East Midlands Knowledge Network: Routes To University Expertise

 

Hambleside Danelaw

Product Design

Hambleside Danelaw
Description and aims

In 2004, Hambleside Danelaw Ltd identified a gap in the market they wished to exploit, namely an in-plane rooflight to suit standing seam cladding and roofing systems. This particular system was becoming increasingly popular due to its ability to offer greater flexibility to architects in designing curved roofs, for example, rather than traditionally pitched roofs. Furthermore, the company’s market research revealed that none its competitors were offering these systems as part of their product range.

About Hambleside Danelaw

Hambleside Danelaw is a manufacturing group established in 1975, which specialises in the production of roofing products and is based at three sites in the UK: Daventry, Inverness and Portsmouth.

The organisation is a member of the Hambleside group, itself established in 1970, which has business interests in the USA, Africa and Europe. The Group as a whole is diverse with associated printing and publishing organisations in Nigeria. Other business interests in the UK include marketing support through the supply of business promotional gift items on a national and international basis and the procurement of printing materials and consumables.

How the project is being undertaken

The project was undertaken via a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP)

Impacts and benefits

A major achievement of this KTP was that the project delivered far more in its breadth and scope than was originally proposed. The novel rooflight was developed and completed within the KTP with predicted annual sales of £250,000. Given the success of this, the company identified that a larger, more ambitious project could also be managed during the KTP, which aimed to look at the provision of temporary shelter living units for Third-World countries and disaster-struck areas. Having had previous experience in constructing single-storey accommodation units in Nigeria some 25 years ago, the company used this KTP to build upon their knowledge of building materials and GRP dwellings.

  • Company is now able to fully exploit its in-house knowledge and capability through the implementation of an embedded new product development methodology.
  • New CAD Drawing facility has improved the company’s competitive offering
  • New range of marketing material and re-branding introduced
  • Company’s knowledge of rooflight systems has increased through extensive testing on the standing seam project

The project that focused on temporary shelter has allowed the company to access new areas of influence, enter a new market and help those less fortunate. The company’s profile and reputation has been raised through its efforts in lobbying Parliament for tax incentives for the inclusion of more energy efficient building materials, and its exposure to aid agencies and environmental organisations. This in turn benefits the company’s specification activities when dealing with architects, developers, Local Authorities and Corporate Bodies.

For more information about the project

If you would like to hear more about this project, please contact Claire Bensusam, Business Development Officer at The Knowledge Exchange.
Telephone: 01604 893300
Email: claire.bensusam@northampton.ac.uk

University

The University Of Northampton

Academic Lead

Mr Randle Turner, Head of Design and Dr Mark Wilkinson, Associate Dean, School of the Arts, University of Derby

Contact

Claire Bensusam

01604 893300