsresearching and piloting new methods oftransferring knowledge from the University intobusinesses.

This year has seen the Centre for KnowledgeTransfer developing projects within a wideningvariety of industry sectors. Where in the past alarge proportion of LSBU’s Knowledge TransferPartnerships were in the food manufacturing andsoftware industries, this year has broughtsignificant partnership growth in the engineering,design and research & consultancy fields, as wellas continued strength in the food and technologysectors.

The Centre has broadened its reach within theUniversity, as well. A growing awareness of the

centre for knowledgetransferThrough the Centre for Knowledge Transfer,London South Bank University has become theleading KTP Knowledge Base Partner in theGreater London Area and among the top group ofKTP institutions in the UK. Under the KTPprogramme, the Centre has worked with morethan 90 expanding businesses from a variety ofsectors and industries, helping these organisationsto develop comprehensive technology andbusiness solutions, and to propel themselvestowards new levels of success.

The types and the objectives of the organisationsthat the Centre has worked with since its inceptionin 1980 span across almost all sectors of businessand industry and are complemented by the widebreadth of LSBU’s expertise. Over the past fiscalyear, the Centre has worked with businesses fromsuch industries as food manufacturing, softwaredevelopment, business consultancy, science andengineering, consumer goods, and many others. Awide range of business- and technology-drivenobjectives can be supported through a KnowledgeTransfer Partnership with the Centre for KnowledgeTransfer.

The Centre administers LSBU’s entire portfolio ofKTP projects. The KTP programme itself is aGovernment-supported initiative whose purpose is

In terms of the future, the University would like toposition KTP as the cornerstone of its KnowledgeTransfer initiative and preserve the Centre’sreputation for high quality programmes that deliversubstantial benefits to the University and ourbusiness partners.

I hope that you will find the 2004 Annual Reviewof London South Bank University’s Centre forKnowledge Transfer both an interesting andinformative read.

Professor Deian HopkinVice-Chancellor

introduction

transfercentreforknowle

London south bankuniversityLocated in the heart of London, the LSBU of todaycontinues its tradition of over 100 years: to serveas a dynamic hub of teaching, learning andresearch in London’s inner city. With a diversepopulation of some 17 000 students and 1700staff from the UK and around the world, LSBU’smethods of underpinning top quality teaching withindustrial applications and progressive researchcreate an ideal environment for the impetus of aprogramme such as KTP, which facilitatesconnections between academia and industry.

contents

Centre forKnowledgeTransfer 2London south bankuniversity 3knowledge kransferpartnerships 4new projectsstarted duringthe year 5case study oneLa Fornaia 6case study twoService WorksGlobal 8

case study threeTurtle MatCompany 10case study fourAnton Paar 12financialinformation 14organisationinformation 14

“The University would like to position KTP as the cornerstone of its Knowledge Transfer initiative and preserve the Centre’s reputation for quality programmes that deliver substantial benefits to the University and our business partners.” Professor Deian Hopkin Vice-Chancellor

4

knowledge transferpartnershipsThe Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)initiative provides substantial grant funding,expertise and resources to companies seeking toimprove their business performance over themedium term.

One of the aims of the Knowledge TransferPartnerships (KTP) initiative is to strengthencompetitiveness and wealth creation in the UKthrough the encouragement of innovation in theprivate sector. By forming collaborativepartnerships between Knowledge Base institutions– being the universities, colleges, and technologyand research organisations operating within Britain– and expanding businesses from a variety ofindustries, the KTP programme helps thosebusinesses to access the knowledge and skillsavailable within the UK’s Knowledge Base. KTP iswidely regarded as the most successful grantfunding initiative available to Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the UK today.

A KTP project is undertaken in order to achieve aspecific set of goals that are essential to the futuregrowth and development of the company partner.Each KTP project at London South BankUniversity lasts for roughly two to three years andis supervised jointly by academic experts at LSBUand managers at the company partner. During theearly stages of the project, one or more highquality graduates, called KTP Associates, arerecruited from the open job market to work at thepartner company on a particular set of tasks thatare central to the company’s strategic goals.

Another objective of KTP is to provide industry-based training and experience to high calibregraduates intending to pursue careers in business.In order to maximise the personal developmentopportunities for KTP Associates, there exist amodular KTP Associate Development Course,opportunities to register for a higher degree and thepossibility of obtaining a nationally recognisedmanagement qualification. Previous experiencesshow that approximately 70% of Associates areoffered a full-time role by their company oncompletion of their project

typical types of KTPprojects:• Improving existing products• Developing new products• Introducing new technology• Developing the company expertise base• Streamlining a manufacturing process• Implementing new systems and processes• Improving logistics processes

areas of expertise at LSBU• Sustainable energy• Knowledge management• Health & safety• Nutrition, health & lifestyle• Sports science• Software engineering• Product design• Food processing & manufacturing• Electronics• Logistics & distribution• Electrical engineering• Mechanical engineering• IT applications• Business process analysis• Production engineering• Chemical engineering• Fire & explosives technology• Solar technology • Human resources• Public relations• Media & publishing• Scientific instrumentation• Internet applications• Textiles technology & engineering• Materials technology• Training and education• Environmental technology• Forensic science • Architectural design• Telecommunications• Civil engineering

the centre for knowledgetransfer’s goals:• Strengthen the university’s research,consultancy,

teaching and technology base• Enhance the skill and experience of academic

staff in applying technology and expertise tocommercial situations

• Foster greater interaction between the Universityand industry

• Encourage innovation in UK businesses throughthe development of knowledge sharing projects

company Acturisbusiness Provision of software services for the

insurance industry.project To develop and implement a new

software based system for improvingthe transfer of client data onto thecompany system; to develop newsoftware integration tools for theprovision of an interactive system to linkbrokers with major insurers.

company Big Thoughtsbusiness Manufacturer of savoury snack foods

and soft drinks.project The implementation of new processing

and packaging technologies to sustainmarket leadership over the long-term bydeveloping the next generation ofhealthy, fashionable, low-fat snacks andjuice drinks.

company Energy and Power Consultantsbusiness Technical consulting in the energy and

power fields.project Development of the company to

become the principal source ofknowledge and expertise for smallerscale sustainable development projects.

company Foley Cooke Associatesbusiness Retail interior design.project To develop an in-house graphics design

capability for the company, so that itcan effectively win new business fromretail clients who increasingly demandan integrated retail interior design andgraphical imagery capability.

company Wave Technologybusiness Provider of specialist computer mapping

services for the oil exploration industry,and design management services forthe media industry.

project Development of new software tosignificantly improve the ease of useand accessibility of GeographicInformation Systems (GIS) for the oilexploration industry.

company Wright Machinerybusiness The design, development and

manufacture of processing andpackaging machinery for the foodmanufacturing industry.

project To develop and implement design formanufacture processes and to developan integrated output programme linkedto the company’s MRP system.

company Service Works Globalbusiness Development and licensing of software

for facilities, estates and propertymanagement.

project To research, design, and produce twonew software products, the first aProperty Management SchedulingSystem and the second an IT HelpdeskFacility.

company Hughes Electronicsbusiness Design, development and manufacture

of electronics products for the telecomsmarket.

project To design and develop a new range ofstate-of-the-art telecoms devices forbroadband network installations.

company Touchstone Renardbusiness Management consultants.project To develop and implement a knowledge

management strategy and supportingsystems for the company.

company Exonybusiness Computer software systems design.project The novel call-centre optimisation

software system proposed here willenable builders and operators oftelephone call-centre systems tooptimise the performance of thesesystems.

company Sustainable Energy Actionbusiness Promotion and management of the

sustainable use and supply of energy,through practical advice andconsultancy to organisations andbusinesses.

project To develop e\xpertise in Combined Heat& Power (CHP) system and installation.To formulate an expert system for CHPfeasibility studies, which will form thebasis of a new consulting service.

company Vehvacbusiness Supply and installation of vehicle air

conditioning and after-market products.project To strategically develop the company

into a distribution services operation forthe motor industry.

company Delicious Cateringbusiness Food manufacturing and distribution

company specialising in ready mealsusing halal meat products.

project To develop and implement newmarketing strategies and new productdevelopment systems.

new projects started during the year

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companies whose KTP projects finishedthis year cited these reasons for theirincreased profitability from KTP

6 case studylafornaia

For over a decade, La Fornaia has seen successafter success. In the past four years it has won sixprestigious bakery industry awards, includingBakery Food Manufacturer and Bakery Supplier ofthe year. Within a six-year time span, its turnoverhas increased five-fold and it has outgrown in lessthan five years a factory that was custom built forit and opened by HRH the Prince of Wales. Thisleading manufacturer of hand crafted specialtybreads has been involved with two KTP projectsand has employed through them three top qualitygraduates as KTP Associates. With a new KTPproject to re-engineer key business processes nowunderway, La Fornaia’s vision of becoming ‘theleading supplier of premium quality hand craftedspecialty bakery products to the UK,’ looks to bea goal well within reach.

When La Fornaia broke into the specialty breadmarket in 1985, it had no difficulty in finding andlaying claim to its market niche. Just as thepopular demand for fresh, authentic, premiumquality Continental foods began to soar inrestaurants and cafis across London, spilling outonto supermarket shelves, La Fornaia was readywith its unique line of hand made specialitybreads. Over the next several years, the companywould continue its sweeping market successexploring the potential of the specialist breadmanufacturing industry. In the late ‘90s La Fornaiabegan its first Knowledge Transfer Partnershipproject, embarking with London South BankUniversity on a very successful two-Associate

project to perfect its marketing strategy anddevelop its already extensive line of products.

During this time the company saw tremendousgrowth, with annual turnover increasing five-foldbetween 1998 and 2004. Remarks La FornaiaSenior Accounts Manager Carolyn Nicol, “That’swhen we were really growing the business. Prior tothat the biggest account we had was with Marksand Spencer, accounting for about 60% of thebusiness. With the speciality bread marketgrowing, we increased our sales to Sainsbury’sand Safeway so that they caught up with theMarks and Spencer sales, with Waitrose andDuchy Originals accounting for the balance. Weare now progressively expanding business withother multiple retailers.”

Project benefits were also seen at the University.Development of training programmes for usewithin the newly launched Food Technology Centre

lots of planning and scheduling of production tomeet the orders coming from our variouscustomers, all with different collection windows.She’s been very instrumental in introducingstructured process scheduling and planning,”comments Human Resources Manager Terry Millerregarding Ms Eachus’ performance, “Dawn cameacross as someone who could bridge the gapbetween the front office and the factorydownstairs. That is vitally important and Dawn hasmanaged to do that with great success.”

The project’s Academic Supervisor Professor VicLane explains, “The project essentially is to dowith production development; it’s about managingproduction volumes and managing productionquality.” Professor Lane has had decades ofexperience working in both industry andacademia, and has played key roles in several KTPprojects with London South Bank University. In anappraisal of the rewards that this project is

“She’s got a very good personality and manages torelate to the operatives on the factory floor. She isable to say, “Right. What we want is thatinformation and that information,' from the factoryfloor and then she translates it into a format thatwe can move forward with. We were looking forsomeone able to identify and address this gap inour production planning and Dawn has certainlyproved that she can do it.”

Given La Fornaia’s remarkable success -outgrowing in 2002 a factory that had beencustom built in 1997, just before its first KTPproject - it is unsurprising that when askedwhether or not he would recommend KTP to othercompanies, Mr Miller’s reply is, “Definitely and Ialways do. I’ve said it to many people: I woulddefinitely recommend it; it’s been very beneficialfor us.”

at LSBU enabled students and staff to takeadvantage of industry-relevant training andinformation. Advantages towards research havesince been seen in LSBU’s access to the TestBakery facility developed at La Fornaia, facilitatingNPD (New Product Development) and rawmaterials evaluations in undergraduate andpostgraduate projects. NPD projects at theUniversity can now be directly linked to amanufacturing operation, and postgraduate workon novel raw materials can be evaluated in amanufacturing environment.

Upon completion of this very successful KTPproject in 2002, La Fornaia found that it had anew opportunity for development: as a result ofthe company’s rapid expansion, it had outgrownits old business process infrastructure.Unprecedented levels of client demand wereputting new stresses on old systems which might,if left unchecked, begin to hinder productionefficiency. The production process infrastructure atLa Fornaia had been developed for use by acompany of a far smaller size, so in order to stayat optimal performance levels and continue tomeet client demands, it was decided that an auditand overhaul of the business’ key productioncomponents were needed. It was at this point thatLa Fornaia undertook its current KTP project, withAssociate Dawn Eachus.

“She is a Planning and Business Systems Analyst,and we needed someone like that because we do one

case study oneLa Fornaia Specialty ItalianBreadsLondon

providing both the Associate and the company headds, “We’re helping both the company to evolve -to a better level of production and quality ofproduct - and also the Associate, to help them intheir career.”

A key aspect of what attracts the high calibregraduates that the KTP programme is known for isthe Associates’ easy access to managementtraining and higher academic qualification. MusesMs Eachus, “You have the opportunity to developyourself. You have the management trainingmodules, which you can go on and develop yourmanagement skills. But also, I think that the factthat you can have a paid higher degree while stillworking and having support from the universityand the company is good.” In addition to workingfull-time at La Fornaia, Ms Eachus is pursuing aMasters degree at London South Bank University.

When asked what some of the most challengingand rewarding aspects of being involved with KTPare, she replies, “It’s very difficult when you comeinto a small place which has out-grown its currentsystems and you’ve got to try to get across topeople that perhaps the way they’re doing it nowisn’t the best way that it could be done. That’squite a challenge and quite rewarding at the sametime because when things start to pay off, peopleactually understand where you’re coming from andsee the benefits of what you’ve done.”

Remarks Mr Miller on her work at the company,

“We’re helping both the company to evolve – to a better level of production and quality of product – and also the Associate, to help them in their career.” Professor Vic Lane, Academic Supervisor, LSBU

8 case studyserviceworksgl

“Service Works Global is undergoing a phase oftremendous growth both in the UK andinternationally. The KTP scheme has providedadditional skills and resources which haveassisted us in bringing leading edge technology tomarket more quickly. We have been working withtwo KTP Associates for almost two years now,and the scheme has been so successful that weare on the brink of signing up with London SouthBank University for two more Associates. I wouldrecommend the scheme to any organisationwhich is looking to share knowledge with highereducation institutions. The KTP scheme hasallowed us to expedite the launch of our webapplication and to bring customised and complexsolutions to existing clients within stringenttimescales.” - Annie Gales, Operations Director forService Works Global

In the highly competitive and fast-paced market ofsoftware engineering, progress and innovation arekey to prosperity. KTP involvement has contributedto each of these at Service Works Global, givingthe company an edge in the facilities managementsoftware industry that has helped it to consolidateits position among the top five organisations of itskind operating in the UK today.

When it was established in 1994 as a softwarehouse specialising in the development, marketing,implementation and support of a range of facilities,estates and property management software,Service Works Global’s flagship product

Quantitative Facilities Management (QFM) quicklybecame a favourite of major blue chip companiesacross the country, counting such names as LloydsTSB, Kellogg’s, Norwich Union, Siemens, GlaxoSmithKline, British Energy and many othersamongst its clientele. This dynamic application -capable of being used for a variety of purposesranging from asset management to maintenanceplanning and service scheduling - was a verysuccessful product from its inception. In 2001,endeavouring to ensure the continuing flexibilityand optimal functionality of QFM by re-developingthe system using the latest tools, Service WorksGlobal began a two-Associate KTP project withLondon South Bank University.

“We’ve had two KTP Associates, one of whom hasbeen working on our web product,” explains theproject’s Industrial Supervisor Jack Fraser,Technical Director for Service Works Global. Inreference to the role played by KTP Associate

putting the training programme in place and itgives the Associates a structured and relevantgrounding from both a management skills and adevelopment perspective, thus resulting in a morerounded skill set.”

There are many well-known company benefits ofKTP involvement at London South BankUniversity, including useful levels of grant funding,specialist input from academic staff, recruitment ofhighly qualified graduates, access to some of themost current resources and facilities available atthe University, and the increased ingathering ofknowledge and skill into the organisation.However, there are very often additional andunanticipated benefits for companies that chooseto develop a KTP project with London South BankUniversity.

In the case of Service Works Global, one suchbenefit manifests itself through the ties developed

embark on another KTP project with LondonSouth Bank University. “This is another twoAssociate project,” comments Ms Gales “which isa direct reflection of our belief in and commitmentto the KTP scheme.”

Giulio di Gio Battista he continues, “He has spentthe last year and a half developing the QFM Webapplication, enhancing the functionality of theexisting product.”

The role of the project’s other KTP Associate, RobCrowther, was to re-engineer the QFM softwareusing a newer programming standard, thusmaking the product more flexible and functionalwith a wider variety of clients. His contractedtenure as a KTP Associate came to a close at theend of April 2004, but the company has chosento keep him on as a permanent staff member.“He’s actually now our Technology Manager,”remarks Mr Fraser, “and has Giulio working forhim as part of his team. The plan is that when wetake on new KTP people they, too, will work forRob. He understands the system from a KTP pointof view, so there’s good continuity there.”

Annie Gales reflects on the advantages ofemploying KTP Associates, “I think the diversetraining that they’ve had has been really useful tothe company. Not just the technology training, butalso the management training and the moduleshave been beneficial for them; combining suchtraining with experience in the workplace worksvery well. When studying at university, fullyappreciating management training in isolation isquite difficult, especially when only reading thetheory and having limited opportunity to put it intopractice. The KTP scheme provides a solution tothis.” She adds, “The University is very good at two

case study twoService WorksGlobalFacilitiesManagementSoftwareLondon

between the company and University staff. “Quiteoften, for example, the University might havesomebody who’s looking for an MSc projectplacement for four weeks or six weeks. We canoften find a project that’s small enough for them towork on for a fixed duration that will also benefitthem for their dissertations. So,” explains MsGales, “it benefits both us and them. We haveseveral people working here at the moment onshort-term projects from London South BankUniversity. They’re either training or they’restudying at South Bank, and have come here onshort-term placements. It has been very useful forall concerned.”

The University has also benefited through accessto the Associates’ own industrial experiences andskills. In March 2004, Mr Battista and MrCrowther gave seminar presentations to an MScdegree Electronic Commerce class at LSBU. Oneyear previously, Mr Battista had also given apresentation on his work with JAVA and .NETtechnology, again to a class of MSc students inElectronic Commerce. In the future, morepresentations are planned for both of them, to begiven to classes in LSBU’s forthcoming new MScdegree course in Wireless Computing.

The mutual benefits of the Knowledge TransferPartnership between Service Works Global andLondon South Bank University, realised throughthe success of the project involving Mr Battista andMr Crowther, has led Service Works Global to

“The KTP scheme has provided additional skills and resources which have assisted us in bringing leading edge technology to market more quickly.” Annie Gales, Operations Director, Service Works Global

10 case studyturtlematcomp

An expert grasp of both design and marketing iscrucial to any business that manufactures anddistributes a product. This is especially the case ifthat product needs to be both functional andattractive. Turtle Mat Company’s KTP projectbrought it a drastically increased acumen for bothmarketing and design, resulting in a completecompany re-branding and a more cohesiveproduct range.

Since 1992, entrepreneurs Carole and JamesTurtle have been selling their distinctive line ofcotton floor coverings at trade shows, through mailorder and via major retailers such as Robert Dyas,Homebase and Scotts of Stow. The unique sellingpoint of the mats is the excellent ability of cotton toabsorb wet dirt, making Turtle Mats far moreefficient than conventional coir or synthetic fibremats. Although the company had always receivedgreat enthusiasm for its product on the market, itwas felt that the full potential of the Turtle Mat wasnot being met. “We had been developing themarket for cotton mats in the UK verysuccessfully,” explains James Turtle, “but werealised that we needed something more than justfunctionality. We wanted to try to find the best wayof improving our products by introducing betterdesign and colour. That’s where – through ourconnection with London South Bank University –we decided to do one of the KTP projects.”

He elaborates, “The goals of our project were tointroduce new products and new marketing

thinking into the business of Turtle Mat Company.”This was to be accomplished through thedevelopment of a comprehensive market researchstrategy, which would then be used to assess thepresent state of the floor coverings industry withinthe UK and abroad. The subsequent researchresults would be applied to re-branding thecompany and redefining its image and product lineaccording to current trends.

As Carole Turtle explains the plan, “We decided tore-launch our whole existing range: to streamline itand make it look better, and to produce newpromotional literature to go with it. Susan wasresponsible for a lot of that; she redesigned all ofthe point of sale material, the advertising anddeveloped a completely new online presence forus.”

The project’s KTP Associate Susan Leaver came tothe business with an already extensive background

“Susan also used the computer learningopportunities offered and did a couple of computercourses at South Bank.”

In addition to determining the direction for theredevelopment of Turtle Mat Company’s label andline, Ms Leaver’s research also found that onlineretailing would be a valuable sales technique forthe company to begin cultivating. An e-commercewebsite was commissioned and implemented byher, which has since resulted in increased salesand the online promotion of the entire range ofnew Turtle Mat products.

Since the start of its KTP project, there have beenother technological advances within the company.The transfer of knowledge between Turtle MatCompany and experts at LSBU’s Colour DesignCentre has enabled the business to utilise new jetspray dyeing techniques in developing a range ofmat designs printed on tufted cotton, a

provided course material for a wide range ofapplications in the MSc Design, BA Marketing/Business and BSc Engineering Product Designprogrammes offered at LSBU. In addition, theUniversity’s Colour Design Centre has been able toapply the knowledge it has gained from the projecttowards its research into colour and design in thetextile market, the effects of colour and design onconsumers in an exhibition-style setting and alsogained a valuable inside perspective of the matsand furnishings industry.

The KTP project between London South BankUniversity and Turtle Mat Company wascompleted in January 2004, but Susan will bestaying with the company in a senior position asits Commercial Manager. Carole Turtle reflects onwhether she would recommend KnowledgeTransfer Partnerships to other companies, “Yes, Iwould, definitely. It’s been an extremely positiveexperience for us.”

in commercial product design. Comments JamesTurtle, “I don’t think that we would have attractedsomeone of her calibre without the financial andacademic support of the university, because it gaveher the structure and the background that a smallcompany might not have had.”

One of Ms Leaver’s first tasks at Turtle MatCompany was to develop and implement a newresearch strategy which she then used to assessthe state of the floor coverings industry, the marketand the company’s performance. After this, sheapplied her research findings to the next phase ofthe KTP project: the re-branding of Turtle MatCompany and the re-creation of its image andproduct line.

Working closely with field experts at London SouthBank University’s Colour Design Centre, Susandeveloped targeted marketing materials for thecompany’s new identity and, in September 2003,the new range of Turtle Mat products waslaunched. Remarks Carole Turtle, “One of thegreatest advantages was a fresh mind beingbrought in. The links with the university were alsovery useful because it made us think much moretechnically in terms of colour, how colour is usedand what we were trying to do with colour anddesign.”

“We used the colour research quite a bit.” Sheadds, on the advantages of having access toLSBU’s resources throughout the KTP project. three

case study threeTurtle MatCompany Manufacture andDistribution ofCotton FloorCoveringsKingston-upon-Thames, Surrey

breakthrough which will result in faster turnaroundon batch orders. Furthermore, development of thecompany’s mail order business saw Ms Leaverengineering the introduction of a new productcoding plan that is compatible across the business’brochure, mail-order and website systems. Thenew coding system has produced increasedefficiency in stock control, provided onlinecustomers with a more user-friendly purchasinginterface, and has facilitated the internal collationof sales figures and customer data.

“One of the key things that KTP has brought isproject management, the ability to set aside acertain amount of time to start and finishsomething, which I think as a small businessbefore we lacked,” remarks Carole Turtle, “Wetended to be doing several projects at once, notnecessarily concentrating on picking out the keyones. I think it’s helped us to focus. We’verestructured the company since Susan has beenhere, not necessarily just as a result of her work,but she has actually become very central to thecompany and the company is much moremarketing orientated than it was.”

James Turtle adds, “A lot of the things that Susanhas done and has developed we’re now gettinginto the marketplace with great success.”

The project has also been a great success for theUniversity. The work and research carried out bySusan on behalf of Turtle Mat Company has

“One of the greatest advantages was a fresh mind being brought in.” Carole Turtle, Partner, Turtle Mat Company

12 case studyantonpaar

Just over one year into its KTP project, AntonPaar is already making strong headway with itsKnowledge Transfer Partnership at London SouthBank University. The two-Associate project willbring to light new applications for some of thecompany’s most recently developed scientificinstrumentation products, as well as introducenew marketing strategies grounded in productexperimentation and scientific research.

“One of our product ranges deals with viscosityand rheology measurement; the two properties arefairly closely linked. It’s a range that we wanted toexpand into alongside our traditional densitymarket, which is now fairly mature,” explainsManaging Director Paul Jiggens, “We’re lookinginto the areas of viscosity and rheology. We’ve gotan excellent expanding range in that instrumentfield, so we’re now looking at all of the differentaspects of extending that range.”

Traditionally, the primary business of Anton Paarhas been the supply of density and concentrationmeasurement equipment for use in research andquality control labs. However, in order to maintainbusiness growth, the company decided that itshould start branching out into otherinstrumentation areas. This decision resulted inthe development of a new product range ofviscometry and rheometry measurement sensors,introducing two new products to the company: theAMVn Automated Microviscometer and theModular Compact Rheometer (MCR).

“We’re looking into a new area where we don’tnecessarily have as much expertise as in ourtraditional markets” remarks Paul Jiggens,“Through our KTP project, we’ve had the chanceto get input from a different angle and that’s givenus more information. In one sense, it’s a questionof broadening the outlook we have.”

Upon development completion of the newviscometry and rheometry measurement sensors,the company wanted to make certain that allpotential instrument uses were explored. This led itto embark upon its KTP project with London SouthBank University. The project has two mainobjectives and will subsequently involvecontributions from two KTP Associates. The firstobjective is to identify new technical applicationsfor the recently developed sensors. The project’sfirst KTP Associate, Dr Ying Yang Hou, isundertaking this work.

“In terms of the central project objective, we areahead of target. The company is satisfied with theprogress being made. Dr Hou, in addition toworking on the project, assists the company withworkshops and training for prospective customers.So in a way, she is marketing the productindirectly.”

“From the academic perspective, the plan was tomake some scientific publications in journals. DrHou has compiled a detailed review that shefinished towards the end of last year and we arenow in the process of getting this published. Weare actually in contact with editors and the work isbeing reviewed, so it’s ongoing.”

In December 2003, Dr Hou made a technicalpresentation to the British Society of Rheologybased upon her work at Anton Paar. Thepresentation, entitled “Current Trends in InstrumentTechniques for Rheometry,” served not only as a

involvement with the project has caused me tobecome involved with the British Society ofRheology. I’ve also made contact with colleaguesin other universities and in industry. Furthermore,the project has widened my understanding of themeasurement techniques applicable to theinstrument we are testing; the outcome of theresearch project carried out by our undergraduatestudent has actually enlightened me and one ofthe things I’m hoping to do is to turn the researchproject report from our undergraduate student intoa scientific publication. So, again, that’s workedout well. That would be yet another benefit.”

With the project now well underway and about tomove into the next phase, its future and paybacklook extremely promising. Paul Jiggens reflectsfrom a commercial point of view, “I think KTP hasbrought a resource; that’s the main thing. It’sallowed us to have a focussed resource which wecan then use as part of our overall sales strategy.”

“The project is focussed on instrumentation forrheometry and viscometry,” explains AcademicSupervisor Dr Hamida Kassim, “The first objectiveis to carry out some research on a novel techniquefor measurement, and in this regard we haveemployed Dr Hou to carry out the experimentalstudy. The work she is doing at the momentinvolves testing existing equipment, and alsotesting and extending the novel measurementtechnique to what I will call unknown territory. Thetechnique has been satisfactorily tested in knownterritory and we are now extending it to otherbehaviour which has not been tested with thesame equipment before.”

The second project objective is the developmentand implementation of new product marketingstrategies to promote the instruments that Dr Houis testing. A second Associate translating Dr Hou’sresearch and experimental findings into acommercial mien will develop this new marketingapproach. The swift progress of Dr Hou’s work hasmade it possible to begin the recruitment processfor this second Associate, who will likely bestarting in early Autumn 2004.

“The project is going very well,” comments DrKassim, “We have to look at progress in twocategories. The Associate is expected to makecontributions to the central project - which is theinterest of the industrial partner - but there is alsotheir academic development to consider. four

case study fourAnton Paar ScientificInstrumentationHertford,Hertfordshire

valuable professional discussion of principle andmethod in rheometry, but also had the effect ofpromoting amongst experts in the field the fact thatAnton Paar is a leading-edge company in thedevelopment of rheometric equipment.

“KTP has an advantage over and above a normalresearch project,” remarks Dr Kassim, “Thetraditional method has been to get a grant from theEngineering and Physical Sciences ResearchCouncil to support a project. Sometimes at the endof those projects the results remained on the shelfbecause we didn’t have a bridge linking intoindustry. KTP has an advantage in that there isalready an industrial interest in the work; there isan industrial counterpart to the project.Consequently, the results of the project areimmediately being transformed into the industrialenvironment - into products and improved salesfor the company - which is the case with myproject. So it is a great advantage from thatperspective. It is also an advantage in the sensethat we’ve established a link with industry straightaway, so we are not carrying out our research inisolation; we are working in partnership withindustry.”

In addition to the research opportunities presentedby this project, there has already been oneundergraduate thesis at LSBU based upon thework at Anton Paar, as well as extensive personaland professional benefits for Dr Kassim. “I canlook at my gain from different perspectives. My

“Through our KTP project, we’ve had the chance to get input from a different angle and that’s given us more information. In one sense, it’s a question of broadening the outlook we have.” Paul Jiggens, Managing Director, Anton Paar

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financial information

At LSBU, the main funding bodies of theKnowledge Transfer Partnerships initiative havebeen the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI),the Department for the Environment, Food andRural Affairs (DEFRA), and the Economic andSocial Research Council (ESRC). Combined, theseorganisations have committed over £1.98 millionin grant funding towards this year’s active KTPprojects at the Centre for Knowledge Transfer;investments from our company partners havetotalled roughly £3.20 million.

In total, the Centre is currently managing funds forthis year’s contracted projects in excess of £5.18million. These significant financial investmentsfrom both private sector and government sourcesestablish London South Bank University as one ofthe leading KTP Knowledge Base Partnerinstitutions in the UK.

industry sector investmentIndustry Sector Company Investments (£’000)

DESIGN & PRODUCTION 152RESEARCH & CONSULTANCY 493TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING 589SOFTWARE & COMPUTING 895FOOD MANUFACTURE 1,071

TOTAL £3,200

funding body investmentFunding Body Grant Investment (£’000)

DTI & ESRC 50DEFRA 111DTI & DEFRA 289DTI 1,535

TOTAL £1,984

companies this year

ActurisAnton PaarEnergy & Power ConsultantsExonyFinsoftTouchstone RenardBig ThoughtsBritish BakelsDelicious CateringGazebo Fine FoodsHarry MasonLa FornaiaPie Man Food CompanySimmonsOverseas Development InstituteSustainable Energy ActionService Works GlobalWaveFoley CookeHeritage SilverTurtle Mat CompanyHughes ElectronicsLocke CareyVehvacWire BeltWright Machinery

project delivery

Ali AbdallahRuth AmigoMikko ArevuoMark AthertonEbad BanissiSteve BarassGiulio di Gio BattistaAlan BentCesar BernalMatthew BestGoran BezanovJeff BurkeMartin ChaplinRob CrowtherHilary DalkeTony DayChris DowlenDawn EachusEzzat El-BarbaryNicholas FranciosiJonathan GammanStefan GanSally GreenSuzanne HinchliffeLouis HinojosaYing Yang HouWesley JenkinsClare JohnsMatthew JonesHamida KassimVic LaneSusan LeaverEmmanuelle LergesAllen LongGraeme MaidmentMandy MaidmentDominic ManRan MendelewiczAndrew MottKit NguyenPhil NolanOlga PechinkinaCuong PhanBen RamalingamAndrew ReeveJon SeligKwok Chung TangElvis VazDominic WayBenjamin WhitakerXiao Yi YaoAnna ZacharewiczZoren Zmajkovicz

production credits

This Annual Review was produced and publishedby London South Bank University’s Centre forKnowledge Transfer.

WriterGenevieve Sovereign

Design, Layout and Production wave 020 7935 3741

ImagesAnton PaarLa FornaiaLondon South Bank UniversityService Works GlobalTurtle Mat CompanyWave

©2004 Centre for Knowledge TransferLondon South Bank UniversityThis report covers the year 1 August 2003to 31 July 2004

the centre for knowledgetransferNathan BurgessHead of Centre

Barbara EllisDeputy Manager

Genevieve SovereignMarketing & IT

Shirley NicholsonAdministration

Mike FreelandFinance

Centre for Knowledge TransferSouth Bank Technopark90 London RoadLondon SE1 6LN

Telephone 020 7815 6922Facsimile 020 7815 6915Email ktpinfo@lsbu.ac.ukWebsite www.lsbu.ac.uk/ktp/Website www.ktponline.org.uk

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funding body investment london south bankuniversity venues

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0420telephone 020 7815 6922 facsimile 020 7815 6915 email ktpinfo@lsbu.ac.uk website www.lsbu.ac.uk/ktp/centre for knowledge transfer south bank technopark 90 london road london SE1 6LN