IOM3 News Article


DTI Supports Materials Community

Margaret Hodge, Minister for Industry and Regions at the DTI, pledged full Government support for the continuing work of Materials UK at a House of Lords reception on the evening of 4 July.

Materials UK is a unique industry based organisation across the fragmented and broadly based UK materials community. "We are set to make Britain the best place to do business in materials" commented Hodge. It is expected that Materials UK will take forward the key recommendations of the recent Materials Innovation and Growth Report, and will continue to develop the important Materials Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) launched by Lord Sainsbury earlier this year.

Recognising the important links required between the Materials and the Design community and, reflecting on the collaboration urged within the Cox report, Hodge also announced the formation of a design initiative to operate within the Materials KTN. "We need to exploit our nationšs creative skills coupled with its excellent record of scientific invention" Hodge said.

Notes for Editors:

  1. Materials UK is a partnership between industry, academia, policy stakeholders and employee organisations, and also commands a strong interest from Government departments.
  2. For more information about Materials UK, visit www.matuk.co.uk or contact Bernie Rickinson (Company Secretary) on 020 7451 7367, email Bernie.Rickinson@iom3.org or Nick Morgan on 020 7215 1563, email nick.morgan@dti.gsi.gov.uk
  3. The Materials KTN (Knowledge Transfer Network) is a partnership between business, research and technology organisations and universities to provide UK manufacturing with additional resources to compete in global markets. The Materials KTN incorporates groups related to metals, plastics, packaging, ceramics, technical textiles, composite materials, smart materials and materials for transport. Membership of the network is free.
  4. For more information about the Materials KTN visit www.materialsktn.net or contact Robert Quarshie (Operations Director) on 020 7215 1563, email materialsktn@iom3.org, or Bernie Rickinson (KTN Management Group) on 020 7451 7367, email Bernie.Rickinson@iom3.org

Date Posted: 5 July 2006

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