Skip to main content

Business round-up

Business news from across the University of Wolverhampton.

Misfuelling device hits the market

An invention to prevent motorists putting the wrong kind of fuel in their cars has been developed by the University of Wolverhampton.
 
The University’s Caparo Innovation Centre partnered with inventor Martin White to develop the design and patent the rights for the device.
 
The Caparo RightFuel device prevents motorists putting petrol in diesel cars. It is being taken to market by Caparo Vehicle Products, who have licensed the rights to the invention from the University and gone on to prepare the device for mass production.
 
It was initially sold to fleet vehicle operators and hire car companies, who suffer huge financial losses from the misfuelling problem, but individuals will also be able to buy it from September.
 
Misfuelling mainly occurs when drivers of diesel cars accidentally fill up with petrol, as the nozzle from a diesel fuel pump is larger than a petrol one.

University increasing economic contribution

The University provided businesses with consultancy, skills development and research worth £25.6 million in the last year.
 
The Higher Education – Business and Community Interaction Survey shows universities and colleges’ contributions to the economy have grown to record levels.
 
Wolverhampton showed an increase of more than 10% from the previous year.
 
Professor Gerald Bennett, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research and External Development, said the University was committed to developing innovative initiatives to drive forward the region’s economy.

Success for Goodwill Trophy Company

A West Midlands company has seen a £250,000 increase in sales following a successful placement scheme with the University.
 
Goodwill Trophy Company worked with the School of Art & Design on a two-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), which allows companies to benefit from the skills of recent high-quality graduates.
 
The company is a supplier of trophies and giftware and now has an in-house design function which is helping the company to establish its own identity. The graduate involved was Helen Jackson, who completed a BA (Hons) in Creative Product Design and Marketing prior to taking up the post.
 
Managing Director, James Goodwin, said: “The KTP has opened a world of potential manufacturing and communication techniques, which has helped us to gain a strong identity within our market.”

e-Innovation Centre reaches milestone

The e-Innovation Centre (e-IC) at the University’s Telford Campus has completed its 100th project.
 
The £7 million e-IC provides state-of-the-art office accommodation and business support for new and established companies within the Telford and wider West Midlands region.
 
A tenant, 7video Ltd, was the 100th business to take advantage of the e-IC team’s services.
 
Director of 7video Ltd, Peter Sims, says: “The e-Innovation Centre’s assistance has proved invaluable to us.
 
“The Centre itself provides us with the business environment and facilities perfectly suited to our needs.”