The
DTI's Electronics Design team emerged as the "clear winner"
of the Project Team of the Year Award at the inaugural
European Electronics Industry Awards held in 2003.
The
team comprises a close-knit group of some 50 professionals from
government, marketing, academia, industry and electronics design,
dedicated to helping UK electronics companies improve their
profitability and competitive edge. Formed in 1999, under the
DTI's Electronics Design Programme, the team operates through
a central marketing function and a network of eight Electronics
Design Support Centres located at HEIs throughout mainland UK.
The Programme offers management seminars, an informative website,
free and independent consultancy, "hands-on" project
design support, training and signposts to UK and European sources
of government funding.
Since
its inception, the programme had helped over 5000 companies
and has demonstrated substantial added value for its users and
the UK industry.
The
EEIA judging panel were looking for "project teams from
a range of backgrounds, which demonstrated the implementation
of an innovative and ultimately successful business strategy
encompassing, if possible, development, implementation and marketing.
Judging criteria included the effective use of resources, planning
time-to-market and measurement of results."
In
awarding the ED Team, the judges commented: "There was
a clear winner in this category."
Jim
Heaton, Project Manager of the Electronics Design Programme,
collected the trophy on behalf of the team. "After a run
of five successful years, the programme is due to end in December,"
he commented. "The recognition that winning Best Project
Team of the Year has conferred on the ED team is a fitting tribute
to the consistent hard work, results and dedication that this
group has demonstrated over the years."
