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Sandon Global celebrate UK innovation success at 2020 KTP Awards

We are delighted to announce on Wednesday evening the KTP awards took place where our very own Dmitry Bogachov won the ‘Future Innovator’ award for his development work on our chromium oxide coating project.

KTP’s (Knowledge Transfer Partnerships) enable innovation-focused organisations to collaborate with specialist academic teams. In its 45^th year, this years awards were a little different due to current restrictions. An online ceremony was attended using 3D avatars to act on their behalf during the event.

Mick Card from Knowledge Transfer Network commented “The Future Innovator category was more hotly contested than ever this year with a huge number of high-quality nominations. From approximately 800 KTP Associates, judges – made up of a panel of experts drawn from internal and external bodies – had a particularly difficult job in creating a shortlist and deciding on the Winners. The 8 Winners chosen have all shown exceptional skills in driving and delivering innovation strategy; technical insight; demonstrating great teamwork and outstanding leadership potential. Congratulations to them all. They are our future business, technology and innovation leaders”.

The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme, funded through Innovate UK, creates partnerships through which academic/research teams, graduates (known as KTP Associates) and companies collaborate to drive innovation.  The KTP Best of the Best Awards celebrate the most outstanding outputs of these collaborations. There were around 800 KTP Associates up for the award who are working on their projects in approximately 800 organisations throughout the United Kingdom and our project was one of 10-15 projects in 6 categories that were chosen as winners. The award was given for KTP Associates who have shown exceptional skills, above and beyond the normal expectations of a KTP Associate, in driving and delivering innovation strategy; demonstrating great teamwork and outstanding leadership potential.

When asked how Dmitry felt about the award, he replied “It is always a great pleasure when your efforts and your achievements are acknowledged by others. I would like to take the opportunity to thank my wonderful teachers from the past, to my closest people who support me daily, to all participants of this project – my incredible colleagues – from Sandon Global, the University of Manchester and KTP for providing the opportunity and environment to develop”

Sandon Global are manufacturers of new and refurbished anilox rolls, sleeves and gravure cylinders. They were founded in 2004 after noticing a gap in the market for high quality anilox supplies, combined with the latest market innovations and an unrivalled understanding of print. Based in Runcorn, Cheshire, Sandon Global’s staff have a wealth of knowledge in anilox manufacture.

A new purpose built HQ is to be opened in spring of next year supported by the Liverpool City Region Strategic Investment fund, championed by Metro City Mayor Steve Rotherham. The site will provide extra capacity and contain a state-of-the art research and development centre. Sandon Global currently employs 70 full time staff with a network of representatives across the world. The new site is expected to create up to 10 apprenticeships each year plus 30 skilled jobs over the next five years.

Managing Director Richard Millington concluded “It’s hard to believe Dmitry only joined us 2 years ago. In that time he has bridged the gap between academia and industry. He is a vital part of our team as we develop our brand way beyond a standard anilox manufacturer.”