Visit the Parker Hannifin Electromechanical Automation web site

Silver star for jewellery project

A Technology Innovation Centre product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Sep 3, 2003

A technology transfer programme run by the tic for Birmingham jewellery company R Platnauer has received the highest award from the TCS Grading Panel.

A technology transfer programme known as a Teaching Company Scheme (TCS), run by UCE's Technology Innovation Centre (the tic) for Birmingham jewellery company R Platnauer, has received the highest award from the TCS Grading Panel.

A TCS programme operates as a catalyst for the transformation of both culture and technology, often in traditional businesses.

The 3-year, award-winning, scheme with Birmingham-based Platnauer, one of the main partners in the nationwide Silver Project, has seen three tic graduates successfully complete TCS work programmes.

In conjunction with a UCE School of Jewellery graduate, they have achieved a multidisciplinary transfer of technologies.

The TCS Award for Excellence recognises both its success and significance.

Paul Platnauer, Chairman of R Platnauer, says: "Our partnership with the tic over the last few years has enabled our business to take a quantum leap in technology and we are expanding with some vigour once again".

The tic-managed Silver Project has had the effect of transforming design and production methods for numerous UK companies making silver-based products.

Many are on show both at International Jewellery London (IJL) until 3rd September 2003, at Earls Court, and at the tic, Millennium Point, Birmingham (until 10th September 2003).

R Platnauer saw significant market shifts in the 1990s because of the strong pound, exacerbated by increased competition from low-cost-base countries.

In a new strategy Platnauer moved its focus from volume jewellery to the provision of customised services - design, manufacture, packaging and marketing - to major national clients.

This resulted in the company moving from high-volume, low-margin products into markets for moderate volumes with higher values and margins.

In parallel with the change in business focus came significant steps to improve productivity.

The 3-year tic-managed TCS programme enabled computer aided design, computer aided manufacture (CAD/CAM) to be introduced, together with lean manufacturing process improvements.

These brought about both quality and delivery improvements whilst reducing manufacturing costs.

An affordable IT strategy injected the advantages of ICTs (integrated communication technologies) throughout the company.

Investments in new telephony, computer networks and management information systems helped to improve purchasing, materials control and other financially sensitive areas.

Many of the company's staff received training in ICTs and lean manufacturing.

The success of the first 3-year TCS scheme at Platnauer brought about the TCS Excellence Award.

A second TCS - now known as KTP (Knowledge Transfer Partnership) - is planned between the tic and Platnauer, to advance further the company's computer-aided production planning and management systems.