Digital Manufacturing increases factory capacity by 50% with the help of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership - KTP

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.”

Fifth Wheel Co. has increased its capacity by 50%, allowing it to increase production from 35 vans to 50 over a year. This is estimated to increase turnover by ￡1.3M. The introduction of cloud-based data has eliminated paper from the production process, speeding up information transfer from the design office to the factory and increasing accuracy. The project has put in place the foundations for further in-house manufacturing capabilities to use more lightweight composite materials to reduce the weight of the vehicles and align with the drive towards electric vehicles. 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 inhouse 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.”

To read more about this fantastic story of collaboration, and success in Digital Manufacturing, click here : https://www.madesmarter.uk/media/buvmlfb4/fifth-wheel-case-story.pdf