Wearside manufacturer to expand globally with University of Sunderland support

One of Wearside’s oldest manufacturers looking to grow operations globally is drawing on university expertise to help realise its ambitious expansion plans.

Speedings Ltd began life as a sailmaker in 1827 but has adapted its core business over the last two centuries and now produces “innovative lifesaving” personal safety products for the emergency services, supplying everything from fire and rescue ropes to anti-bacterial face masks and oxygen cylinder bags.

To meet its growth plans and the challenges of a competitive international market, the family business is strengthening its production and workforce through the University of Sunderland’s Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme, which supports business innovation.

A KTP is a three-way initiative between a company, the university and a graduate. The graduate manages the project on behalf of the company, with the university lending its expertise.

Speedings’ Management Knowledge Transfer Partnership (MKTP) is the first of its kind for the University. Two thirds of the project costs are funded through Innovate UK, an “attractive” way to support businesses with academic expertise in a value-for-money way.

Dr Derek Watson, associate professor in Cultural Management, who is the academic lead for the project, explained: “Speedings is in need of expert support to elevate the company as a clear market leader both in the UK and international market, via the integration of best practice and innovation.

“The KTP will transition this ambitious vision into reality. It will involve changing mindsets, co-ordinated employee development, developing innovative communication hubs, enhanced workflow systems, all leading to market expansion. Being awarded funding through Innovate UK at this level really is the gold standard of funding for business support.”

Speedings director, Rob Hammal, added: “We are extremely pleased to have been accepted by Innovate UK for funding on this KTP, and can’t wait to get started. Our heritage is something we are extremely proud of, and fundamental to our company values and mission.”

This will be the second time Speedings has tapped into university expertise having collaborated with the university almost 10 years ago on its Retractable Breathing Apparatus personal line.

The life-saving device attaches to a firefighter’s harness or belt of their breathing apparatus set, hooked to a point of safety as they enter a building which feeds the cord out and is retractable like a dog lead.

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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