The university has recently been awarded a shorter Knowledge Transfer Partnership (sKTP) with Plastica Ltd, a swimming pool accessories manufacturer based in St Leonards-On-Sea.

The 48 week project aims to increase profitability by developing a product design process and implementing it to design an automated domestic swimming pool cover which meets the needs of the market, particularly with respect to stringent health and safety legislation.

In delivering a new product design process and launching this new product, the transfer of knowledge from the University to the company during the project will provide the company with an embedded in-house design engineering capability which will equip them to grow and innovate further beyond the life of the project, with the potential to design and manufacture products for alternative markets.

The project will be supported by two academics from the School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics – Mark Milne and Simon Busbridge. Through research into current best practice, legislation and industry standards, the project will ensure that the new product incorporates functionality and features which offer advantages over current safety covers.

KTP with the University of Brighton was recommended to Plastica by their sister company Plastipack who are on their third KTP with the University. The University's relationship, which started when the company joined Profitnet, has been mutually beneficial with the partnership enabling the company to position itself as a leading innovator in the sector, as well as developing and launching new products.

The Technology Strategy Board, who fund KTP, are keen to receive proposals involving companies who wish to grow and innovate by working in partnership with a university. To find out more about KTP, please contact our KTP Manager Shona Campbell on 01273 642435 / 07967 676061 or email s.e.campbell@brighton.ac.uk.