Background
Knowledge Transfer Networks (KTNs) are national networks of technical experts and other interested parties, designed to improve the UK's innovation performance by increasing and accelerating the knowledge transfer of technology into UK-based businesses. The Integrated Products Manufacturing KTN (IPM KTN) is one of 24 such networks funded by the UK government and is part of its Technology Programme.
We grew out of the PRIME Faraday Partnership, which was one of the first four Faraday partnerships launched by the UK government in 1997 and re-launched as a KTN in February 2006. The transition to becoming a KTN has been very beneficial for us. We now find ourselves playing an increasingly important role in the development of the government's Technology Strategy, and our workshops and other consultations help to feed and drive the government's Collaborative Research & Development programme and other innovation interventions.
Mission
Our mission is to assist UK industry with research and technology-transfer activities in the design, development and manufacture of complex products with integrated electronic and mechanical function. Our goal is to help companies to bring cutting-edge technology into today's marketplace, and to do this we help our members to utilise existing UK and European funding initiatives.
The Executive Group
The IPM KTN Team, from left to right, Kathryn Latham, Lucy Roberts, Rachel Spencer, Chris Stokes, and Paul Palmer
Organisation
We are a partnership between Loughborough University, the University of Nottingham, and Pera International. Fraunhofer TEG is an associate partner and provides a gateway into the German community of Fraunhofer Institutes, and other European Communities.
The IPM KTN is led from our offices in the Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at Loughborough University where it sits within the Manufacturing Processes Research Group. We have representatives from each of the main partner organisations in the executive group which is responsible for delivery of our activities.
These activities are overseen and endorsed by the IPM KTN management board, which has additional representation from the Technology Strategy Board, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and industry. The management board is independently chaired by an industrialist, Clifford Fowkes formerly of MBDA.
Track Record
In 2007 the we celebrated our 10th year of operation during which time we have worked on funded projects with over 250 organisations. We have helped those organisations to secure funds from the EU Framework Programme, the EPSRC, DIUS and other bodies.
In 2007 the amount of research funding we have helped secure for UK businesses topped the £100 million mark. This funding milestone represents a 20-fold gearing on the £5 million invested in us by the government since we were founded in October 1997.
As a partnership, we have received continuous support from public funding throughout our existence, enabling us to adopt a long-term view and see successful innovations develop through serial projects. Since becoming a Knowledge Transfer Network in February 2006, we have developed new activities to engage with our growing membership, which has quadrupled in that period to more than 2,000. Although our membership is dominated by our target UK audience, the international impact of our web-based activities is highlighted by registrations from all over the world.
Some of our original ideas have grown beyond expectations. The concept of SPARK awards, to stimulate innovation and build new relationships, has been taken up by many technology-transfer organisations that have seen the benefits that can be achieved though appropriate use of small grants.
Feedback
We welcome enquiries and comments and endeavour to reply promptly to anyone who contacts us. You can send us feedback using our online feedback form or by telephone, email, fax or in writing. Our contacts page has contact details for our core staff.