Working with the UMIST Centre for Manufacture
December 10th, 2002
Presentation to Conference on Opportunities and Support for SMEs, Bolton
S F Bush
Objective
To promote UMIST as the UK University centre for the integration of the science and practice of manufacture:
- Lively Department focussed on the application of science and economics to the manufacturing industry.
- Around 15 full-time staff plus temporary undergraduate and post graduate researchers.
- Based in the UMIST Main Building in a modern purpose build office suite.
- Work with an emphasis on application of theory.
Competitivity & Productivity Projects
- The Centre for Manufacture (CfM) has been working with SMEs in the North West to assist them with the design of business improvements.
- Funded by the ERDF.
- Work includes:
- Product design
- Product improvement
- Process improvement
- Project Engineer often placed within a company for 8 weeks to analyse working practices.
- 62 projects performed since 1999.
- 15 detailed company improvements.