Parafix

Parafix Tapes and Conversions is a £10m converter and distributor of self-adhesive materials, based in Lancing, West Sussex. The company employs 135 people and has factories in the UK and Hungary.

Managing Director Mike Punter has worked with the University of Brighton on two collaboration programmes to increase productivity and efficiency in international marketing.

Learn more about KTPs

Reducing waste: Knowledge Transfer Partnership

After doing a SWOT analysis of Parafix, Mike looked at the strengths and weaknesses of the business.

The company had strong staff retention rates and high-quality manufacturing processes but Mike wanted the company to develop further by bringing in expertise from a university and began a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with the university.

The first KTP Parafix undertook with the University of Brighton focused on driving out waste and improving their process flow. The biggest element of waste the company had was that valuable time was being spent by people wandering about looking for materials.

The KTP Associate analysed where all the materials and products needed to be positioned in the factory to help reduce the company’s footprint and streamline production processes.

A new marketing plan: Knowledge Transfer Partnership

Parafix continued to manufacture and sell products to hundreds of clients worldwide, but did not have a clear view of where they wanted to be as a business or how they were going to get there.

They then embarked on a second Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with the University of Brighton which aimed to produce a five-year marketing plan.

They took on a graduate, Louise Vincent, from the university’s business school, who quickly analysed Parafix's consumer markets.

She also identified which markets were the most profitable for the business, and what Parafix’s clients thought about the company.

The KTP project also received specialist academic input from a senior academic at the university who helped guide the project.

Mike said:

"As a result of the KTP we now really understand our customers’ needs, know which markets we want to focus on, and where the high-growth potential lies."

Mike Punter, Managing Director, Parafix.

Parafix have backed the conclusions of the analysis of the findings of the marketing KTP project and are now looking at the healthcare, automotive, electronics and lighting sectors.

As a result of her work on the KTP project, Louise is now a full-time employee at Parafix and she is implementing the new marketing plan.

The company have also upgraded their communications materials, built a new website and designed an interactive brochure.

These measures have led to an improvement in the recognition of the Parafix brand.

Louise Vincent, KTP Associate.

A continuing partnership

Going forward, Mike is focusing on giving opportunities to younger people, having hired several new employees under the age of 25.

He plans to continue building a two-way relationship with the University of Brighton, stating the importance of being able to access university expertise.

Mike said:

"You never know what sort of expertise you are going to need next. It is really useful to have that university community to ask."

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Mike Punter, Managing Director of Parafix Tapes and Conversions in Lancing, talks about how Knowledge Transfer Partnerships with the University of Brighton have helped his business.