We are going through challenging business times at present which might distract many industrialists from developing technical and economic best practice in processing or use of materials. There is a tendency in a difficult economic climate for some organisations to cut back on development as a matter of course. Many successful organisations rise to the challenge to focus research and development on medium term objectives to help grow out of such situations. This actually concentrates what might be limited resources to strengthen their businesses ready for future opportunities. If you are in such an organisation perhaps now is the time to examine your materials processing or utilisation. It is difficult for many small organisations to keep up to date with new or improved materials and to ensure that they exploit them in the best way. A part of the function of the Materials Technology Forum in Wales is to help you directly in these activities or guide you to where help can be obtained.

In this issue we highlight opportunities which are presented by the European Union Framework 5 Initiative and more local help which the materials sector, particularly SME's, can benefit from. The Forum is planning seminars on recycling and environmental aspects of materials, materials processing and also specific wood and steel focused meetings. These will be announced in due course but if you have any specific materials related enquiries please do not hesitate to contact us by phone, e-mail or by opening our page on the website www.mtfw.org.uk. Contact points are given as usual in this Bulletin.

TONY MOSES
School of Engineering
Cardiff University

If you have not heard of the EFQM yet and you are keen to improve your business activity and quality then be sure to read on! The European Foundation for Quality Management has grown rapidly from 14 leading European business participants when founded in 1988 to over 700 at present with thousands of non-members using the EFQM Model for Business Excellence.

One objective of the EFQM is to provide a platform for European companies to learn from established companies and to promote a TQM culture. The model is a framework for continuous improvement on a broad front and includes bench marking and diagnostic tools aimed at integrating all business activity and quality improvement.

Self assessment against the Business Excellence model allows an organisation to identify its strengths and areas for improvement, helps focusing and prioritising efforts and a way of monitoring progress.

If you want to find out more contact the MTFW.

Tales from the Wood Group

In November and December 1998, Working with Wood went on the road, visiting the Forestry Contracting Association(FCA). Sue Wolfe, WDA, and Hywel Evans, Elan, both Materials Technology Forum Steering Group members, made an informal presentation at the November meeting of the Mid Wales section of the FCA in Machynlleth. Sue made a similar presentation at the meeting of the North Wales section in Cerrig y Drudion in December, supported by her colleagues Huw Pritchard (WDA), Alan Jones (Celtec) and Ceri Loxtan (Biocomposites Centre, University of Wales Bangor). Both meetings discussed the activities of the Materials technology Forum, together with a review of grants and support available in Wales to businesses working with timber. About 40 people attended the meetings, and there were lively discussions at both, particularly regarding the new TIMBER programme (supported by the European Social Fund) which provides free business, technical support and customised training for businesses working with wood.

The programme got off to a flying start at the end of 1998, with around 8 businesses taking part and Ceri Loxton providing technical advice and expertise. Another 15 businesses have already joined the programme this year - these include a range of activities from sawmilling and processing to furniture manufacture.

The first workshop of the programme is planned for early April. This will be 2 days residential at Bangor and will include timber drying and preservation techniques, topics already identified of interest to participating businesses. Also included will be visits to or from other local timber businesses. For veterans of the Working with Wood seminars in Machynlleth, the next meeting is scheduled for April - further details will be sent to all previous attendees closer to the time.

Anyone interested in the TIMBER programme, the Working with Wood seminars or general queries about timber businesses should contact Sue Wolfe at the WDA, Aberystwyth Office, on 01970 613212, E-mail - sue.wolfe@wda.co.uk

The North Wales Festival of Wood to be held at Bodelwyddan Castle, May 22nd-23rd, 1999 is an expansion of the previous Llysfasi College Woodland Day and the Coed Cymru initiative known as the ‘Woodfest’.

There is an opportunity to see some of the finest products being produced from Welsh hardwoods. Everything from flooring and fine furniture to sculpture and giftware. Demonstrations of woodland harvesting and extraction techniques, charcoal production, mobile saws, turnery, bodging, wood carving. Grant information, training and advice, and lots more.