BEST PRACTICE CASE STUDY
WG EATON
About INDEX
INDEX (Innovation Delivers Expansion) is a unique demand-led innovation voucher scheme led that invites Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to apply for a voucher to purchase academic support from one of the 13 Higher Education Institutions in the West Midlands. The project is funded by Advantage West Midlands (AWM), Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Innovation Vouchers allow SMEs to purchase academic expertise knowledge to develop their innovation and enhance their business.
The Innovation Voucher scheme aims to build links between Universities and SMEs to create a demand led approach to innovation.ABOUT THE BUSINESS: WG Eaton
W.G.Eaton Limited
61-63 Lower Essex Street
Birmingham
B5 6SN
Telephone: 0121 622 2611
Email: pmw60@blueyonder.co.uk
Main Contact: Mr Peter Wall
WG Eaton is a market leader in the development, manufacture and supply of heat resistant and thermal insulation products.
INNOVATION
Innovation (2) Advanced Materials
THE BUSINESS CHALLENGE
Being a small company, they do not have an R&D department. In order to grow they needed either new products or ideas for products to enter associated markets --based on their expertise in heat resistant and insulation materials. They have capacity --they needed help with research in their market and identification of new materials and products, and also alternative uses for their production skills.
QUOTE
“The INDEX scheme is really good news for smaller companies who do not have the time or resources to fully research many areas that affect their business. It is also much easier to access than some Business Support schemes and it really makes you think about what your particular business really needs to move forward. It has also made me realise the breadth of talent hidden away in our local Universities—I had never even considered that they could help a company like mine in the both the production and sales of high temperature resistant and thermal insulation products.”, Peter Wall, W.G.Eaton Ltd
ABOUT THE HEI: Coventry University
Coventry University
Priory Street
Coventry
CV1 5FB
ABOUT THE ACADEMIC
Ross Thompson, Coventry University Marketing Advice Centre
Ross Thompson is an experienced marketer, management accountant and manager having occupied a variety of senior positions in organisations including: The RMC Group, Anchor Foods and Cancer Research UK.
He has experience and expertise in strategic planning, sales and sales training, market development and customer segmentation. Ross moved into academia in 2003 and has designed and delivered a range of marketing themed training and consultancy projects for companies such as the Dti, Bechtel Engineering and Cancer Research UK.
His research interests lie in Corporate Social Responsibility, alcohol consumption and drinking behaviour and corporate governance. He has been awarded over £100,000 in research income from organizations including the Dti and the Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership.
Ross is currently a Senior Lecturer in Marketing and Strategy at Coventry University Business School and also a senior consultant with CUMAC (Coventry University Marketing Advice Centre) and a member of the Marketing & Advertising Applied Research Group.