Knowledge Transfer Patnership news

Burts Chips Ltd was established in 1997 and now employs more than 30 staff from its base in Devon, manufacturing and selling high quality hand-fried potato chips in a fiercely competitive specialist sector of the market. Burts recruited BSc (Hons) Animal Sciences graduate Rebecca (Becky) Woodward and with the support of the University of Plymouth KTP team and academic experts in agriculture, food science and technology, established a formal technical function and commenced the process of generating a recognised Quality Management System to British Retail Consortium (BRC) Global accreditation standard for food production. To meet consistently growing demand, Burts recently relocated to a new, purpose-built manufacturing facility in Plymouth and Becky has accepted the permanent position of Technical Manager.

Logo Design Ltd was established in 1977 by its current owners to provide a full graphic design and marketing service including design and copy for print, designing of logos, corporate identities, brand images, websites, packaging design and PR. They turned to the University of Plymouth’s KTP team and academic experts within the School of Computing, Communications and Electronics, to source knowledge and expertise in new media production and communication technologies to meet emerging demands within their rapidly changing markets. With the help of University of Plymouth BSc (Hons) Media Lab Arts graduate Luke McGowan, Logo Design are now set to deliver new media solutions that will achieve measurable results and make a real difference to the company and its clients.

Paignton Zoo Environmental Park takes its environmental responsibilities very seriously and is constantly striving to identify key areas for improvement in reducing its environmental impact. It recruited KTP Associate Alexis Huggins, an MSc graduate in Environmental Impact Assessment, Auditing and Management Systems, and with assistance from University of Plymouth’s experts in Environmental Science and the KTP team, designed and implemented an Environmental Management System (EMS) across all sectors of the organisation. The project achieved ISO 14001 accreditation status, ensuring compliance with legislation, and reduced the environmental impact by minimizing the risk of accidental environmental damage and minimising utility consumption across all operational areas – this was reflected in tangible savings in energy consumption and in particular reduced water consumption by 26%. At the end of her project Alexis was offered a fixed post as Environmental Officer.

Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust (PHNT) at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, provides acute and specialist care services and recently became a teaching hospital through its involvement in the Peninsula Medical School (PMS). PHNT turned to the University of Plymouth’s KTP team and experts from the Faculty of Social Science & Business for assistance in overcoming issues surrounding the delivery of more effective clinical training and deployment policies for junior doctors within the time constraints of the EU Working Time Directive.

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With over 15 years experience of managing KTP at the University of Plymouth, we are now seeking to help develop even more partnerships throughout the South-West Region. For more information on Knowledge Transfer Partnerships at the University of Plymouth and what it could deliver for your organisation visit: www.plymouth.ac.uk/ktp or call our Business Enquiry Service on 0800 052 5600