CHAIRMAN'S CORNER

The year 2001 is proving to be a major milestone for the Materials Technology Forum in its drive to bring state of the art technology, ideas and developments to the SME sector in Wales. In March a highly successful seminar on the potential of titanium alloys was hosted at the Waterton Centre in Bridgend. The event brought together Professor Malcolm Ward-Close and Paul Adams for DERA with Dr Roger Thomas from Timet (UK) at Waunarlwydd for a frank discussion on the benefits and limitations of the material. Titanium clearly has much to offer Welsh industry if production costs could be reduced. Significantly, recent innovative research has demonstrated that major cost reductions should be possible within the foreseeable future. A detailed report on the seminar is included in this bulletin. Looking ahead, our theme of promoting specific materials continues in July with a broadly based seminar on 'Composites for Middle Industry'. The event will be held at the IRC, University of Wales, Swansea on 12th July. It will give SMEs an opportunity to hear Kevin Elcock describe his experience in developing the highly acclaimed Stax modular boat, which won the WDA's 'Design and Product Engineering' Technology Prize last year. Dr John Dominy from Carbon Concepts will also share with us his expertise in running a successful SME focusing on composite materials for sport, leisure and medical applications. Recent developments will then be highlighted by Brett Suddell from the University who will provide an update on his survey into 'Composites for Middle Industry Around the World'. A registration form is enclosed.

Later on in September, the Forum will be organising a prestigious event in which Brian O'Rourke from Williams Formula 1 will describe his experiences of using a range of materials in Formula 1 racing cars. The event will present SME parties from the automobile sector with an opportunity to promote their technology and products. Also speaking at the event will be Martin Rees from the Bluebird Project and Steve Bomford from Plasma and Thermal Coating Ltd.

Looking much further ahead the Materials Technology Forum will once again be sponsoring the WDA Technology Prize for 'Innovative Use of Materials' in December - if you have an innovative concept apply now as the rewards for success are not inconsiderable. The Forum is also working with the IRC at Swansea on a major conference to be held in April next year. The 'Compass' conference will focus on all aspects of materials from casting through working, processing and joining to inservice performance. While international representation is anticipated, the intention is to attract local SMEs who will be able to voice their views and canvass opinions in a targeted workshop session.

Finally and sadly, I have to report that our treasurer, Phil Watkins, has decided not to stand for re-election this year. Phil has been a significant member of the Forum over the last few years and his contribution will be greatly missed in the future. I would, therefore, like to record our sincere thanks to him, but understand that his commitments for the Prince's Trust Cymru make his continued membership of our committee extremely difficult. We wish him well in his future activities.

Celebration of Innovation 2001

This year's Celebration of Innovation 2001 (previously known as the DTI Innovation Lecture) will be held on Tuesday 26th June starting at 4.30pm.

This year's event takes the form of a presentation by Jackie Stewart OBE, which will be broadcast live by satellite from 'The Odyssey Centre' in Belfast to a number of venues throughout the UK. Jackie Stewart OBE, three times Formula 1 World Champion and Chairman and CEO of Jaguar Cars Ltd, leads an interactive national debate on what innovative manufacturing means in the knowledge-based economy.

The WDA is working with Cardiff University Innovation Network and other partners throughout Wales to organise a number of local events.The Cardiff Event will be held at the University Hall Conference Centre, Cardiff. West Wales will be held again at the WDA offices in Penllergaer, Mid Wales area, the Maesmawr Hotel, Caerwsw and in North Wales, the Lecture Theatre, University of Wales, Bangor.

The Cardiff Event will include presentations from Sir Brian Smith, Vice Chancellor, Cardiff University; Jim Cameron, DTI Innovation Unit; Tim Williams, Automotive Forum with concluding remarks from Alan Morgan OBE, Executive Director, Business Support, WDA.

For further information on any of these events please contact Maria Buckley, Business Support, WDA on Tel: (029) 2082 8848 or E-mail: maria.buckley@wda.co.uk