A web-based transport management system developed to span six countries on three different continents has been recognised at the annual Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Awards.
The awards recognise the successful partnerships fostered through the Technology Strategy Board’s Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) programme, which supports innovation-led, three-way partnerships between businesses, academic institutions and graduate associates.
Heriot-Watt University and Caledonian Aerotech, which specialises in recycling specialist alloys, received the Engineering Excellence Award in recognition of their KTP.
The project enabled CA to establish a global, web-based transport management system between its processing plants. The CA Logistics Management system gives ocean and road transport providers full visibility of their shipments and access to input updates on-line.
Customers can also track deliveries and acquire logistics visibility enabling them to forward plan production more effectively. The system has saved $1m in transport rates and inventory reduction over the past two years.
It is now recognised as world class in transport management provision and has contributed towards a net profit increase of more than £2 million. CA has since won a metal recycling / logistics management contract with Boeing, strongly influenced by the system.
