Pictured above: (l-r) Andrew Stephinson, managing director
of FTI Communications, with David Rowe, director of the University
of Warwick Science Park
A communication systems company is sending out all the right
signals after landing two top national awards.
FTI Communication Systems, based at the University of Warwick
Science Park's Venture Centre, in Sir William Lyons Road, has been
recognised as a leading light in the communications market after
securing a prestigious KTP (Knowledge Transfer Partnership) award
and CASE (Collaborative Awards in Science and Engineering).
The two awards are UK-wide and recognise the firm's commitment
to developing technology and talent in the communications field,
while at the same time offering the company additional financial
and technical support to continue this trend.
Both the KTP and CASE awards will see the company form close
links with the University of Warwick while selected post graduate
students from the institution work alongside the company to help
the business develop over the next three years.
The company specialises in the field of fibre optic
communications and has expertise in airport communication
technology where it produces products used in air traffic control
systems such as radar, control towers and Instrumentation Landing
Systems, both in the UK and abroad. Birmingham Airport is one of
many UK airports using FTI equipment.
A strong emphasis is placed on developing the safety and
reliability aspects of the company's systems and this area is set
to be developed further in both existing and future products during
the coming years. FTI is currently working to establish
communications standards for new airport control towers.
Andrew Stephinson, managing director of FTI Communications,
said: "It is fantastic to receive this kind of recognition on a
national level and we are looking forward to working closely with
the University of Warwick over the coming years.
"These programmes are mutually beneficial as they allow us to
develop our business while also providing up and coming talent in
the industry the chance to develop their skills.
"We place a major emphasis on the reliability of our products as
safety is paramount - particularly in the field of aviation - and
these programmes will allow us to further enhance the high quality
of our systems."
The company was established in 1984 and has been based at the
University of Warwick Science Park's Venture Centre since 1994.
The programmes could lead to the development of new products and
open up new markets allowing the business to expand its current
workforce of eight people.
Other areas in which safety is paramount are set to be targeted
by FTI including nuclear power, rail travel and the process
industries.
David Rowe, director of the University of Warwick Science Park,
said: "We are delighted to see FTI Communications become the latest
in a string of companies based here at the Venture Centre to gain
recognition for its innovative work.
"FTI's technology cutting-edge and we are delighted that it is
being developed here at the University of Warwick Science Park.
"These awards emphasise the quality of the exciting plans FTI
Communications have for the future and we are looking forward to
supporting them every step of the way."