1. Dianne Dundas 26.09.2013

5. Innovative project central to company’s needs WHATISFUSION? WHAT IS FUSION?Company Improved capability College Increased relevance to industry Graduate Fast track career Cross Border Partnership Technology and Knowledge Transfer Partnership with benefits for all Innovative project central to company’s needs College Increased relevance to industry Graduate Fast track career Company Improved capability WHATISFUSION? WHAT IS FUSION? Cross Border Partnership Technology and Knowledge Transfer Partnership with benefits for all

6. The range of services offered include the following: Consultancy Process design & assessment Process troubleshooting Analytical services Co-development partnerships Education & training For further information call at the stand in the exhibition area of the Bridging Borders Event or visit www.qub.ac.uk/pprc Dr Nicholas Dunne Email: n.dunne@qub.ac.uk QUB Polymer Processing Research Centre Research in various aspects of polymers, including their processing, has been carried out in the School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at Queen’s University Belfast for over 25 years during which time substantial investment has been made in establishing and maintaining state of the art processing and analytical facilities. In addition to undertaking industrially relevant research and development into new polymeric materials and processes, the Centre has a central supporting role to much of the more strategic and longer term polymer research undertaken in the Advanced Materials & Processing Research Cluster at Queen’s University. Led by Dr Nicholas Dunne, Director of the Advanced Materials & Processing Research Cluster, the Centre has an extensive suite of material processing and characterisation equipment managed and run by a strong team of specialised and highly experienced engineers combining a variety of functions from working directly with industry on commercially relevant problems to training research staff, students and industrial personnel. From brainstorming new ideas for projects to developing entire new processes right through extensive pilot plant trials before ultimately implementing these new developments into full scale production plants, PPRC works side by side with industrial and academic partners from across the world in the development of new processes and innovative products and provides input to the implementation of new technologies.

7. Applied Polymer Technologies (APT) Athlone Institute of Technology  Pilot and Production scale Injection Moulding, Blow Moulding, Thermoforming, Extrusion and Compounding Lines  Advanced Analytical Facilities for materials research, testing and troubleshooting.  Design, Rapid Prototyping and Micro- Moulding Capabilities www.technologygateway.ie

8. The Irish Centre for Composites (Icomp), University of Limerick  Resourced by highly qualified scientists and engineers.  Carry out world class composite research in innovation and technology transfer.  Comprehensive suite of modern equipment and facilities for composite materials research. www.icomp.ie

9. Abcon Industrial Products and PPRC, QUB  Turnover increased by 15% during the project as a result of increased sales and efficiency savings.  An average increase in turnover of 38% per annum projected over the next 3 years.  Established a new Quality Assurance department with 2 dedicated staff.  Established a new Rubber Lining Project.  Graduate gained Postgraduate Diploma in Management Practice.  Graduate accepted position with company as a Product Engineer.  2 additional jobs created. On average each company benefits from £1 million worth of sales or savings

11. How Can FUSION Help SMEs? Typically Through FUSION Companies Can:  Develop new innovative products  Enhance existing products  Streamline production processes  Introduce product design capability  Integrate IT systems  Improve environmental performance

12. Company Costs Budget £Budget €  Graduate employment costs (50%)* £16,500€19,500  Graduate training and development £1,500 €1,800  Expenses (graduate travel, equipment) £3,000 €3,600 University/College Costs  University/College support £18,750€22,500  University/College travel & subsistence £3,000 €3,600  Preparation of proposal £1,500 €1,800 TOTAL £44,250€52,800 * SME pays remaining 50% of Graduate employment costs i.e. £16.5k/€19.5k over 18 mths InterTradeIreland will match company cost of £16.5k/€19.5k with £44.25k/€52.8k (73% grant) Very Attractive Support Package (Example below is for 18 month Project)

13. What Else Does InterTradeIreland Contribute?  Cost of Masterclass and other support to help with FUSION application process  Project management costs for experienced consultant to oversee project  Cost for provision of FUSION helpline to provide additional advice  Costs for the Graduate’s Postgraduate Diploma course at QUB  Costs for recruitment of the Graduate on all of the leading graduate job websites in Ireland and NI. Additional hidden support worth approx £25k/€30k on top of cash grant of £44.25k/€52.8k

14. Management Training for Graduates  Postgraduate Diploma in Business and Management  Delivered and accredited by the William J Clinton Leadership Institute in QUB  5 modules over 1 year combined with FUSION practical work  Modules  Strategic Management  Financial Management  Marketing  New Venture Creation and Entrepreneurial Management  Performance and HR Management/Organisational Behaviour  Grooms graduate for senior management positions in the future. Management course helps to attract a high calibre graduate for your company

15. Foot In the Door Campaign

16.  Access to much wider reservoir of world-class R&D facilities in our Universities, Colleges and Research Centres across the Island of Ireland.  Increased performance, capability and profit for company  Opportunity to attract and retain high calibre graduates  Become part of FUSION network/community  Opportunities for strategic alliances through FUSION Over 400 companies have successfully participated in FUSION since 2002 Over 70% of graduates remain with host company after FUSION.

17. Next Steps If you would like to hear more about FUSION please get in touch and our local consultant will follow up with a visit to your premises to: Find out more about your business Explain the application process for FUSION Help you scope a suitable project and Find the right academic partner to work with your company Spark innovation in your business with FUSION

18. Overcoming Company Concerns Innovation is high risk The FUSION package and support minimises this risk Collaborative Innovation is long term Regular closing dates for FUSION applications and quick turnaround time to approval means we work at your pace Application forms can take up valuable company time Onus is put on academic partner to fill in application form Low success rate with applications Over 80% of applications are approved

19. Why Innovate? Government support for companies that innovate Innovation distinguishes between leader and follower Innovation is not just about developing new novel products Innovation can be radical or incremental Innovation can be new to the world or new to you

21. Dianne Dundas Tel: 028 3083 4191 E: dianne.dundas@intertradeireland.com

22. Any Questions?