SERC Innovation Support Brings Success to Local Businesses

Two Northern Ireland companies have been describing how working with South Eastern Regional College (SERC) through the InnovateUs programme has helped their business and had an impact on the local economy.  

InnovateUs is a skills development programme, funded by the Department for the Economy and delivered across Northern Ireland by the six FE colleges. The programme is designed to support small businesses, with bespoke training and expert mentoring.  

At a recent celebration event at Stormont, staff from companies involved joined SERC training consultants to talk about the benefits of the programme.  

Carryduff-based David Murphy Towing Brackets Ltd specialises in the manufacture of trailers, tow bars, and roof racks. Before they engaged with SERC and the InnovateUs programme, the company relied entirely on manual processes and internal knowledge for product development.  Manager Patrick Tohill says the training SERC delivered in CAD (Computer Aided Design) has transformed their manufacturing activity: 

“SERC Industrial Training Consultants Ryan Graham and James Robinson delivered one-to-one mentoring in Autodesk Fusion 360. As a result, the business now has a complete CAD catalogue of our trailer and roof rack components, and we can now outsource laser cutting, streamline production processes, and significantly improve accuracy and consistency. 

“This has not only enhanced our existing manufacturing capability, but also paved the way for future product development and innovation -  crucial in order to stay competitive in a changing market.” 

Irvine Engineering, based in Dromara, manufactures agricultural attachments such as bale lifters, toppers, and wheelbarrow-friendly skips. They decided that linking with SERC through the InnovateUs programme was the best way of improving their design and prototyping workflow.  

Working with SERC, the company transitioned to full 3D CAD modelling using Autodesk Fusion 360. This new capability has enabled faster  prototyping; CE marking of products (to show compliance with European standards); and the launch of new designs that previously would not have been possible.  

The firm’s owner, David Irvine, says, 

“Importantly, the mentoring has given us confidence at Irvine Engineering to invest in a CNC plasma cutter, which will allow us to bring more of our manufacturing in-house and also to offer plasma cutting services to other local businesses. The investment marks a major step forward in the company’s growth and we are really glad we turned to InnovateUs to help us take actions to secure long-term growth." 

Any businesses interested in InnovateUs support should direct their inquiries to David Moore, Business Development Manager:  dmoore@serc.ac.uk 

In the picture (l-r):Ryan Graham, SERC Industrial Training Consultant; Patrick Tohill, Manager at David Murphy Towing Brackets Ltd; and James Robinson, SERC Industrial Training Consultant at the InnovateUs celebration at Stormont.