A graduate from De Montfort University (DMU) in Leicester is helping one of the UK's largest manufacturers of acoustic movable walls to establish a new department for the design and manufacture of bespoke products.

Nick Rowan, who graduated in 2009 with a first class BSc (Hons) degree in Industrial Design, has been employed by Nüsing Manufacturing (UK) Ltd in Loughborough as a product development engineer through DMU's Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Scheme.

Nüsing Manufacturing, which makes acoustic movable walls and partitions for buildings, employs more than 40 people at its base in Kernan Drive, Loughborough, and is the largest manufacturer of its kind in the UK. The company's manufacturing and development director David Bolton met Nick Rowan at an evening computer design course where he learnt about KTPs and took the idea back to the company.  

The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Scheme is a part government-funded programme which encourages organisations to improve competitiveness, productivity and performance by employing a recent graduate to undertake a specific project.

Nick is working with David Bolton on a two year project to assist Nüsing's design department on the design and manufacture of its own bespoke products. In addition, the project involves Nick working with the design team on new product development for emerging markets.

Since starting the project Nick has tailored his skills specifically by completing a certificate in competence in environmental noise measurement, starting a diploma in acoustics and noise control and he is working towards a master's degree in design optimisation. He is also a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) ambassador to encourage other young people to enter those fields of study and work.

Nick said: "We are just months into the project and we are already seeing some successes. We have installed a new computer aided design (CAD) package to design and complete a new range of partition products which should be available to order by the end of September."

Commenting on the KTP, John Aldred, Nüsing Manufacturing's managing director, said: "We are market leaders in the manufacture and supply of high quality wall partitions for sports stadia, commercial institutions, schools, colleges and leading hotel chains. The KTP with Nick and DMU is allowing us to incorporate the latest design technology and skills into the company to expand our product range and enter new markets."

Nick Rowan is being supported and mentored by DMU academic, Dr Guy Bingham, senior lecturer in Product and Interior Design in the Faculty of Art & Design, for the duration of his KTP.

Dr Bingham added: "KTP projects are a great opportunity for universities to disseminate new techniques and practices into a live business context for the mutual benefit of all concerned. The Nüsing KTP project is progressing exceptionally well and is testament to what can be achieved when SME's and universities work together."

KTPs are funded by the Technology Strategy Board along with the other government funding organisations.