New research has revealed that businesses in the South West are not making the most of the research facilities and expertise available at the region’s universities. The poll by Beacon South West has discovered that whilst two thirds (62 per cent) of companies engage with higher education in some way, their involvement is mainly limited to student work placements and graduate recruitment.

To date, only 18 per cent of firms questioned have commissioned research through higher education and a mere 12 per cent have developed products in partnership with academia. Moreover, when asked how universities could help business more, nearly half (49 per cent) did not know, highlighting the underlying lack of awareness of higher education’s business offering amongst the region’s companies.

More positively, the research found that the manufacturing sector is more likely than any other industry to take advantage of local institutions, with many organising student work placements, graduate projects or research projects with universities. This could be due, in part, to the success of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP), a pan-European programme to encourage business and knowledge-base collaborations. As part of a KTP, a recently qualified graduate uses their expertise to work on a project, which is core to the strategic development of the business, thus providing business with access to the knowledge, technology and skills that reside within academic institutions.

Sue Baker, project director at Beacon South West, an initiative which brings together the region’s most successful companies to encourage business excellence, explained: “If firms in the South West are to keep ahead of the competition, one definite way forward is to tap into the knowledge and expertise that our universities offer.

“The South West boasts some of the country’s leading higher education institutions and there is great potential for a dynamic interface between academia and industry, providing businesses with access to cutting-edge technology and thinking and academia with the context in which to succeed. There are many Beacon companies that are already working in collaboration with academia and they testify to the benefits of establishing these partnerships.”

Bandvulc and Plymouth University

Bandvulc, a Devon-based manufacturer of truck tyre remoulds and Beacon company since 2005, has built a strong relationship with higher education over the last few years.  Richard O’Connell, co-founder of Bandvulc, explained: “Bandvulc has worked closely with Plymouth University on two occasions so far. Both involved Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) and were related to specific issues that needed to be addressed. The most recent, which involved a post-graduate Environment Engineer coming into the business to help address our energy usage, has proved particularly beneficial.

“Not only have we been able to reduce the amount of energy consumed as well as waste produced at our factory in Ivybridge, but it has also resulted in the company securing ISO 14001 accreditation. We have subsequently employed the post-graduate on a full-time basis and it has definitely been money well-spent.”

Renishaw - based in Gloucestershire

Renishaw, based in Wotton-under-Edge, is another Beacon company that has reaped the benefits of working with academia. Chris Pockett, group marketing services manager at Renishaw, said: “Renishaw has a history of working with universities from across the UK. To date, we have found this to be a two-way process. Not only is it an opportunity for a company like Renishaw to put something back into the community, but it is also a chance to benefit from a fresh perspectives on things.

“Having an undergraduate or post-graduate come into the business on a placement can help generate ideas that wouldn’t have been there before. This is often because they are free of the restraints under which other people in the business may operate. Renishaw has found this to be a very enlightening process and one I would certainly recommend to other companies.”

Space Engineering and UWE

Bristol-based Beacon company, Space Engineering Services, which provides refrigeration and air-conditioning services, recently identified the need to develop its business processes and IT systems further in order to support continued business growth. Space Engineering contacted the University of the West of England (UWE) for assistance and has agreed to recruit two business studies or IT graduates to help the company make business processes “leaner” followed by the selection and implementation of new IT systems.

One graduate is being sought for a 30 month project under the Knowledge Transfer Partnership programme. Another role, suitable for a recent graduate, is on offer for 20 weeks under UWE’s Graduate Consultancy Scheme. In both cases, experienced UWE academics will provide mentoring and expert supervision.