University of Bath KTP Programme
Bray Group Ltd
The Company
Founded in 1978, Bray Group offers a range of healthcare solutions that
improve the lives of people around the world. With their wide distribution
network they sell products in more than 40 countries.
Bray’s core business activities are the manufacture of Avoca Silver Nitrate
Applicators and Pencils, Portia Vaginal Ring Pessaries and Nix Styptic
Pencils. They are the only licensed manufacturer of silver nitrate applicators
and pencils in the UK.
Partnership rationale
This 24 month Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between Bray Group
Ltd and the University of Bath is to research, specify, develop and implement
a full redesign of the bespoke manufacturing and packing machinery used in
production of skin treatment applicators to achieve a step-change in
production volumes and meet demand from new international markets.
Partnership Objectives
Bray Group’s vision is to build on a very stable and lucrative position in the UK
market for production and sale of silver nitrate applicators, vaginal pessaries
and styptic pencils, and expand into targeted international markets in which
the company are aware of significant demand for their products.
To achieve this vision, the company need to redesign their bespoke
production and packaging machinery, which was originally developed inhouse over 20 years ago. Whilst the machinery is still effective in meeting
demand for UK sales, it is unsuitable if the company are to pursue a step
change in sales growth and associated production volumes.
The KTP project will deliver research and development underpinning design
and production of a new, innovative, automated system for loading, dipping
sticks precisely into silver nitrate, and then packaging various quantities of
product depending on specific orders.
Associate role
The Associate will lead research and development on the project, with
supervision from the University and a Company lead. They will engage
directly with the company Production staff and Senior Management to ensure
project outputs are fit for purpose and meet all end user requirements.
Technically, the Associate will be responsible for the full engineering definition
of the new silver nitrate application system. This will cover the creation and
production of full technical drawings, 3D CAD models and related bills of
materials to prove the core concepts of the preliminary design are both
technically and commercially viable. Significant time will be spent on
developing physical prototypes for rig testing and verification trials for
mounting the applicator sticks, applying the precise dosage of silver nitrate to
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the tip of the stick, and delivering the finished applicator and automated batch
packaging module within the system. The Associate will also design and
develop an appropriate automation and control system that will ensure safe
operation of the machine without the need for any external human
intervention. Developing an autonomous dipping capability will free up
resources that can be employed in other areas of this very busy enterprise.
There will clearly be a need for formal project management to ensure that the
technical deliverables are met in a timely and cost-effective manner. The
Associate will be expected to fulfil the duties of Project Leader whilst working
with colleagues from the University and Company. This will require close
liaison with employees, suppliers and partners to ensure that everyone is
aware of any configuration changes or schedule revisions that may arise.
Partnership management
The KTP Project is managed through the Local Management Committee
(LMC). This is chaired by the senior company executive and comprises the
Company and Academic leaders/supervisors and a KTP Advisor (Innovate UK
representative). The LMC meets every four months and is responsible for
programme direction, ensuring that all parties gain maximum benefit and
authorising expenditure.
Associates are expected to prepare an executive summary, to report on
progress for the LMC meeting and this must be circulated in advance to LMC
members. They are also expected to make a formal presentation on some
aspects of their work at this meeting.
A monthly progress meeting is held with the Company and Academic
Supervisors. The Associate is expected to arrange and document these
meetings. The Associate is required to maintain a log of the tangible benefits
of the project and to provide internal seminars for other members of University
and Company staff, based on knowledge acquired through attendance at
courses and conferences.
Associate profile
The Associate will require a Master’s Degree in either Mechanical
Engineering, Integrated Mechanical and Electrical Engineering or an
equivalent related field.
The successful applicant will require experience in the light industrial sector,
and have worked on placement for at least six months during the course of
undergraduate studies. Postgraduate employment experience within the food,
packaging or medical equipment industrial sectors would be desirable, but not
essential.
We would also expect you to demonstrate, through examples of previous
work;
The ability to lead and facilitate technical development
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A manufacturing and product orientated approach
Strong design and engineering skills
Personal ambition and self-motivation to own and drive the project
forward with minimum supervision within agreed and directed task
boundaries
Excellent written and oral communication and IT skills
Associate’s expectation
The Associate will have the opportunity to pursue a higher degree as a
member of staff of the University. Bath provides an MPhil in Knowledge
Transfer specifically for KTP Associates, or another higher degree offered by
the Department of Mechanical Engineering may be appropriate.
The Associate may have the opportunity to gain undergraduate level teaching
experience by co-supervising undergraduate dissertation students and giving
the occasional seminar to students of the Department of Mechanical
Engineering, to deliver papers at international conferences and to co-author
articles. They will be encouraged and supported to apply for Chartered
membership of a relevant professional body, probably the IMechE or a similar
professional body as graduate member.
On successful completion of the project there is potential for the Associate to
be offered a permanent position with the company. However, if this is not
possible, the Associate will still have gained;
Substantial experience of project management and delivery
General business and management experience through close
involvement with the senior management team of a successful and
growing company
Experience of influencing senior management into adoption of project
recommendations
Experience of communicating ideas and technologies internally to
create buy-in from key stakeholders and with supply chain companies
and customers
Experience of working and communicating with a team and developing
and selling ideas within a close, collaborative environment.
Expertise in product design and the design process with substantial
skills in manufacturing issues
An understanding of the challenges encountered with implementing
innovative design and manufacturing techniques to a manufacturing
process that has remained unchanged for over 20 years.
Additionally, the Associate will become an expert in Computer Aided Design
and Digital Simulation Techniques. They will also have the opportunity to
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develop commercial acumen and create a business case, based on market
performance, for the implementation of their work.
Salary and conditions of employment
Salary Range is £24,000 - £27,000 per annum depending on qualifications
and experience and the reward package includes a pension contribution and
separate £4,000 personal training and development budget.
The Associate will be appointed by the University as a member of staff with
the Department of Mechanical Engineering, responsible to the appointed
academic supervisor. The contract of employment is for 24 months. There is
a probationary period of six months, during which time the contract may be
terminated by either side with one month’s notice. Thereafter, the required
notice period to be given by either side is three months. The University
requires a mid- probationary report after three months and a full probationary
report at six months.
In other respects the Associate will be treated as a company employee. Work
will mainly take place at the Company’s premises but may necessitate
working at the University as appropriate for certain activities of the project.
The conditions of work, including work hours and holiday entitlement, will be
those applying to Company employees. An appraisal is carried out at six
months with the Academic and Company Supervisors. This is used to identify
the Associate’s training requirements in relation to programme tasks and their
personal development plan. There will be further appraisals at twelve and
eighteen months.
Whilst there is no commitment on the company to retain the Associate at the
end of the programme, it is expected that the Associate will be made aware of
future prospects at their eighteen month appraisal. KTP appointments cannot
normally be extended beyond the end of the project.
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