Cardiff and Ford collaboration recognised at top Awards ceremony

A long standing collaboration between Cardiff University and Ford Bridgend has been recognised at the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) 'Best of the Best Awards' 2014.

A KTP between Cardiff's School of Engineering and the Ford Bridgend Engine Plant set out to develop the plant's capability in resource efficiency and performance through improvements in environmental management systems, particularly in waste and wastewater management.

The KTP led to both knowledge and practical improvements within the Plant and also highlighted waste water management improvement opportunities at other engine plants around the world. The environmental management system improvements from Bridgend were also presented at Ford's European environmental conference.

Congratulating Cardiff University and Ford on their successful partnership, Economy Minister Edwina Hart said: "The KTP has played a key role in delivering economic and environmental benefits, and highlights how collaboration can support innovation. "

This and 3 other KTP partnerships  gave the Ford Bridgend Engine Plant a strategic approach to solving business issues which resulted in long-term gains financially, environmentally and operationally. Key elements of the partnerships are being embedded, developed and rolled out across Ford sites.

Paul Thomas, KTP Manager at Cardiff University, said: "Working closely with the management team at Ford, our four KTPs' have delivered significant and ongoing success for both partners, along with added benefits for the local region. In addition to the KTP projects, Cardiff University was selected as one of the UK universities to participate in Ford's Blue Oval Scholarships program, which aims to inspire a new generation of UK scientists and engineers.

"Our focus is to continue developing long term working relationships with industry, for large and small companies alike, helping ensure project goals are met and exceeded. As shown by this KTP, co-funded by the Welsh Government and Innovate UK, collaboration between academe and industry can lead to significant benefit for innovative organisations'

Further information about KTP at Cardiff University can be found atwww.cardiff.ac.uk/ktp