Within the Engineering Department of the Lancaster University, a Lancaster Product Development Unit was set up. This unit was responsible for the implementation of the Lancaster Virtual Prototyping Project and functioned as a ‘one-stop product development shop’.

The project enabled SMEs to benefit from the latest developments in the powerful emerging technology of Virtual Prototyping and specifically the University’s expert knowledge in this subject.

Virtual Prototyping describes the process of developing new and revised products and components by testing software models, often as an alternative to the construction of physical prototypes. This produced significant benefits for manufacturers: increased profitability, competitiveness and efficiency.

Target sectors were the automotive, aerospace, general engineering and manufacturing sectors which rely heavily on sub-contracting and supply chains.

The project activity was managed by the Project Manager who coordinated project delivery against the project plan to ensure that it delivered results on time and within budget.

The Project Manager liaised with the Head of the Engineering Department, Group Leaders of departmental research groups and other relevant University staff to inform them of project progress and to ensure that the project activity had a close fit with the activities of the Engineering Department.

The core Project Team was line managed by the Project Manager who was responsible for ensuring that they had a full understanding of the project requirements, client eligibility and day-to-day activity.

The Project Manager also worked closely with the sub-Regional Business Links, the Regional Development Agency appointed Business Advisors, employer bodies, trade organisations and other relevant agencies to develop effective partnerships for the project and its successful
delivery.

The Virtual Prototyping Project has been extremely successful in delivering knowledge transfer activity to the region and thereby achieving the majority of the outputs and results set.

A number of SMEs reported significant increased sales and subsequent employment growth as the implementation of new products were introduced to the market place, and the acceptance of new processes through the use of design technologies become commonplace within the workplace.

In the majority of categories, the project exceeded its objectives for new wealth and employment creation whilst additionally safeguarding existing jobs and sales.

This project was co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.

This practice was presented at the Fourth Best Practice Conference New Horizons in Graz, Austria on 15 November 2006. The conference aimed at promoting exchange of experience and dissemination of best practice between authorities involved in the implementation on EU Structural Funds Programmes in Europe. It was destined to contribute to improving quality of implementation of Structural Funds on the basis of project presentations and visits.

Engineering Department, Lancaster University
Mr Allan Rennie (Project Manager – Lancaster Product Development Unit)

01/01/2005

case

Urban Policy > Economy knowledge & employment > Urban economy

Business support