CASE STUDIES
Innovation Portal adds value to new engineering product
The Small Grants Scheme in practice – Castle Group Case Study
Castle Group Scotland Ltd is a Perthshire company focused on the structural repair and maintenance sectors of the construction industry.
The Innovation Portal first approached Castle Group Scotland Ltd in October 2007 at their first industry themed workshop “Innovation in Construction.” The company had a specific project in mind that they were keen to take forward, and whilst they have a wealth of experience in their field, they did not have all the required expertise available in-house. The project itself involves the design and development of a new bridge expansion joint for use on road bridges. There is a considerable market for these products and the brief was essentially to create a cost effective alternative and with improved properties to those currently available.
Following on from this workshop Jamie Henderson, Innovation Portal Manager, worked closely with the Managing Director, Alistair Ogilvy to identify the most appropriate academics that could assist with the project.
Following an initial meeting with Dr Ahmed ElSheikh and Dr Tom Dyer from the Division of Civil Engineering at the University of Dundee it was agreed that the company and academics would apply for a TFS grant using the Portal’s Small Grants Scheme. The project was awarded the maximum £5,000 TFS grant with the company providing a £5,000 in-kind contribution.
The results from the TFS were favourable and after careful consideration by the company and University, a decision was reached to apply for a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project to develop, test and implement a novel bridge expansion joint for use in road bridges.
The project was submitted and approved and the Partners are looking to recruit a suitably qualified KTP Associate in 2010.
Alistair Ogilvy says “The Innovation Portal was instrumental in helping us to establish a successful partnership with the Division of Civil Engineering at the University of Dundee.”
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