sustainable construction inet - the next bright idea issue 2
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The Next Bright Idea magazine, issue 2, from the Sustainable Construction iNet. Building the future through innovation.TRANSCRIPT
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BrightIDEATHEB U I L D I N G T H E F U T U R E T H R O U G H I N N O V A T I O N
Case Studiesan insight into some of the projects the iNet has supported
Making the Network WorkEvents exceed expectations
iNet is asuccess!Facts and statistics
VOLUME 1 ISSUE 2 SPRING 2013
Without the iNet’s advice, expertise and funding, this project would never have taken off. We’re hoping to add even more
new staff as a result.
Paul Barton, director, SRM Industries Ltd
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The Next Bright Idea
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This experience has not only been truly unique, but certainly one of the most rewarding periods of my whole career - to be constantly surprised and intrigued at the ideas, innovation and determination of some of the businesses we have managed to support has been fantastic. The future for innovation in the East Midlands is certainly bright!
iNetJohn Liddle Managert: 07595 092022 · e: [email protected]
Welcome to this edition of the Sustainable Construction iNet’ s magazine, THE NEXT BRIGHT IDEA... our final edition, but certainly not the end of the iNet story in the East Midlands as our legacy will prove.
Let me first say that the Sustainable Construction iNet (iNet) started as a very bright idea in 2008, an initiative designed to help shape the future of sustainable construction by working closely with innovative small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) throughout the East Midlands.
By providing funding, expert advice, industry-focused events, targeted networking, ‘Meet the Buyer’ opportunities and major international exhibition exposure, our work has taken us the length and breadth of the region and we have directly interacted with over 4,500 individuals involved in innovation in construction.
Our dedicated team of Innovation Advisors and Financial Support Staff - funded and supported by the University of Northampton and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) - specialise in helping to achieve growth through one-to-one tailored advice to SMEs, as well as access to an extensive professional network including Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs), business specialists and leaders in the construction sector.
Over the past five years our Innovation Advisors have established a sound reputations as focussed, credible and pro-active facilitators, assisting directly with the government’s low-carbon action plan; helping to create and safeguard jobs; deliver viable products and services and increase business profitability, all this running alongside a parallel agenda for a greener environment. A big challenge, and I am delighted to say we were more than up for it!
As we reach the end of our direct five year involvement with the sector, I am proud to say we have provided £619,385.27 in Innovation Support Funding and £223,449,77 in Cash Match Money. We have created over 153 jobs, safeguarded a further 50 positions and have increased the total GVA of the businesses we have assisted by approximately £5million. All this, through one of the worst recessions the construction industry has ever encountered, are results to be proud of and a success story in anybody’s language.
...and that’s not the end of the story, because so many of the projects and businesses we have helped will go on to bigger and better things, providing better systems for sustainable construction, creating more efficient buildings and homes, and if we have helped just one of those businesses achieve their innovation dream… well, our work here is done.
John Liddle
Team Updates
www.construction-inet.org.uk
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Charles Meynell Senior Innovation Advisort: 07959 092024 · e: [email protected]
My role has been to seek out extraordinary and world changing innovators and help commercialise their ideas, so my time here has been totally fascinating. I have been privileged to work alongside some of the most brilliant, innovative brains in the country and help them through the minefield into the marketplace. What is really pleasing, now as things start to pick up, I can already see how many of the businesses we have supported are genuinely going from strength to strength.
I too have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the iNet, my role was to mange the finance and contract compliance side, which allowed me to work closely with the SMEs to understand their projects, help simplify the process through the ERDF system and provide their funding as quickly as possible. I think what the iNet offered was amazing at every level and our excellent track record is something to proud of.
Andrea Wingrove Finance & Contract Compliance Managert: 01604 892865 · e: [email protected]
Barrie Billinghay Innovation Advisort: 07595 092023 · e: [email protected]
For someone like me, with a background in resource efficiency, working with the iNet has been superb. I have been continually impressed by the diversity and quality of idea as well as the breadth and scope of some of the businesses we have managed to help, all with excellent environmental credentials, determined to grow and develop in a highly competitive market. I know some of the businesses I have encountered during my time here, are going to go on to bigger and better things, it’s a good feeling to have been in at the start of someone’s ‘bright idea!’
Rebecca Spence Finance & Administration Assistantt: 01604 892870 · e: [email protected]
My role was to co-ordinate
finance and administration on
behalf of the SMEs that applied for
ERDF funding through the iNet and
to work closely with the external
providers and suppliers. By providing
support to the Innovation Advisors, I
found that some of the projects and
people were so interesting; it was
hard not to become involved!
Ian Hope Innovation Advisort: 07540 677607 · e: [email protected]
With a long-term interest in low-carbon, joining the iNet provided me with the opportunity to utilise my expertise by working with SMEs specialising in these areas. I have been genuinely impressed with the passion and enterprise I have encountered and delighted by the many talented and motivated individuals the iNet has supported. There is some real innovation in the East Midlands, and I am sure the network we have provided will move many of these projects onto the next stage.
Nawal Arshad Innovation Advisort: 07545 419615 · e: [email protected]
I have really enjoyed my time at the iNet and my role specialising in collaborative research and development programmes, bringing together higher education institutions and SMEs to deliver innovative ideas for the future of the construction industry. We have instigated nearly 50 new initiatives with Higher Education Institutes and I am convinced that very few of these would have gone onto the next stage, let alone into the marketplace, without the iNet.
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The Next Bright Idea
Established for over 30 years, Derbyshire’s SRM Industries Ltd is a well known rubber moulding manufacturer. However, a successful business never stands still, and utilising on-site precision engineering facilities, SRM teamed with the iNet to bring their latest project - a collapsible water tank - to the next stage.
The iNet was pleased to support the innovative, experienced and forward thinking team at SRM; with the company receiving £10,000 worth of match-funding through the ERDF to assist with product development. The iNet also initiated collaboration with product design agency, Blue Frog Ltd.
SRM has now finalised the designs for its water tank which will be on the market later in 2013. SRM hopes this new product will help support their growing team and the continuing development of the business.
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Recognised as the first carbon-neutral company in Lincolnshire, Freewatt Ltd, specialist in solar photovoltaic design and installation, has weather cuts to the Feed in
Tarrif; faltering consumer confidence and the recession, yet has still grown year-on-year.
Working with the iNet, Freewatt was initially provided with ERDF funding worth £7,000 for the development of an educational package which led to business opportunities in local schools. Since then the company has expanded services to include commercial and agricultural; schools and education; historic and listed buildings and solar farms. The company has posted increased GVA of £1.6m and the business has more than doubled its staff, from 11 to 23 full-time employees.
Paul Barton, director, SRM Industries Ltd.
Without the iNet’ s advice, expertise and funding, this project would never have taken off. We’re hoping to add even more new staff as a result.
Julian Patrick, managing director, Freewatt Ltd.
The project with the iNet gave the company a major boost in terms of confidence in the industry and in what we wanted to achieve.
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Engineering Innovation: Barrie Billinghay, iNet (right) Paul Barton, SRM (centre) and
Martin Minion, SRM (left).
Freewatt Solar Farm in Lincoln.
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www.construction-inet.org.uk
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Robert Woodhead Ltd, an award-winning construction company in Nottinghamshire, contacted the iNet for support on a ‘heated wall’ research project.
The iNet provided ERDF funding worth £7,000 to conduct a consultation exercise to assess the feasibility and market readiness for its new products. The study did not return the desired outcome but it did result in essential market research. Not only did the company develop
new partnerships, but client and customer relationships as a result.
The company has since employed 18 new members of staff and the research project led directly to an additional £3 million in turnover by securing additional sustainable developments including a Code of Sustainable Homes Level 5 Eco Towns Development in Cross Street.
Northamptonshire-based Compulogic Ltd, an innovative technology firm, has developed a Generated Energy Management system (GEM), which is designed to continually monitor energy generation from micro-generation installations, i.e. solar photovoltaics (PV). The company identified that up to 80% of the energy generated from PV systems is sold to the Grid and then has to be bought back at a much higher rate; GEM turns this surplus energy into hot water before it can be sent back to the Grid, helping to reduce the cost of buying energy.
The iNet provided £9,935 through the ERDF for Compulogic to develop GEM and invited the company to pitch its idea to a specialist panel of experts from Sustainable Building Solutions, part of the Travis Perkins Group in December 2012. Travis Perkins is looking to take on GEM and will showcase the system on its stand at the forthcoming Ecobuild, the world’s largest exhibition for sustainable construction and the built environment.
Compulogic expects to increase profits by 30% following the launch of GEM and has formed a new company, Apollo Solar Electric Ltd, to handle the marketing and sales of the system and plans to create new positions in technical sales and production test.
Bob Morris, director, Compulogic Ltd.
Linc
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The GEM system is a cost-effective, energy saving solution and represents a significant innovation for owners of PV systems. By working with the iNet, we have been able to complete the development of a potential market-leading product.
Glenn Slater, business development director, Robert Woodhead Ltd.
2012 saw a 58% growth in our turnover, the iNet support certainly helped us achieve this.
Sustainable Technology: Ian Hope, iNet (left) with Bob Morris, Compulogic.
Constructing the Future: Glenn Slater, Robert Woodhead and Barrie Billinghay, iNet (right).
Makingthe Network Work?
The Next Bright Idea
6
Since its inception in 2008, the iNet has delivered a unique combination of funding, expertise and advice to SMEs specialising in innovation in sustainable construction throughout the East Midlands.
The East Midlands is an attractive area, with superb rail and road links providing an excellent communications network. With a mixture of cities, market towns and villages surrounded by countryside; the diversity of its landscape is reflected in its economy and the region has always had a strong background in construction, with some of the UK’s largest building companies based here.
Over 4,500 construction professionals attended nearly 120 free events throughout the East Midlands since the inception of the iNet - there’ s no doubt the network works!
Stretching from
Northampton in
the south to Nottinghamsire
in the north, Lincolnshire to the east and Derbyshire
to the west; the region has
a population of 4.5 million*
(ONS 2011) and its growing
at the rate of 22,000
families per year.One of the unique services provided by the iNet initiative was the superb range of free networking events, bringing construction professionals together to talk about innovation, ideas and processes and begin working together.
With over 131,000 people (Construction Skills 2012) involved in the industry in the region, one of the iNet’s main criteria has been to help those working in the East Midlands to network in real terms. Funded by the ERDF, the key tasks of the iNet initiative have been underpinned with a programme of free, regular networking industry-focussed seminars, on a wide and varied range of subjects, hosted throughout the region by key members of the iNet team.
Nearly 120 events took place, bringing together representatives from the whole industry, from chief executives and directors to sub-contractors and self-employed individuals, operating in every aspect of sustainable construction, including associated waste and energy sectors. The iNet’s advisors facilitated conversations between a wide variety of companies and organisations, finding out first-hand what innovation technologies, products and services are being developed and implemented in the East Midlands, right now.
Chris Ward-Brown, National Refurbishment Centre
www.construction-inet.org.uk
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Ecobuild in 2010, 2011 and 2012, the world’s largest exhibition for sustainable
construction. 23 firms joined the iNet at Ecobuild 2011 and 2012, reporting over 2,600 visitors to their stands and nearly 500 hot sales leads generated for their products and services collectively.
A key tool for the iNet is the ability to facilitate successful
collaborations.
The regular networking events brought many
companies together to work on specific projects and the iNet team used the
far reaching events schedule as an extension of
services to clients.
What the iNet has managed to achieve at its events over the past five years is incredible. Attracting over 4,617 businesses to 119 events is testament to the quality of our speakers and the value of networking within this industry.John Liddle manager, iNet
We were delighted with the success of the ‘Meet the Buyer’
event and pleased to work alongside the East Midlands Property
Alliance and the iNet. This collaboration shows the ongoing commitment from
both the public and private sectors to not only offer skills training but also bolster the employment opportunities for the region.
The iNet has spearheaded many events over the years, including full-day conferences; breakfast seminars; one-to-one information clinics and ‘Meet the Buyer’ opportunities - where SMEs receive instant feedback on their feasibility of an idea for a new product or process.
To qualify for iNet support companies had to operate commercially in construction or an associated industry sector; require technical assistance or business advice for their idea, product or process and expect to protect or create jobs in the East Midlands as a result.
The iNet also provided the opportunity to exhibit at
Since 2008, the iNet has engaged with over 4,617 delegates at networking events across the region. For many delegates, these events were the first chance to understand how the iNet could help their business and begin a conversation with the iNet advisors. Over 153 full time jobs have been created and 50 jobs safeguarded as a result of advice, guidance and ERDF funding support for projects initiated at iNet events.
Alistair McCallum framework manager, Wates Construction
John Liddle, iNet with Arbo Facades at Ecobuild 2012
Delegates attend the Retrofit Conference in Northamptonshire
The Next Bright Idea
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In thenews
Essential to the
iNet’s package of
innovation support
and funding for clients
was publicity. This
additional service
included participating
in regular press
activities, including
local press, radio
interviews, regional
business and national
trade magazines and
involvement in industry
magazine features.
By engaging in
publicity, the iNet’s
clients were given the
opportunity to launch
services and products
through various media
channels, all as part
of the support service.
Many businesses did
not have the funds to
employ a team to help
promote its services
and products through
PR activities and so the
iNet was able to assist
them further.
50Jobs
have been safeguarded via the iNet
For more information about the Sustainable Construction iNet visitwww.construction-inet.org.ukcall 01604 892870 or email [email protected]
The iNet is a success!
The views and opinions expressed in this magazine are solely those of the authors and not those of the organisations or the individuals mentioned unless quoted. Art
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PR ©
2013
£941,304.14 Collaborative Research & Development Funding
given to Higher Education Institutions
153.5 Since 2008
jobs have been created via the iNet
4,617
£5m
APPRO
X INCREASE IN GROSS VALUE ADDED FOR EAST MIDLANDS BUSINESSES
119Total number of events held
Number of delegates at events
£619,385.27The total INNOVATION SUPPORT FUNDING invested
Check out these facts and statistics...