Knowledge Transfer Partnership Case Study

With more than 50 years۪
experience of designing and manufacturing bulk materials handling equipment, Guttridge
produces a range of elevators, conveyors, feeders and ancillary tools to handle
an array of materials including cereals, powders, flakes, pellets and
granules used across a variety of industries.

The challenge 
Bulk materials handling requires a comprehensive understanding of likely material behaviour and flow
properties.

Guttridge has a wealth of
knowledge and experience developed over many years, but the company۪s proud reputation
for Right-First-Time equipment was at risk as long-standing employees started
to retire.

In addition to capturing critical wisdom and skills, the company identified an
opportunity to improve the speed, quality and consistency of its responses to
customers۪ technical enquiries.

The solution
A two-year Knowledge
Transfer Partnership (KTP) part-funded by Innovate UK allowed Guttridge to
work with Loughborough۪s School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing
Engineering to address these issues.

The KTP Associate worked with experienced employees at Guttridge to capture key
knowledge related to screw conveyor specification decisions. He also reviewed
industry guides and technical papers to develop a thorough understanding of the
science of materials handling.

With the support of his University supervisor, the Associate developed a
methodology, a software tool and a traffic light style system to guide proposal
engineers through the process of creating a specification for a screw conveyor
or discharger.

The benefits
The KTP collaboration
addressed and mitigated both of Guttridge۪s business concerns.

The creation of a
software tool and electronic materials database distilled from the knowledge
of long-serving and retiring staff as well as wider industry data embedded
this expertise within the company. As well as expediting the work of existing
employees, these tools support newly recruited proposal engineers enabling
them to be productive immediately without the need for extensive training.

The partnership also
allowed the company to significantly improve the speed, accuracy, consistency
and technical content of quotations as well as the conversion rate of
quotations to orders. What۪s more, there has been a reduction of warranty
claims arising from inaccurate machinery specifications.

As a result of the KTP project, the company predicts a 50,000 increase in
annual turnover over the next three years.

Peter Guttridge, Chairman at Guttride Ltd, commented, 
The KTP collaboration provides a unique and focussed mentoring, training and development programme, with a clearly defined project at its core. I commend the KTP scheme as a fantastic opportunity for graduates looking for a way to develop marketable skills.۝

To find out more about how you can work with the University, please contact:-