Martin Millson
Design Manager: Engineering
University of Warwick
Experiences of a KTP
associate
Career History
1980
Aged 16
TWI
The Welding
Institute
Welding Research
Technician
HNC
Apprentice - technician
AI
Analytical
Instruments
1990
Career Break 9 months Travelling
Arcom
Control Systems
Ion Science
1999
Applications
Engineer
Leak test machines
Systems
Technician
Computer systems
Design
Engineer
Leak test machines
COVENTRY UNIVERSITY
MVS
Mayflower Vehicle
Systems
BEng. 2:1
Contract Design
Engineer
2DCAD Bus bodies
2000 Applied for University of Warwick 2 year TCS/KTP
Project as advertised in Coventry Evening Telegraph
TCS Project : XCalibre Engineering- University of Warwick
The development of a novel low energy door opening
system for domestic and residential use - a long standing
passion of the owner – unrelated to their core business of
diamond drilling equipment manufacture.
TCS Project: Develop and validate the basic prototype and
produce a product package ready for volume manufacture
and investigate routes to market.
The project was ended 2 months short of completion by the
MD due to the increasing complexity of all the possible
permutations of product installation – Project Killed
Associate benefits
• 2 week residential management training – 20 delegates
from early 20’s to 45 years – great variety of industries,
projects – quality training materials and events.
• Training budget – used to purchase and set up 2DCAD.
• Opportunity to study NVQ in management through TCS
• Opportunity to register for post graduate degree with
Warwick
University Research Fellow
working as part of a team
supporting SME’S on concurrent
engineering activities.
2001 Applied for 2nd KTP Project between the University
of Warwick and Teal Patents Ltd.
Teal Patents Ltd approached the University for advise on
replacing a range of labour intensive outdated products .
Warwick suggested a 2 year KTP placement to complete
development of a novel hand wash system, and introduce a
New Product Development plan based on concurrent
engineering practice to ensure further successful product
generation.
TEALWASH 12/24
• Company profit + 20% over
2yr project
• Sales growth 500% c p/m.
• Manufacturing cost - 25%
• Labour cost - 80%
• 110 and 230V models made
Invited to stay as Chief Designer at Teal and over the next 8
years developed a range of global selling products in vehicle,
medical care, catering, educational and other markets.
Company Benefits
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KTP Product Champion – dedicated to driving the project
Access to World Class manufacturing Knowledge base and
technical support staff.
Cultural shift in manufacturing and product development
practices – freeing resource to market quality products
Worldwide.
A planned NPD process enabling better product success rate.
Company expansion and secured future profits.
University Benefits
Real Life case study material
Expert Knowledge Co-examiner for student MSc Viva.
Strengthen industrial/commercial links and reputation
Provide a support service to bolster local economy.
Associate Benefits
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Competitive salary and weekly university mentor support
4 weeks residential management training & associate network
Company mentors – Directors and production management
Fully funded MSc by Research- access to taught MSc modules
Extensive European travel to establish marketing opportunities
Daily interaction with staff at all level, suppliers, customers, MD.
Broad range of transferable commercial skills gained and CPD to
gain I Eng status in 2007.
My Current position
I feel very privileged to have completed 2 KTP projects that have been
interesting and challenging and taught me that enthusiasm and
persistence delivers. I am now Design manager with the engineering
department at Warwick – designing one off research equipment for
the academics and students from across the globe – my practical and
commercial skills compliment those of academia and I hope my
enthusiasm for engineering and the KTP programme speaks for itself!
Thank you for listening!
Any
Questions?