Cutting edge!

The University of Bradford is financing the scheme with £760,000 worth of help from the European Regional Development Fund and private sector assistance.

The initiative aims to boost the competitiveness of local hi-tech, manufacturing and textile firm. The department of Business Services and Regional Development co-ordinated the funding bid as part of the University of Bradford Gateway.

Business development manager Andy Duley said: "These services are designed to help West Yorkshire companies increase their competitiveness by providing access to our knowledge, expertise and facilities, and most will be offered at a subsidised cost."

SIMULA, run by the department of Electronic Imaging and Media Communications, is the largest of the three schemes, and will get £1.3m to promote innovation in the new media and digital sector.

The department of Industrial Technology's COMIT will use its £522,000 of funding to work with textile manufacturers on how to increase productivity.

Finally the Industry Support Network, with £730,000, will help manufacturers incorporate latest technologies for product and process development. It will also offer:

A helpdesk to clarify problems and identify solutions, suppliers and testing and equipment facilities

A hands on technical advice service for product and process innovation

Collaborative research & development solutions.

Bradford Chamber of Commerce policy executive Mike Cartwright said: "This sounds like a positive project that is bringing much needed help to local businesses that may have been struggling recently.''

Businesses interested in using the new services should call (01274) 236000.