1b Llys Onnen, Parc Menai Pencoed Technology Centre Bangor, Gwynedd Bridgend, South Wales LL57 4DF CF35 5HZ T: 01248 671101 T: 01656 861536 F: 01248 671102 W: www.bic -innovation.com INNOVATION NETWORK PARTNERSHIP WALES PARTNERIAETH RHWYDWAITH ARLOESEDD CYMRU North Wales - Gogledd Cymru Date: 30 Jun 2010 Location: Sharp Delegates: Name Organization Email 1 Huw Watkins BIC Innovation [email protected] 2 Mike Gibson BIC Innovation [email protected] 3 Phil Care Sharp [email protected] 4 Paul Byard EEF – The Manufacturers Org [email protected] 5 Christian Byard Observer [email protected] 6 Lynne Lewis Wrexham County Council Eco D [email protected] 7 Peter Scott Wrexham County Council Eco D [email protected] 8 Sasha Davies Cyngor Ynys Mon [email protected] 9 Mark Williams WAG [email protected] 10 Eirian Harrison Enterprise Network Europe [email protected] 11 Gareth Hughes WAG [email protected] 12 Dyfan Searell Coleg Menai [email protected] 13 Gwion Owain University of Wales [email protected] 14 Suzanne Riley Glyndwr University [email protected] 15 Rebecca Irving Glyndwr University [email protected] 16 Peter S. Excell Glyndwr University [email protected] 17 Graham Smith Glyndwr University [email protected] 18 Jan Milburn Magnox Northsites [email protected] 19 Menna Jones Antur Waunfawr [email protected] 20 Huw Davies Antur Waunfawr [email protected] 21 Susan Sherridan WOF (OpTIC Glyndwr) [email protected] 22 Trish Carlin Flintshire Council economic dev [email protected] 23 Trish Reid Bangor University Mgmt Centre [email protected] 24 Ian Thompson Coleg Llandrillo [email protected] 25 Gary Hopkins WAG [email protected] 26 John Davies EEF – The Manufacturers Org [email protected] Chair Huw Watkins Director BIC Innovation Comments made by INPART North members at the round table discussion Huw Watkins – BIC Innovation Huw opened the meeting officially by extending a warm welcome to everyone, particularly the high number of new attendees. He also thanked Philip Care for the invitation to Sharp and for the tour of manufacturing facilities and Solar Energy centre, that followed the meeting. Apologies were received from the following individuals & organisations: Jon Pinnington Cyngor Ynys Mon Chris Gardiner BI-DS Isobel Garner Wrexham Howard Tothill BI-MS Della Pritchard & team WAG - IBW John Parkes WIN Colin Morris Cyngor Gwynedd Gwion Williams Innovation Manager Nia Mon Menter a Busnes Jeff Williams-Jones HRD advisor Sion Hughes Menter a Busnes / Ken Toop & Tony SEMTA LSDP Leahy Dave Johnson WAG Bob Hughes HRD advisor Celia Williams Construction Skills Samantha Williams WAG - RM Maldwyn Williiams Venture Wales Cheryl Whitaker WAG –RM Dylan Williams Cyngor Ynys Mon Ray Thomas HRD advisor Eurwyn Edwards Grwp Llandrillo Joyce Sneddon Grwp Llandrillo Richard Day Glyndwr University Barrie Lee NHS Note – the meeting clashed with the launch of the National Composites Centre, which some members attended. Introduction & Overview The theme of the meeting was innovation in local solar PV technology and supply chain developments. It is also of note that the announcement for the Economic renewal programme is due on 5 July, and that this may affect a wide range of programmes, subsequent to the meeting. Presentation – Sharp Philip Care Philip is the head of marketing for Sharp at Wrexham. The factory makes ‘European solutions’ for European markets –. His presentation can be downloaded from BIC Innovation’s website . There is additional information at www.sharpmanufacturing.co.uk of particular note for the attendees is: • The ‘Ecohouse’ shop – sells all Sharp products that have been refurbished on site. • The solar education centre, which is used by schools and universities, is available for public visits by pre-booking via web. • There are new products, eg plasma cluster ion products available for new markets. There was an extensive discussion through the presentation, the key points of which were: • The focus is on high value products; as a local manufacturer they want to offer equal opportunities for South, Mid and North Wales for solar PV. • Sharp are active in the ‘Arbed’ project (see previous meeting minutes 24 March & Feb 10), and there is a focus on the 5 regeneration areas across Wales. • There are North Wales projects (Energy Island, Mon a Menai) that can benefit from a close relationship with the PV centre & local manufacture clearly reduces ‘carbon foot print’ • Low energy / PV powered lighting systems newly introduced by Wrexham Council on Whitegate industrial estate – and there is possible development of replacement lighting heads for the Council. • There are opportunities to develop the local supply chain links, especially where new products (eg lighting systems) are being introduced, as volumes are low and should build steadily. • It is harder to find local manufacturing capabilities to ‘instantly’ support high levels of production demand – although this is possible for new projects where volumes are lower as routes to market are still being developed (eg solar amenity lighting and 60W PV modules) – see the Supply Chain presentation. There was a natural lead in to the discussion on supply chains at a local & regional level to address a variety of issues. The discussion was complemented by a subsequent tour of both the manufacturing facilities and solar education centre. The meeting ended with Huw’s thanks for an inspiring presentation of Sharp’s capabilities and approach to innovation. Presentation – Supply Chains Paul Byard Paul is Head of External Affairs for the EEF – the Manufacturers Organisation. Paul explained that the presentation set a context based on the recession as a ‘starting point’. Events of the last few years had provided an opportunity to re-evaluate the way supply chains respond to fluctuating demand and the way stock is moved around the world. The importance of Total Acquisition Costs was re-iterated, along with strategies such as dual (local and low cost) sourcing. His presentation can be downloaded from BIC Innovation’s website. There was an extensive discussion following the presentation, the key points of which were: • Traditional ‘lean’ only addresses 5-15% of cost ( ie labour) • There are greater economies to be made in both supply chain and environmental (energy) areas. • Air freight is often used to manage risk in ‘low cost country’ supply chains. • Good design is key to reducing product cost and meeting customer requirements • Local supply chains have an innovation advantage. • A key question is ‘what is the rate of innovation?’ and how sustainable is it in any one company – and how can this be benchmarked. • The Manufacturing Strategy for Wales is delayed due to the Economic Renewal programme (ERP). • Implementing changes in small companies is difficult, due to a lack of ‘in house’ resource & tackling supply chain issues requires both time and understanding. o The basis is a cultural attitude shift o There are a plethora of schemes that might help companies – so a challenge to management is identifying the right one(s). o Business Innovation (with Design, Manufacturing, IP, Commercialisation & Innovation strands) is an excellent ‘one stop shop’ for manufacturers – complemented by other schemes (eg Skills for Growth & Workforce Development from DCELLS). • Aligning skills growth in companies with the growth strategy and innovation is key element for companies to tackle. Round the table discussion: Brief updates & news Sasha Davies – Cygnor Ynys Mon There is a small Arbed project in Llangefni, which includes Solar panels. There is clearly an opportunity with the Mon a Menai and Energy Island projects to invigorate the ‘energy’ agenda; Mon Menai is focussing on the Low Carbon economy. Key issues are cultural change for users and the availability of demonstrator projects. This needs some detailed actions, with a meeting needed with Sharp. Jan Milburn – Magnox There is a need to move from discussion to action; it is clear that the vision of large scale energy efficiency is fundamental – along with the link to driving down the carbon footprint of north Wales. A locally based global leader, like Sharp, is key to deploying expertise, pilot demonstrators and the education centre is a great resource for changing culture. We will contact Sharp to arrange a meeting. Additionally we would like to talk to Glyndwr and Bangor Universities regarding research in energy projects. Gareth Hughes – WAG Relationship Manager The ProAct programme is ending and there is a move to ‘Skills for Growth’, as the successor programme. Much depends now on the outcome of the Economic Renewal programme (ERP). Graham Smith – Glyndwr University (Electrical Engineering) The Higher National Diplomas available through the franchise to Coleg Menai provide an essential stepping stone to the Foundation Degree in nuclear power generation. The follow on development is a BEng in renewable energy, to provide a pathway for students embarking on the diploma courses. Peter Excell – Glyndwr University (Associate Dean, University Institute for Arts, Science and Technology, and Academic Leader Electrical Engineering & Computer Science) Peter highlighted the development path towards an MSc in renewables, along with work developing it with a wind-power company, using support from the ‘Access to Masters’ scheme. He raised questions regarding approaches to energy storage and smart grids – along with the need to engage consumers on a ‘one stop shop’ basis for renewables. More information on a wide variety of activities at Glyndwr is contained in the previous minutes (of 26 May 2010, downloadable from www.bic-innovation.com ) . Suzanne Riley – Glyndwr Innovations (Commercial Manager) Suzanne highlighted the volume of businesses in the area that had received ProAct funding - the programme ended on 30 th June to be replaced by New Skills Wales. Suzanne requested that she may have some good case studies that she could take into businesses to help them buy into the new way of Supply Change Management.