
CMF is pleased to start the new year by announcing two new University Department Members.
Firstly, the Mechanical and Construction Engineering (MCE) Department, Northumbria University at Newcastle, which has expertise in metallurgy, rapid solidification and processing-structure-property relationships and receives funding from EPSRC, Royal Society, Innovate UK, IOP. Mechanical & Construction Engineering to explore a wide range of areas, including research into advanced materials, product development, environment and energy, and many more. In particular, the MCE Department focusses on the development of metallic materials and would be interested to hear from any CMF Members interested in collaboration through funded Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, KTPs.
Anyone interested in exploring possible alloy development programmes, or support with metallurgical matters, as well as information about possible KTPs, is invited to contact the CMF so that we can put you in touch with the lead person.
Secondly the Enterprise Research Centre (ERC), University of Warwick, which has now established itself as the leading centre of excellence in the UK for research into the growth, innovation and productivity of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The ERC, which was established in 2013 with the aim of providing high quality, independent research and analysis to inform government policy on small and medium enterprises (SMEs), has quickly established itself as the ‘go-to’ reference point for anyone looking for robust, trusted data and insights on SME performance.
The Department will already be known to CMF members as Dr Temi Akinremi has been leading a research study focused on understanding practices that contribute to productivity improvements and the possible barriers to innovation collaboration.
Segmented into three phases over a three-year period, the EPSRC funded study – ‘Diffusing Excellence Across UK Foundries and Metal-Forming Firms’ – is being undertaken by Enterprise Research Centre (ERC) at the Warwick Business School, in conjunction with the Cast Metals Federation (CMF) and the Confederation of British Metalforming (CBM), as part of the UK government industrial strategy and is now entering its final year.
“The UK manufacturing sector has faced some significant challenges over recent years, and as we now look forward to a future outside of the EU, then a positive approach to innovation and development has arguably never been more important,” said Dr Pam Murrell, CMF CEO. “Having strong strategic partnerships will enable us to continue to support the UK casting & foundry industry and I am sure that both the MCE and ERC will bring significant expertise to our members”.