Rhuallt Manufacturer Unlocks Hidden Potential Thanks to Partnership with Grŵp Llandrillo Menai
Luxury caravan and Fifth Wheel manufacturer The Fifth Wheel Company (Fifth Wheel Co.) has unlocked capacity, increased productivity and profits, and created a culture of collaboration and innovation, after partnering with Busnes@LlandrilloMenai, the business branch of Grŵp Llandrillo Menai.
Busnes@LlandrilloMenai works with companies and professionals throughout North Wales to offer a whole range of specialist training, accredited courses and work based learning courses.
The company collaborated with Grŵp Llandrillo Menai and KTP Associate Charlie Small through the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme to implement new smart digital manufacturing processes which introduced advanced composite materials to the company’s bespoke product range.
Through the KTP programme Fifth Wheel Co. has been able to introduce new digital manufacturing processes that allows real-time access to key information, and radical changes were made to workflow. Enabling 5th Wheel to increase its production capacity by 50% with an estimated uplift in turnover of £1.3M, the project has also impacted on the company’s capability to manufacture more of its components in-house which has added real value to the business.
Charlie Small, KTP Associate, said: “Having a third party involved brought a new perspective to Fifth Wheel Co.’s production processes and mindset. It is no longer reliant on third party suppliers and has massively increased its in-house capability. There is a new level of trust, confidence and autonomy flowing through the business. R&D is now part of everyday life, and everyone is striving to do things better. “The project helped show the art of the possible and changed hearts and minds.”
Gareth Hughes, Centre Manager CIST & Innovation, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, said: "The KTP project with Fifth Wheel has been a very technically challenging project which has produced excellent outcomes to both the college and company."
Vaughan Gething, Minister for the Economy, Welsh Government, said: “Knowledge Transfer Partnerships offer real solutions to difficult problems for industry, and this example recognises their ability to help solve problems by having a real business impact. In Wales, industry and academia continue to collaborate so positively for the benefit of future generations and the Welsh Government will continue to support that.”
More information: https://www.madesmarter.uk/med...