Teescraft Engineering: Exploring new markets

 

Teescraft Engineering Ltd, a specialist engineering business for the automotive industry requested assistance from NETintel to support their diversification into the renewable energy market, specifically the development of micro wind turbines.

 

The question: What is the size of the micro wind turbine market for homes and businesses?

 

Our approach: The team explored underlying demand factors for the micro wind turbine market, beginning by reviewing existing off the shelf research reports.  Further, the team took a strategic approach by identifying possible routes to market and macro issues affecting drivers of demand by talking to a carefully selected range of experts in the renewable energy market.

 

The result: The enquiry response has given Teescraft Engineering a greater understanding of the micro wind turbine market and the issues affecting their strategic direction.  The intelligence we supplied provided a sound basis for building marketing strategy.

 

Teescraft have continued to use the NETintel service. Most recently for a patent search which was valuable for two reasons: analysing competitor activity in the field and understanding what aspects of the technology could be patented.

 

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EOL Logistics: Cleared for take off

 

EOL logistics is the result of former pilot Kevin O'Hare's commitment to better environmental solutions for 'End of Life' aircraft. The company combines aviation knowledge with regional engineering skills and recycling technologies with the aim to bring value to redundant aircraft.

 

The question: What strategic partnerships are available to help launch and develop the capacity of my company?

 

Our approach: Having already consulted experts at Teesside University and identified leading skills in the re-use or recycling of polymers, we systematically consulted experts in a wide range of materials and issues. These included aviation engineers, scrap metal dealers, carbon fibre specialists, plastic recycling and various companies involved in the re-use or recycling of interiors.

 

A range of partners were identified based on expertise in relevant technologies, information from Centres of Excellence and recommendations from within the industry.

 

The result: The details provided will allow EOL Logistics to reach the market more quickly and offer a full range of 'End of Life' solutions to the aviation industry, making them genuinely unique.

 

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FS design Ltd

 

FS design Ltd, a product design and development company, required information to help support a pitch to 3M for a respirator mask product.

 

The question: Identify the main competitors of 3M respirator products, the types of mask manufactured and the market sectors they are used in.

 

Our approach: The team identified the industries in which respirator masks are widely used and then systematically consulted industry trade magazines, retailers and manufacturing industry experts to identify the main competitors.  An analysis of competitor respirator mask products was then conducted establishing the range of masks offered, typical features and market sectors, including relevant product images.

 

The result: The enquiry response gave FS design Ltd a greater understanding of the respirator mask market.  This information provided greater depth and support to their pitch, demonstrating a more informed product concept and a stronger proposition.

 

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deBurca

 

A successful regional software development and integration business requested information to support business growth plans for a new product development.

 

The question: Which organisations, Business Angel networks and Venture Capitalists in the UK have funds available over the next 6 months and have a track record of investment in ICT companies?

 

Our approach

The team contacted Fund Managers, Corporate Finance Advisors and Consultants involved in innovation finance and gathered intelligence on recent active investors.  Further, contact was made with relevant national venture investment agencies. All of those identified by experts were then contacted to ensure that the recommended funds were indeed active.

 

The result

deBurca was presented with details of 16 organisations with relevant recent investment history in the sector, as well as details of recent investment (nature, scale) and named points of contact. It was further recommended that they seek.

 

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KBO Dynamics

 

An NStar investee and new NETPark member requested support in defining priority market opportunities for a new microchip component with OEM applications in the audio sector.

 

The question: What benefits and features are best to include in our product?

 

Our approach

The team explored underlying demand factors for this type of component by reviewing existing research reports and exploring competitive technology. They evaluated comparative offerings by talking to a carefully selected range of experts in the audio technology market, to unearth the factors that would give KBO Dynamics a unique proposition and best chance of sustainable success in this mature market.

 

The result

The project achieved investment as a result of evident strong demand and the team have worked with the client further to define detailed sales propositions, define channel supply terms and arrange appointments globally with major potential customers.

 

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