Glassbond - KTP Case Study - The University of Liverpool - Maria Anderson

As a result of applied research undertaken in collaboration with The University of Liverpool, a St Helens manufacturer has recently opened two new research laboratories. Glassbond (NW) Ltd manufactures lamp capping cements for the lighting industry. Lamp capping cement is the adhesive that holds the glass of the bulb to the metal cap. In an industry worth £15m p.a., Glassbond claims a 15 per cent market share. Through a successful funding bid to the Merseyside KTP Centre, Glassbond was able to support a KTP Associate for two years to work with academic experts at The University of Liverpool. The aim of each KTP programme is threefold; to improve the competitiveness of the company, to enhance the career of the graduate and to make the work of the academic experts more relevant to business. Glassbond is continuously researching and developing new and modified cements and has become a pioneer in a field where quality can guarantee improved efficiencies in manufacture and performance.

In a drive for technical perfection and to improve its commercial competitiveness, Glassbond recruited Maria Anderson as its KTP Associate. A polymer scientist with a Masters degree in chemical engineering, Maria was asked to conduct a scientific investigation into why lamp capping cement sometimes fails.

Glassbond’s Technical Director, Philip Randell says: "The KTP programme was by far the best route for us to take when exploring this problem, allowing us access to state-of-the-art equipment and leading edge expertise at a cost we could afford."

Maria was supervised by a colleague at Glassbond and by two academics at The University of Liverpool – a materials scientist from the Department of Engineering and an organic chemist from the Department of Chemistry.

Speaking of her experience, Maria says: "Through the KTP scheme I have been able to combine Glassbond’s existing technical know-how with the cutting edge skills and resources of the University.

"This has increased my own knowledge base. It has also enabled me to apply this new knowledge to Glassbond’s existing practices, increasing efficiency and developing new manufacturing processes."

Dr Andy Jones, Assistant Director of the Merseyside KTP Centre at Liverpool University adds: "The KTP benefits the University by giving students an opportunity to see the business relevance of the research work they have carried out."

For Glassbond, the conclusion of the two year KTP programme was a catalyst for evaluating their own research and quality laboratory provisions.

Glassbond’s Philip Randell says: "We already had one laboratory which was used for both quality and research and development. However, with the increased knowledge gained through Maria’s work with The University of Liverpool, we recognised that we needed to expand our facilities.

"Investment in research is vital for the continued prosperity of an SME. Each year we allocate a percentage of our turnover for reinvestment into R&D. Additionally this year, we have provided substantial extra funding for the new research facilities and renovation of the existing quality laboratory."

The new research laboratories were officially opened on Tuesday, 4 February 2003 by TCD consultant Fiona Nightingale.

In 2001, Glassbond was awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the International Trade category, in recognition of its sustained export growth over the previous six years.

Started in 1978, Glassbond now supplies lighting manufacturers in more than 50 countries across Europe, North and South America and the Asia Pacific region. Its customer base includes multinationals such as Osram, GE and Philips.