NPL Huddersfield success shines at Sci and Tech Select Committee
One of NPL Huddersfield's labs in the University's 3M Buckley Innovation Centre
Fri, 25 Sep 2015 11:28:00 BST
“...NPL is seeking to replicate its success in Huddersfield by forging similar partnerships...”
A PARLIAMENTARY committee has been told how an expanding laboratory at the University of Huddersfield is playing an important role in boosting the region’s manufacturing industry. Its success means it will be the model for similar labs and partnerships in other parts of the UK.
Since 2010 the National Physical Laboratory – which has its HQ in Teddington and is possibly the world’s most-respected organisation in the science and business of precision measurement – has had a Huddersfield base. Now located in the University’s 3M Buckley Innovation Centre, the NPL Huddersfield lab is continually adding to its facilities and equipment and has carried out metrology work and training for a wide range of companies.
The Deputy CEO and Director of Operations for NPL, Martyn Sené, was recently invited to Parliament’s Science and Technology Select Committee, which is scrutinising the Government’s 2016-17 science budget and making recommendations.
When he gave evidence to the committee, Mr Sené told of the need for investment in innovation and how the NPL could help deliver a competitive advantage for UK industry.
He then highlighted the growth and success of NPL Huddersfield, and the businesses it has worked with. This demonstrates the significant impact of having a regional presence, said Mr Sené, because the lab is able to encourage innovation, particularly with small and medium-sized enterprises, by providing manufacturers with access to NPL’s measurement expertise and facilities.
Mr Sené went on to say that NPL is seeking to replicate its success in Huddersfield by forging partnerships with universities in other regions – Surrey and Strathclyde.
Delivering a competitive advantage
At NPL Huddersfield, the lab’s manager, Andy Morris (pictured centre with the University's Chancellor, HRH The Duke of York), said he was delighted by Mr Sené’s comments at the influential committee.
“We were the first NPL lab put into a region specifically to help its economy and we know we are starting to have an impact because local businesses and local authorities are telling us,” said Mr Morris.
He currently has a staff of 10, and this will grow to about 25 as the lab continues to expand. It is shortly to occupy a third unit in the Innovation centre and over the past 12 months it has made significant additions to its roster of equipment, such as new co-ordinate measuring machines (CMM), a rotary table and Koba gauges that can be used to help regional companies evaluate the accuracy of their own measuring technology.
Shortly, NPL Huddersfield will acquire a lower cost CMM from the UK manufacturer Aberlink that will provide an economical way of aiding companies with tighter budgets. The lab also provides training for companies, as a way of ensuring that key metrology skills are maintained by manufacturing industry. Metrology research and development are also carried out at the lab and the partnership with the University of Huddersfield includes internships for students.
NPL Huddersfield has worked with a wide variety of firms. Aerospace and medical technology have been major areas of collaboration, but work has recently been carried out for firms in diverse fields that include valve manufacture and chain making. The lab has worked with firms throughout the north of England and farther afield.
“The new NPL regional labs will be modelled on Huddersfield but have different areas of specialisation,” said Mr Morris. “We have learned a lot of lessons and now we are glad to be able to pass on our knowledge,” he added.
