News - Selecta recognised by CBI

VIPs from the CBI including the CBI's Chairman for the West Midlands, Grey Denham visited Selecta Systems' Great Barr extrusion plant in recognition of the combined technical liaison that had been instrumental in the development of the Advance 70 mm System. Andrew Barnett from the University of Wolverhampton, who worked with Trevor Collins during the product development stages was also in attendance.

For Selecta Systems Ltd, working alongside Andrew Barnett proved invaluable regarding product development. With the Advance 70 mm profile system, the company now has a market leading product that provides improved thermal values for the pvc-u market. This product is now considered to be at the forefront of the window industry in terms of performance levels, reliability and aesthetics.

Trevor Collins, Product Development Manager at Selecta states that it would have been exceedingly difficult to develop the Advance 70 mm system at such a pace and as such would have proven costly for a company that is in a fiercely competitive industry.

He comments, "Thanks to the team at the University of Wolverhampton we were able to work on rapid prototypes. This meant that crucial extrusion elements were evaluated before production commenced and the product was officially launched. This was of great consequence for Selecta as it helped to reposition the company and its market status."

The CBI visit enabled both Selecta Systems and the CEE to showcase their achievements. The CEE has been able to support a number of companies by providing access to the latest product design, innovation and manufacturing technology including CAD Design, Manufacturing and Tool Design.

Andrew Barnett, Centre of Engineering Excellence at the University of Wolverhampton explained how they were able to support Selecta Systems Ltd "CEE provided support to Selecta with rapid prototype of parts for the development of a new UPVC system, enabling the design to be tested. This is typical of the support we offer to companies that don't have the technology themselves and means that we can help limit investment at early product development stages. We are hoping to provide further business assistance to Selecta in the near future, looking again at new product development".

Grey Denham, Chairman of the CBI West Midlands, commented "Britain's future prosperity depends on the growth of high quality, knowledge-based industries and a strong working relationship between our universities and businesses is key to this. We need to encourage and support initiatives such as this and use this as a model for others to copy"

Left to right: Andrew Barnett (CEE/University of Wolverhampton), Trevor Collins & Jason Scrivens (Selecta Systems Ltd), Grey Denham (Chairman CBI West Midlands), Chris Clifford (Regional Director CBI West Midlands)