Email News February 2010
Foreword
Welcome to the March issue of email news. As usual it is packed full with information and advice on a range of issues. This month we have included the latest information on issues such as the development of Ports' resources, encouraging young people into the industry and investment in renewable energy technology. Read on to find out more…
Posted 2010-01-04 10:26:16
Project to improve marine businesses’ profitability and sustainability
SMARTA is a three year project aimed at helping marine companies in the South East to improve their profitability and sustainability. The project is jointly funded by the European Union and SEEDA and offers practical assistance for marine businesses via free consultancy provided by experts in production optimisation, sustainable design and environmental best practice.
Marine South East recently held a MareNet event to inform marine businesses of the support available through the SMARTA project.
Delegates at the event learned about a range of business improvement techniques, relevant to both service and manufacturing companies, available through the Manufacturing Advisory Service - South East (MAS SE).
MAS SE experts confidently offer double digit bottom line gains through the use of a number of well proven techniques, an offer which a number of marine businesses have already taken up with astonishing results in improved profitability and efficiency. The SMARTA programme offers marine businesses two free days consultation with MAS SE specialists.
Another element of the SMARTA programme looks at reducing marine businesses' ecological footprint, which also saves the businesses money. The consultants carry out a full audit on water and energy use and waste management., again offering significant bottom line benefits. Participants in the SMARTA programme can access up to five days environmental consultancy free of charge through The Olive Consultancy.
The final partner in the programme, Business Link, looks at all aspects of design in marine businesses, from packaging to branding to communications, and offers practical, achievable solutions through its Designing Demand programme. Again up to five days of free consultancy is available for marine businesses as part of the SMARTA programme.
For more information about the SMARTA programme contact Stephen Sharp on 02380 111594, email stephen@marinesoutheast.co.uk or take a look at the SMARTA website at http://www.smarta.uk.com
More events explaining the benefits of SMARTA will be held later in the year, including an event for Kent planned for March 2010. Please check the Marine South East website for further listings of events.
Posted 2010-01-31 19:39:53
Marine South East launches the ‘MEREX’ Knowledge Network
The new Marine Energy Resources, Exploitation & Use (MEREX) Knowledge Network has been launched to foster new collaborations between the knowledge base and businesses in South East England.
As part of SEEDA's Knowledge Network Programme (KNP), MEREX will bring together universities, research establishments, regulatory bodies and businesses to exploit research opportunities and catalyse collaboration. The primary aim of the network is to turn knowledge into commercially successful products and services. MEREX will help members secure additional project funding by assisting with partnership building and bid development.
The KNP currently supports 7 networks, each focused on specific priority technologies. The networks work together to identify cross-sectoral opportunities and enable creative environments in which lateral thinking and challenge is promoted.
MEREX will facilitate 'Industry Groups' to explore the feasibility of novel developments in three growth markets:
1. Hybrid marine propulsion & auxiliary systems benefiting from use of renewable energy resources (to help meet 10% renewable energy target for transport by 2020)
2. Port facilities to valorise waste streams and other renewable resources to reduce energy consumption and emissions around ports
3. Ship decision-support & data assimilation systems to minimise fuel use and optimise operation of wind-assisted propulsion
Led by companies operating in the relevant markets and involving others present in the value chain, the groups will be tasked with identifying market drivers and defining commercially realistic business models to exploit them.
Marine South East will facilitate engagement with relevant science base organisations in order to:
- Define state-of-the-art in key capabilities under each market topic
- Identify gaps in technology or knowledge base
- Explore possible funding channels to address technology/knowledge gaps
- Initiate development of collaborative bids
For more information contact Simon Powell on 023 80 111 592 or email simon@marinesoutheast.co.uk
Posted 2010-01-31 19:29:44
Support for Marine Renewables in the South East
EnviroBusiness is running a programme through which the South East of England Development Agency (SEEDA) is offering targeted support for companies in the marine renewables sector, to help them “create new world beating products and exploit growth in environmental markets”.
This rather grand description involves some specific assistance that would be very helpful to companies who wish to take forward their early stage wave or tidal stream energy devices. The support areas include:
- A desk-based, technical assessment, which will support a grant application and give potential investors some confidence in the viability of the device. The assessment would be conducted by experts in hydrodynamics and model testing from the independent consultancy MTMC Ltd - see http://www.solentoceanenergy.com - and the cost to the inventor is a fee of £100, with the balance being paid by EnviroBusiness
- A funding source guide which lists those programmes suitable for early stage marine device developers and the qualifications / criteria for receipt of such funding.
- Help to identify and meet suitable partners for cash investment and / or in-kind support
- Grant application support
If this programme is of interest, please contact: stephaniemerry@focus-offshore.com
One company that has reached an exciting stage in the development of renewable energy technology is Checkmate Seaenergy Ltd with its Anaconda device, a new wave energy converter that mimics the action of a sea snake. The company has very successfully taken advantage of external support, particularly from the Carbon Trust.
Having licensed the patent from its inventors and secured sole rights, Checkmate entered Anaconda into the Carbon Trust's Marine Energy Challenge, which invited submissions from companies developing new systems for harnessing wave power. All entries were evaluated by consultants with expertise in this area, and the Anaconda was seen as a very promising and potentially cost-effective solution. As a result of this, it was accepted onto the Marine Energy Accelerator (MEA) programme. The Carbon Trust's MEA aims to help reduce the cost of marine technology, bringing forward the time when it becomes commercially viable.
Further support came in the shape of the Carbon Trust Incubator, which has a track record of turning clean tech innovations into high-growth businesses. The Carbon Trust has helped Checkmate prepare a compelling business case that will help it attract the investment needed to create the first full-size prototype.
If the company secures the necessary funding, it hopes to have the first full-size Anaconda ready by 2014. The ultimate goal is to create farms of around 50 in west-facing coastal areas, such as the Hebrides and the South West Peninsular, which benefit from rougher seas and more energetic waves.
Black and Veatch has recently completed a review of Checkmate Seaenergy's test reports. These tests were no longer concerned with proof of concept as this is now considered "proven" but focused on the power performance of Anaconda leading to a more accurate prediction of the power output of the full scale device. The results of this report, expected within hours of this newsletter being published, will give interested investors a realistic and independent assessment of Anaconda's commercial prospects and will therefore aid the fundraising process.
Chairman Paul Auston said: "The UK is known for its engineering excellence and politicians from all parties have been keen to challenge companies to come up with renewable energy projects that can be sold around the world. With Anaconda we have an invention that changes conventional thinking and it can help to meet government targets for cutting CO2 by providing renewable wave energy from our coastal waters. It will also help cement the UK's world leading position in this technology."
For further information on the Carbon Trust go to http://www.carbontrust.co.uk
Posted 2010-01-31 19:14:16
South East marine apprentice wins prestigious award at the London Boat Show 2010
Local apprentice James Woolgar received the Derek Kimber Medal for 2009, from Graham Clarke, Prime Warden of The Worshipful Company of Shipwrights at the London Boat Show last month.
Prize winner James, an apprentice electrician at Berthon Boat Company based in Lymington beat off stiff competition to win the medal and secure the cash prize of £750. The award is part of the prestigious Queen's Silver Medal annual competition which is supported by the Shipwrights.
Jonathan Williams, CEO of Marine South East, said;
"Many congratulations to James on his success! This award is recognised as a sign of excellence within the marine industry and we are delighted that a South East apprentice has won in 2009. His achievement should inspire other young people to follow in his footsteps."
The Derek Kimber Medal was introduced in 1998 in memory of Derek Kimber, Prime Warden of the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights from 1986 to 87 and a leading shipbuilder in the latter half of the last century. It is awarded to a shipyard apprentice with a 'technical skill' that is chosen by the Shipwrights Company in a national competition that includes an assessment of the individuals technical ability, their development as an apprentice and their leadership qualities.
Up to 20 apprentices spend a week on a programme at an outward bound centre at Kielder in Northumberland that includes physical endurance, technical appraisal and an assessment of their interaction with peers and assessors.
James demonstrated his ability in all aspects and was recognised as an outstanding apprentice and a well deserved winner of the Derek Kimber Medal and prize, one of three medals and four prizes awarded annually by the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights to shipyard apprentices in the UK.
For more information on the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights please visit http://www.shipwrights.co.uk or contact Pat Hammerton on pat@caai.net
Posted 2010-01-31 19:34:33
An insight into Export Communications and UKTI’s 2010 programme of events for the marine sector, Tuesday 23rd February 2010 4.00-6.30pm
Venue: Portsmouth Harbour Yacht Club, Port Solent
UKTI will be partnering with Marine South East for the February 2010 MareNet event, giving an update on their marine event programme for 2010 as well as presenting a marine case study demonstrating the benefits of their international trade initiatives.
In addition, and not to be missed will be Jay Kettle-Williams, a UKTI Export Communication Review expert giving an amusing and informative presentation on export communication. It will include hints on what not to say overseas as well as tips on how to perfect your export communication in order to expand your international business.
The British Marine Federation will also be on hand to talk about a new joint course with UKTI for the benefit of marine companies looking to start exporting.
This event is equally suited to businesses thinking about starting to export as well as those wishing to increase their share of international markets.
Registration for the event will begin at 4.00pm with presentations starting at 4.30pm. The evening will conclude with a networking buffet at 6.30pm.
To register for this event please log onto http://www.marinesoutheast.co.uk/marenet . Alternatively contact admin@marinesoutheast.co.uk or call 02380 111590.
Posted 2010-01-31 19:41:36
New grant for young apprentices
The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) has recently announced up to 5,000 Apprenticeship Grants for Employers of 16 and 17 year olds (AGE 16 and 17) with a value of £2,500 to encourage employers to take on unemployed 16-17 year olds as apprentices.
Last year, despite tough labour market conditions, over 70,000 16 and 17 year olds started an Apprenticeship. Despite this there are still many more young people who want to learn whilst they are in work and we are determined to make sure that the opportunities are there for them to do so.
NAS is introducing a new Apprenticeship Grant: AGE 16 and 17, of £2,500 to enable employers to offer 5,000 new Apprenticeship places and take on an unemployed 16 or 17 year old apprentice immediately. The £2,500 grant is in addition to the costs of training which is met by the National Apprenticeship Service.
Employers being targeted are those who would not otherwise have been in a position to recruit an apprentice at this point in time or who are able to offer more Apprenticeship places than they would otherwise have done.
The scheme will particularly support small and medium sized employers who are interested in employing an apprentice for this first time, or who want to employ an additional apprentice over their traditional level of recruitment.
The scheme can support larger employers where they can demonstrate that they are overtraining to support smaller employers in their supply chain/ the wider sector or recruiting in excess of their traditional levels of apprentice recruitment.
The grant will be available immediately. The initiative is a short-term (available until the end of March 2010) measure and is available now for employers who are able to offer a job opportunity to an unemployed young person aged 16 or 17.
The payments will be administered by the National Apprenticeship Service through its approved training provider network who will manage the payments and paperwork. Employers will receive the grant in two payments - £1,500 when the young person starts their Apprenticeship and a further £1,000 after 12 weeks.
The National Apprenticeship Service will help employers to find a suitable training provider to deliver the training programme and to recruit an apprentice. Employers will be asked to sign an agreement which commits them to employing a new or additional apprentice in paid employment for the duration of the Apprenticeship training programme.
Employers will pay the apprentice at least the minimum Apprenticeship wage of £95 per week, including off the job training. If the apprentice leaves early, the employer will be asked to repay a proportion of the grant.
To apply call the National Apprenticeship Service on 08000 150 600 or visit http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk and someone from the National Apprenticeship Service will contact you to discuss the support available in more detail.
Posted 2010-01-31 19:24:59
Inngot: Unlocks the value of your innovation
Inngot is a new resource that has been designed to facilitate easier access to Open Innovation. Following its launch last year, more than 100 innovative businesses have already registered.
Open Innovation is gathering pace in many large organisations who realise they can bring new products and services to market more quickly by partnering with other companies. The whole Innovation & Growth Team (IGT) Network will be working across the SEEDA region to broker connections and collaborations between large and small businesses, helping both groups to realise their growth aspirations.
The key objective is to bring innovative ideas from IGT clients to the attention of larger corporations. To do this effectively we need to understand what makes companies special.
Inngot is the database that the Innovation and Growth Teams will be using region-wide to understand more about client company capabilities and broker connections with more established businesses. The Inngot Registration System has been set up specifically to help client businesses describe their intellectual property (IP) clearly and concisely but without giving away their trade secrets.
The Innovation and growth Team is encouraging clients to register their companies and IP, so that all staff can understand more about their capabilities and markets, and bear them in mind when talking to larger businesses across the region.
If you are a Solent IGT member, Inngot registration costs you nothing.
You will also receive a FREE six-month subscription, and FREE enquiries, so that as the database builds, you can see what other client companies across the region are developing and do your own "opportunity spotting" too.
To take advantage of this offer call Erika Cox on 01235 854085 who will provide you with your promotional code and Guide to Inngot Registration.
More information is available on the website at http://www.inngot.com
Posted 2010-01-31 19:49:42
Strengthen Your Business with the University of Kent, Wednesday 10th February 2010
Venue: Canterbury Innovation Centre, Canterbury Campus, University of Kent
The University of Kent is host to a wealth of knowledge that can provide you and your business with the solutions you seek. Opportunities are available to suit your every need, whether it is student placements, graduate recruitment or Government funded Knowledge Transfer Partnerships.
Find out exactly how you can strengthen your business and take advantages of these skills on your doorstep by taking part in this cheese and wine networking event.
To book go to http://www.kent.ac.uk/enterprise/events/index1.html or call 01227 827 376.
