Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), enabling simulation adoption
Business challenge
Process Innovation
Growth & Scaling
Digital Transformation
Skills & Training
Sector
Manufacturing
SME
Technology or capability
Automation & Robotics
Simulation & Modelling
How a Knowledge Transfer Partnership helped RM Group unlock £4m+ revenue
RM Group, a leading UK-based OEM in end-of-line automated packaging, partnered with MTC through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) to unlock new capabilities in simulation technology. RM Group is an end-of-line automated packaging provider (based in Newtown, Wales) that identified huge growth potential nationwide and globally. Historically operating in a niche within the construction sector, this forward-thinking organisation sought to meet a market need and create a USP by offering free animated simulations of their concept designs at the sales/tender stage.
Since the KTP, I can now say that RM Group are a UK based OEM specialising in end of line automation within Intralogistics, Food & Drink, Construction and FMCG sectors.
We are one of the longest serving ABB value providers, and one of the few OEM’s to gain Siemens Technology partner accreditation. We’ve recently started a project for Bentley to assist with automating their stores system, and have completed major multi million pound projects for the likes of Greggs and Twinings (ABF Group). We are a £9M Turnover business, employing 54 people.”
James Nicholls, RM Group Director
Project Challenges
RM Group were keen to invest in technologies that gave a commercial, performance, or quality benefit and they believed that the innovation would allow them to increase revenue and expand into new markets. Despite limited in-house resource and technical skills, after 3 years they transformed their original 2D concept drawings to 3D (static) schematics. This innovation boosted sales conversion rates. However, the company were not making full use of the capability of the software, and their investment, or achieving their original aims. In order to be successful in the new markets that they were entering they needed the added credibility that animated simulations of their concepts could bring. Based in a very rural location, the company struggled to offer an attractive enough proposition to entice potential skilled staff. So they engaged MTC support with a Knowledge Transfer Partnership project.
MTC’s Solution
MTC worked with the company to define a vision, and project scope, and wrote and submitted the KTP grant application. MTC provided expertise to recruit appropriate resource and acted as the employer, of the recruit, who worked at the company for the majority of the project. During the project MTC provided weekly hands-on technical and project support, combined with the daily work of the recruit. Through staff upskilling in advanced simulation, improvements to the design process and knowledgebase, and the free exchange of knowledge between all collaborators, RM Group were able to achieve their original aims and create true-to-life animated, visualisations of their concept designs at the sales/tender stage. MTC were able to encourage the simulation software company to collaborate on the KTP project by reducing software costs, supporting training, and providing additional technical resources. As well as manufacturing, technology, and project management expertise, to enhance the outcomes of the project, MTC brought some of its understanding gained in the ‘computer gaming’ sector, to make the simulations representative and more immersive.
The KTP was the foundation of the relationship between MTC and RM Group. MTC has also supported the business with operational performance improvement, technical challenges, and general business guidance that helped achieve their growth ambitions.
Steve Smith, MTC Director
The Outcome
Simulation is now an integral part of RM Group's workflow. The KTP has embedded capability, to create animated simulations, that the company had struggled for years to attain. Crucially, RM Group can simulate rapidly at low cost, and to a level of realism beyond that of the software.
The KTP achieved these impressive results within 3 months, and the remainder of the 24-month project was spent training new and existing staff and ensuring that the capabilities were truly embedded and maximised.
Planned and serendipitous benefits have seen the company achieve an additional £4M+ revenue, double their sales target, and double their sales conversion rate. In addition, RM Group are now winning large tenders in new markets and have significantly increased export sale.
The KTP has allowed for recruitment and upskilling of staff to Advanced Simulation Engineer level and has strengthened the strategic relationship with MTC for ongoing support.
“Over the course of the project, RM Group have recruited and trained new staff and up-skilled existing staff, to Advanced Simulation Engineer level. With the training collateral created during the KTP, RM have since demonstrated that they can on-board and fully train new Simulation Engineers, independently. As I see it, MTC supported the company to overcome a skills and knowledge gap, and now they are rightfully reaping the rewards of clever strategy, effort, and investment"
Magnus McFarlane, MTC Lead Advisor