Tinsley Bridge Group receives award for innovation
Innovate UK has granted a funding award to Sheffield-based Tinsley Bridge Group through their innovation based Smart programme.
The Smart programme provides grant assistance to R&D projects in strategically important areas of science, engineering and technology, from which successful new products, processes and services could emerge.
The Tinsley Bridge project will focus on developing technically innovative suspension components for customers in the automotive, rail and defence industries – a sector in which the Group enjoys a reputation for innovation and technical strength.
Tinsley Bridge has recently launched several new products using a new high performance steel, Extralite – a technology which has been widely recognised by industry innovation and manufacturing awards.
Responding to Innovate UK’s decision, Mark Webber (Managing Director, Tinsley Bridge) commented, “The need for innovation in our sector has not reduced – in fact, given the economic situation, it is greater than ever. Innovation is a key enabler of growth, and this is central to Sheffield retaining a sustainable manufacturing capability. The Smart programme will help us develop the competitive advantage in our products to a new level.”
As part of the Smart project, Tinsley Bridge has teamed up with Sheffield Hallam University’s Materials and Engineering Research Institute. MERI is a dynamic interdisciplinary research institute dedicated to addressing industrial problems through the application of fundamental science and engineering.
Mark continued: “MERI have a highly successful track record applying cutting edge research to find innovative solutions to industry problems, and we will benefit from their experienced team and world leading research facilities. This award will allow us to get new products to market more quickly, and accelerate the pace of innovation in the future. We strongly believe that stimulating technology-enabled innovation offers the greatest scope for boosting UK jobs and productivity.”
