Insider Media Limited

A network of 18 West Midlands manufacturing companies led by West Bromwich-based Malthouse Engineering Group has been nominated for a prestigious innovation award.

The Advanced Business Development Network (ABDN), which was set up to improve competitiveness between small and medium sized businesses, has been shortlisted in the Open Collaboration category in the Lord Stafford Awards for Innovation.

The group has introduced a new IT system to enable members to work together, which has led to £200,000 of new business. The system was developed by a graduate from the University of Wolverhampton through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership.

Roy Taylor, managing director of Malthouse Engineering, said: “The ultimate aim was to get a membership group of manufacturing companies to be able to work together and get contracts that we’d otherwise be unable to deliver.

“Although Malthouse is the lead member, all of the members are benefiting from the work of Mark Hayward from the University of Wolverhampton whose expertise we get through the Knowledge Transfer Partnership.

“Mark has been able to help us to enhance our online advertising campaigns and develop our website usage to increase enquiries for the group.

“This has already brought in over £200,000 of work for the ABDN and we have also, through Mark’s expertise, been able to access students and equipment at the University of Wolverhampton.”

The companies involved in the ABDN are: Rojac Urethane (Wednesbury), Mouldrite, Undergrear, Malthouse Engineering Group (all West Bromwich), Midland Deburr, R & M Metals (Lye), MSP, Astra Engineering Pressings, Baylis Automotive, Cordelle Precision, Frederick Cooper, Matco, Momentum Engineering (all Birmingham), Concept Mouldings, Crown Plastic Mouldings (both Wolverhampton), Phoenix Tavinor (Tamwoth), Remploy Automotive (Stoke) and Lazgill Engineering (Surrey).

The winners of the Lord Stafford awards will be announced on Thursday 18 November.