Aston University and Alwayse Engineering Limited KTP 24_25 R4

A traditional manufacturer will stop simply selling products and start solving its customers' problems instead. This project helps a company shift from being a parts supplier to a strategic partner. Many manufacturers struggle to make this transition because they lack the tools to understand what their customers actually need, or how to package their expertise as a service rather than a widget. The research combines business model innovation with market research to create a repeatable method for making that shift. If it succeeds, the manufacturer will offer tailored engineering solutions—for example, designing a custom motion-control system for a factory line rather than just selling bearings. That change could ripple through supply chains: customers get more efficient equipment, the manufacturer earns higher margins, and the relationship becomes harder for competitors to disrupt. The approach could also serve as a template for other small-to-medium manufacturers trying to move up the value chain. This is applied commercial research, not fundamental science. Its impact is measured in revenue growth, customer retention, and export potential rather than publications or patents.