Peter Grant FUSION

1. Peter Grant FUSION Presentation at EEN NI Event June 2011

2. WHAT IS FUSION? Company Improved capability Cross Border Partnership Technology and Knowledge Transfer Innovative project central to company’s needs Graduate Fast track career College Increased relevance to industry Cost effective way for your business to innovate

3. ARE ALL COMPANIES ELIGIBLE? Mainly small to medium size enterprises (SMEs) that: Have a development need within the company Demonstrate lack of capability in a specific area and could do with expertise and support from an academic Considering the recruitment of a graduate Are financially able to complete and exploit the project (normally 2 years Statutory Financial Statements required) Demonstrate commitment from senior management Have appropriate resources to participate in FUSION including staff The first step is to discuss your particular business needs and see how FUSION can help to solve some of your problems

4. HOW CAN FUSION HELP SMEs? • Typically through FUSION companies can: • Develop new products or enhance existing products to increase sales and enter new markets • Streamline processes to reduce costs, increase efficiencies and improve profitability • Develop and implement new technologies, systems or processes to improve performance • Your FUSION project does not have to be “rocket science” but we need to demonstrate it is innovative for your company and external expertise is needed

5. Very Attractive Support Package Company Costs Budget £ Budget € • Graduate employment costs (50%)* £11,000 €12,350 • Graduate training and development £1,000 €1,125 • Graduate travel and subsistence £1,000 €1,125 • Project equipment and consumables £1,000 €1,125 University/College Costs • University/College support £12,500 €14,050 • University/College travel & subsistence£2,000 €2,250 • Preparation of proposal £1,000€1,125 TOTAL £29,500 €33,150 *SME pays remaining 50% of Graduate employment costs i.e. £11k/€12.35k per annum InterTradeIreland will match company cost of £11k with £29.5k (73% grant)

6. WHAT ELSE DOES INTERTRADEIRELAND CONTRIBUTE? • Costs for the Graduate’s Postgraduate Diploma course at Smurfit School • Cost of Master Class and other support to help with FUSION application process • Costs for recruitment of the Graduate including advertising in national papers (normally Belfast Telegraph and Irish Independent) and graduate jobsites • Project management costs for experienced consultant to oversee project • Cost for provision of FUSION helpline to provide additional advice • Additional hidden support worth approx £25kon top of cash grant of £29.5k

7. MANAGEMENT TRAINING FOR GRADUATE • Postgraduate Diploma in Management Practice accredited by UCD • Delivered by The Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business, UCD • 5 (two-day) modules over 1 year combined with FUSION practical work • Modules • Strategic Management and Project Management • Management and Financial Accounting • Marketing Strategy • Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Change Management, • Human Resource Management/Organisational Behaviour • Grooms graduate for senior management positions in the future. Smurfit course helps to attract a high calibre graduate for your company.

8. SUMMARY OF BENEFITS TO COMPANIES? • Access to much wider reservoir of world-class R & D facilities in our Universities, Colleges and Research Centres across the Island of Ireland • Increased performance, capability and profit for company • Opportunity to attract and retain high calibre graduates • Become part of FUSION network / community • Opportunities for strategic alliances through FUSION • Almost 400 companies have successfully participated in FUSION since 2002 • 70% of graduates remain with host company after FUSION

9. CK International Ltd and Dundalk Institute of Technology Turnover increased by 40% with increased product range Annual profit increased by £15,000 deriving from increased sales and greater operational efficiency Production capacity doubled with construction of new factory Purchase of new capital equipment and installation of new paint shop Improved product and process quality leading to reduced warranty costs Sales expected to increase by £900k over 3 years after FUSION Recruitment of 11 new staff, including Engineering, Sales, Production and Finance Managers Graduate gained Post Graduate Diploma in Management Practice Graduate accepted position with company as Engineering Manager On average each company benefits from £1 million worth of sales or savings

10. NEXT STEPS If you would like to hear more about FUSION please get in touch and our local Consultant will follow up with a visit to your premises to: find out more about your business explain the application process for FUSION help you scope a suitable project and find the right academic partner to work with your company Spark innovation in your business with FUSION

11. Overcoming Company Concerns Innovation in high risk The FUSION package and support minimises this risk Collaborative Innovation is long term Regular closing dates for FUSION applications and quick turnaround time to approval means we work at your pace Application forms can take up valuable company time Onus is put on academic partner to fill in application form Low success rate with applications 80% of applications are approved Who owns the Intellectual Property Rights? IP belongs to the company with FUSION Innovate or Evaporate

12. Contact Details • Fusion Administrator: • Angie Corr Tel: 028 3026 0700 • Email: a.corr@helixireland.com • THANK YOU