Is metal an integral component of your business? If so, the University’s Advanced Metal Forming Research (AMFoR) Group could offer invaluable insights into product and process development for your company. The unique blend of research activities include: mathematical theories of plasticity; mechanical metallurgy; materials characterisation; industrial forming process optimisation and the development of novel forming processes. Building on his PhD and postdoctoral research, Dr Alan Leacock, School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, established the AMFoR Group in 2004. The Group is part of the Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Research Institute (NAMRI). Dr Leacock said: “The AMFoR Group has a scientifically founded but pragmatic approach to research in the field of metal forming. We are currently researching the development of a number of new products and processes and we are happy to discuss new projects with prospective clients.” The group currently works closely with Bombardier Aerospace Belfast, ESI-Group UK and more recently Airbus UK.

For further information please contact Dr Leacock, telephone 028 9036 6269, or email ag.leacock@ulster.ac.uk

An Oasis in Poleglass UU has been sharing its expertise with social enterprises across Northern Ireland, helping with business growth and development. Among those benefiting are Cloona Oasis, a community resource based in Poleglass, Dunmurry, which provides training, conference and catering facilities. Kerry Thompson, UU Business Liaison Officer for the Social Economy, said: “When Gerry Cappa from Cloona Oasis contacted the Business Liaison Office, his key need was help with a wooded river glen, which has the potential to be transformed into a valuable community amenity but at present attracts anti-social behaviour. Gerry sought help from the University in preparing a proposal to make best use of the land as a community resource, which will ultimately contribute to its longer term viability as a social enterprise. Gerry Cappa concluded: “The University has provided us with access to excellent support that has encompassed architecture, property management, marketing and fine art. This has made a tangible and beneficial impact on our social enterprise.”

To find out how your social enterprise could benefit from working with UU, contact Kerry Thompson, Business Liaison Officer (Social Economy), email  k.thompson@ulster.ac.uk

BIG Ideas in the East Border Region A new £310,000 programme, the Border Innovation Gateway (BIG), has been launched to help budding entrepreneurs from the east border region, including counties Armagh, Down, Louth, Monaghan and Meath. BIG concentrates on pre-incubation, i.e. the ‘ideas’ stage of starting a business. The programme is run by Greenshoots Newry Ltd, the technology and business incubator joint venture between Newry Institute and the University of Ulster and is funded by the EU’s Interreg IIIA Programme. The programme is also being delivered through Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT) and the Upper Bann Institute. Under the BIG programme, applicants with suitable innovative ideas receive mentoring and start-up training. A range of workshops and networking opportunities are also available and there is access to a dedicated space within each of the Centres. The 12 week programme will run five times until June 2008. Greenshoots Centre Manager, Kieran Fegan, said: “Our goal is to provide high-quality business support services that will help entrepreneurs and their knowledge-based ideas at the very early stages of their development.” Greenshoots Newry Ltd was officially launched on 8 May by President of Ireland, Mary McAleese.

For more information on the BIG programme contact any of the following Centres: Greenshoots (Newry) +44 (0) 28 3026 5402 Business Support Centre, UBI (Portadown) +44 (0) 28 3839 7778 Regional Development Centre, DKIT (Dundalk) +353 (0) 42 933 1161

If you have any comments on this publication, please send them to: u2b@ulster.ac.uk