Strategic partnerships and alliances
Composites UK are always keen to form strategic partnerships with companies and other associations where a relationship is beneficial to member companies. If you would like to talk to us further about forming a partnership please contact us.
European Composites Industry Association (EuCIA)
The Association of the European Composites Industry, representing European National composite Associations as well as industry specific Sector Groups, such as those targeting particular product groups or processes. With the support of its Members EuCIA is promoting a good trading environment in an innovative and growing European composites industry.
As voted for by our members, Composites UK joined EuCIA in May 2018. The main reasons for this are outlined below:
- In view of Brexit, being part of EuCIA will be an important ‘political’ statement that we remain part of Europe, and are taking action to facilitate working with other Europeans. Leaving the EU does not mean leaving Europe.
- EuCIA organises a 1-day annual meeting with the Commission (October) – as members we will take part in this and influence policy. Composites UK members could also attend/present.
- EuCIA have done some very useful work on LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) which is relevant to what we are aiming to do in collaboration with other nations.
- CEN and CENELEC (covering standards) are not part of the European Commission, so our representation there through BSI’s membership will remain the same. However, there will be times when we need representation at the EC for regulatory issues. An important example of this is the Environmental Footprint activity developing PEFCRs (product environmental footprint category rules.) and lobbying against citation of European Standards that are detrimental to composites (e.g. EN124 Manhole covers) EuCIA membership would give us the platform to continue to influence these.
- EuCIA is recognised by the Commission as the industry voice in development of the Eurocodes.
GTMA is a UK-based trade association representing companies in precision engineering, rapid product development, tool-making, tooling technologies, metrology and other critical manufacturing related products and services. It focusses major market sector opportunities, from aerospace and automotive to medical and marine.
Its work with OEMs and Tier 1s has seen initiatives to raise standards in its membership base, which is now seen as a valuable resource for buyers building manufacturing supply chains.
Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN)
The Knowledge Transfer Network helps businesses get the best out of creativity, ideas and the latest discoveries, to strengthen the UK economy and improve people’s lives. KTN is a network partner of Innovate UK.
KTN links new ideas and opportunities with expertise, markets and finance through their network of businesses, universities, funders and investors. Composites UK works closely with the KTN Manufacturing team, with the Composites specialists, and with the end-sector teams.
Make UK – The Manufacturer’s Association
To strengthen the service offered by Composites UK to our members we have Affiliate Partnership of Make UK (The Manufacturers’ Association).
The affiliate partner programme has been established to bring together UK membership organisations who operate within the manufacturing, engineering and wider industrial sector. The aim is that, by working together, we are better placed to both deliver a stronger industrial sector for the UK and provide valuable benefits for member companies.
Through our Make UK Affiliate Partnership, Composites UK members are entitled to sign up free of charge as an Make UK Affiliate Member, giving them access to:
- Make UK information and insight
- Make UK Member Advantages programme
- Preferential rates on Make UK training courses, events and publications.
- And more…
If you are a Composites UK member and haven’t already signed up for FREE affiliate membership of Make UK please email the office: info@compositesuk.co.uk
National Composites Centre (NCC)
The National Composites Centre was established to support the deliverables of the UK Composites Strategy, ensuring that UK companies and academic institutions were brought together to develop new composite materials, technologies and processes. It is part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult HVMC.
Composites UK and the NCC work together to:
- Ensure the delivery of complementary products and support to meet industry needs – in particular for the SME sector
- Be a virtual and physical organisation connected to and meeting the composites needs of UK industry
- Provide a connected and collaborative vehicle for wider partnership and collaboration
- Inform and service Composites sector leadership
This results in shared industry intelligence; collective newsletter, events and trade promotion; and a ‘one-stop’ composites enquiry point.
Industry benefits from this increasingly coordinated approach, which facilitates industry partnering in areas such as collaborative technology development and shared training and skills development programmes including Apprenticeships.