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| Issue 30 - Winter 2008 |
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Chairman's CornerAt the time of writing, just before the turn of the year, there are several indicators of choppy waters ahead for the UK economy in 2008. However, it's been heartening to find that the Welsh companies to which I have spoken recently have been extremely busy. Perhaps this bears out some pundits' opinions that the perceived downturn is principally affecting the service sector.
As ever, busy manufacturing companies, particularly lean small companies, face a dilemma regarding their technology strategy. Innovation is the lifeblood of business, but a challenge to a heavily loaded management team.While having a good order book implies the financial resource to progress new developments or resolve technical issues, companies often find that they have no time to devote to the future because of a heavy commitment to the present – literally to getting the jobs out of the door. And of course the converse tends to apply in quieter times. So where can hard-pressed companies go when they need to tap into some extra resource to reinforce their own efforts to develop technology and exploit innovation? Here in Wales the answer for some will lie in the CETIC (Centres of Excellence for Technology and Industrial Collaboration) network. Supported by Welsh Assembly Government, Centres of Excellence form a technology transfer network designed to link businesses to world-class science, engineering and technology from universities in Wales. Their mission is to “help businesses unlock cutting-edge technical expertise and specialist resources to drive the innovation process forward”. CETICs can provide companies with expert advice and problem solving, access to specialist facilities and research programmes, and technology transfer through people via graduate placements, as well as training and workshops. In this issue we are featuring relevant activities at Bangor, Swansea and the Wolfson Centre for Magnetics Technology at Cardiff University. These are part of a powerful resource set up to benefit Welsh companies and thus boost Wales GDP and we would encourage businesses to explore what is available and draw upon appropriate CETIC capabilities. Our Materials Network aims to play its own part in supporting the materials-using manufacturing community in Wales to exploit innovation and adopt best practice. Bulletin readers' input is especially welcome in indicating current topics of interest or concern and providing suggestions for future meetings and events. Please continue to use the contact point on page 4 to let us have your views. Best wishes for a successful and prosperous 2008.
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Materials Network Wales 2005 | Last Updated: Jan 25 2008 | info@mnw.org.uk
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