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Knowledge Transfer helps Morgan motor ahead
25 Nov 2007
One of world’s most traditional marques is making the most of the latest technology to improve efficiency and move into new international markets. The Morgan Motor Company, which currently manufacturers around 550 cars every year, is making the most of a series of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) with University of Central England’s ‘Technology Innovation Centre’ to add over £3m of new sales and boosting the development of future models.
This pioneering work has also taken the Malvern-based business through to the final three in the ‘Achievement through Innovation’ category of the Lord Stafford Awards. Now celebrating their tenth anniversary the awards showcase West Midlands companies that have worked with universities and innovation programmes to develop new products and processes.
Steve Morris, Operations Director at Morgan, is delighted with the progress to date:
“We are known the world over for our niche, hand-crafted sports cars and this is the reputation we want to build on. At the same time, however, the industry is becoming more competitive and, in order to retain traditional values, we need to embrace innovation and technology.”
He says that this is where Morgan decided to tap into the KTP programme, starting with the development of its Aero 8 model for the North American market.
“Using computer aided design facilities, we were able to refine seats, air bags and the drive train on the vehicle so that it conformed with legislative requirements. For a small family run company with under 200 employees, the cost of crash testing could run into the millions, but by using external expertise and guidance we were able to complete the modifications quickly and within budget.
“We now have structured systems in place that keep us abreast of new legislation and helps to shape more strategic decisions in regards to product line-up.”
The initial success enjoyed by Morgan on the 1st KTP has led to further projects, which have secured £500k cost savings through the implementation of new manufacturing techniques and a renewed focus on model introductions.
The latter, which involved a design graduate from the University of Central England, resulted in the design and production of a new four-seat car that made its debut at the 2006 Geneva Motorshow.
With the in-house capability to visualise and develop designs that comply with past and future legislation, the company also restyled the Aero 8 and is already making significant progress towards a hydrogen fuel-cell LIFECar.
Steve continued: “The aim of this DTI-funded project is to develop an emission free prototype with good performance, with our contribution being to design and build an ultra light-weight and aerodynamic vehicle that will accommodate the power source, electric motors, and control systems.
“Going forward, we have to be in a position whereby tradition blends into technology.”
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