Consultancy confirms manufacturers being more innovative
A TECHNOLOGY consultancy has confirmed the findings of a new survey which suggests manufacturers in the Midlands are having to be more innovative to counter rising prices.
Ceram, an independent consultancy based in Staffordshire, said the findings of the report by EEF and RBS had come as little surprise.
The report concluded two-thirds of companies had looked to source elsewhere and that 40% had used cheaper alternatives.
As a materials specialist, Ceram said it had been working with clients for many years to help them find alternative raw materials and to develop better and new products and processes to increase profitability.
The consultancy has recently established a new partnership that aims to develop innovative ideas, test the feasibility of those ideas and then bring them quickly and cost-effectively to market.
Tony Kinsella, Ceram chief executive, said: “Rising materials prices and energy costs are forcing our clients to be innovative.”
He said sourcing cheaper materials and developing materials and technologies to produce new and better-performing products was vital for manufacturers in the region. The consultancy said it was now working across many sectors to help firms both cut costs and develop cutting-edge products.
Mr Kinsella said it was not just about developing innovative products. He said his team was working on new technologies to improve manufacturing processes in order to lower costs, particularly the cost of energy.
One project has involved a radical new ceramic firing technology, which is designed to help Stoke’s traditional ceramic manufacturers. Another project involves a water footprinting protocol, which helps firms to measure, manage and reduce their water usage and therefore costs.
Ceram operates in a wide range of sectors: construction; healthcare and medical devices; refractories; aerospace & defence; automotive & transport; consumer & retail; energy & environment; materials manufacturing; minerals; and semiconductor & electronics.
