Brockhouse Group Ltd has entered into 30-month Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Aston University to develop sustainable manufacturing processes to drive competitiveness in the energy conservation and renewable sectors. The partnership will improve the energy efficiency of forging by reducing energy usage, and capturing and reusing waste heat.

The project will look at how Brockhouse can improve its operational performance and energy efficiency through reduced usage of gas and utilising waste heat to generate electricity. A KTP is a three-way collaboration between a business, an academic partner, and a highly qualified researcher, known as a KTP associate.

Brockhouse, based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands, designs and manufactures professional forgings in carbon, high alloy and stainless steel for leading companies across the world.  This KTP will enable Brockhouse to attract new customers in energy conservation and renewable sectors by developing sustainable manufacturing processes.

The Aston University team will be led by Dr Muhammed Imran and Dr Nunes. Dr Muhammed Imran, senior lecturer in mechanical and design engineering, is a leading researcher in low-temperature and waste heat to power conversion technologies, thermal energy systems and energy efficiency. Dr Nunes, senior lecturer in sustainable operations management, whose research is primarily focused on strategic aspects of making organisations more sustainable through the operations function (i.e. production capabilities), will lead the management side of the project.

Commenting on the project, Dr Imran said: “This is an exciting opportunity to utilise the expertise Dr Nunes and I have in energy efficiency and sustainable operations strategy respectively.  We are delighted to support Brockhouse to develop markets in the emerging energy conservation and renewable sectors, many of which are important for reducing carbon emissions”.

Stephen Walters, director of Brockhouse Group Limited, said: “We’ve had some early success with supplying more sustainable businesses, with orders for the industrial Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) sector. Using our technical skills in forging and Aston University’s knowledge of operational and energy efficiency, we’re excited to acquire the skills needed to achieve our sustainable growth ambitions.”