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Held at the NEC, the awards showcase the companies who have worked with universities and innovation programmes to develop new products or processes.
By bringing together the wealth of excellent research and development work produced by Universities and diverse business enterprises, the awards seek to generate increased competitiveness, knowledge, support, growth and economic prosperity for the region.
The awards dinner featured a record number of entries across four categories and this year sports cars, wrinkle-relaxant and anti rust spray guns ruled the roost.
The Enterprising Spirit Award was won by Rachel Westwood, Managing Director of Wolverhampton-based Skin Scientists Ltd.
The 27-year-old set up Skin Scientists early last year to launch the Manceuticals brand which effectively mimics the actions of botox injections.
The brand aims to address the growing demand for male cosmeceuticals – skincare products that bridge the gap between plastic surgery and cosmetics in a market worth an estimated £1 billion.
Based at Wolverhampton Science Park, Rachel received support from several Advantage West Midlands-funded schemes – including Innovation Networks and Business Link West Midlands – to bring the product to market.
The first product in the range, the Manceuticals wrinkle relaxant gel, is already on sale in Harley Street and in outlets across the world.
Rachel Westwood, MD of Skin Scientists, said: “Winning a Lord Stafford Award in only my second year is a real surprise.
“We have some really ambitious plans to expand both our sales and our range of products and winning the Lord Stafford Awards will have a major boost for our profile.”
“The support programmes have been absolutely fantastic in helping us to get up and running and this award is also a recognition of their efforts.”
The Impact through Innovation Award was won by Metallisation Ltd, based in Pear Tree Lane, Dudley.
Founded in 1922, the company produces flame spray equipment for anti-corrosion applications and exports more than two-thirds of its produce overseas.
Around 5,000 of the units produced by Metallisation are in use around the world at any one time, particularly in countries with extreme weather conditions where metal will rust faster.
Typical uses for their products include spraying protective coatings for turbines and structural steelwork, such as bridges, which prevent corrosion and significantly increase the lifespan of materials.
Working with Aston University, the company has developed a pioneering spray gun known as the High Velocity Oxy-Fuel system, the Met Jet 4.
The system sprays materials through the combustion of oxygen and kerosene in a chamber which produces a high speed stream of hot gas at about two kilometres per second into which coating material in powder form is introduced.
Managing Director Dr Terry Lester said: “As a company we have to innovate to keep our position in the international market.
“The Lord Stafford Award is recognition of these efforts and we’re delighted to be showing that innovation is alive and thriving in the heart of the Black Country.”
The Achievement in Innovation Award was scooped by Morgan Motor Company.
The Malvern-based outfit which currently manufacturers 175 Aero 8 and 475 Classic 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 £3 million of new sales and boosting the development of future models.
The initial success enjoyed by Morgan on the first KTP has led to further projects, which have secured £500,000 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.
Steve Morris, Operations Director, said: “We’ve enjoyed so many benefits from working with the tic and this is a relationship we’re looking to move forward with even more projects.
“The accolade is testament to the hard work of everyone at the company and, importantly, shows what can be achieved when business and academia work together.”
And the Knowledge Transfer Champion Award was won by Rob Harris, Principal Lecturer at the University of Wolverhampton.
His outstanding work in helping companies develop new technologies for commercial applications was singled out by the high profile judging panel, not to mention a wider commitment to developing international development programmes and a new MSc Business Enterprise Award.
The Wolverhampton-based ‘champion’ also worked on developing closer links with SMEs in Bilbao, and laying the early foundations for a web-based Business Enterprise Network.
Rob said: “I was genuinely surprised and delighted to have picked up the Knowledge Transfer Champion Award as it demonstrates how important it is for academia and business to work together in this competitive environment.
“It is testament to the hard work of everybody at the university and, importantly, the companies we continue to work with, who have the potential to shape the way the world develops.
Lord Stafford, Patron of the Awards, said: "The Lord Stafford awards exist to showcase the excellent work that is going on in businesses and Universities to innovate and develop new products and processes.
"Having an idea is one thing, but making it happen and make money from it is another.
"Each of the winners has, in their own way, shown true excellence and are worthy Lord Stafford Award winners.”
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