Eriez recently showcased its successful Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Cardiff University at the KTP@50 event, held on March 20, 2025, at the historic Pierhead Building in Cardiff Bay. This milestone event celebrated 50 years of KTPs, a program designed to foster collaboration between businesses and academic institutions to drive innovation and industry advancements.

A highlight of the event was Eriez’ Enhanced Knowledge Transfer Partnership (eKTP) with Cardiff University, which played a crucial role in the development of advanced signal processing and electronic design for metal detection technology. This partnership directly contributed to the June 2024 launch of the Eriez digital MetAlarm metal detector, now manufactured in Bedwas, Wales, and distributed worldwide.

The success of this initiative has significantly bolstered Eriez’ research and development (R&D) capabilities. What began with a single researcher at the company’s Bedwas site has evolved into a dedicated five-person team based at Spark|Sbarc, Cardiff University’s premier innovation hub. This expansion, supported by additional KTP funding, has strengthened cross-border collaboration and fostered deeper integration between Eriez’ global teams and academic experts.

Chris Dyer, Lead R&D Electronic Engineer at Eriez-Europe and a Cardiff University alumnus, represented the company at KTP@50. Dyer, whose PhD research was rooted in the KTP, highlighted the partnership’s impact: “Our collaboration with Cardiff University has given Eriez a competitive edge in metal detection, accelerating both development and market adoption of our latest technologies.”

Beyond product innovation, Eriez has successfully secured external funding, obtaining £112k through two InnovateUK projects for AI-driven metal detection applications, with further funding applications underway. The company has also privately financed Cardiff University projects, demonstrating its long-term commitment to academic collaboration. Weekly engagement between Eriez and university researchers ensures continuous advancements in next-generation technology.

Gareth Meese, Managing Director of Eriez-Europe, emphasized the transformative effect of the partnership: “Our collaboration with Cardiff University showcases the power of KTPs in turning academic research into real-world industrial advancements. The strong market adoption of the MetAlarm highlights Eriez-Europe’s role as a dynamic, forward-thinking manufacturer and employer in South Wales while reinforcing our global leadership in metal detection technology.”

While celebrating past successes, Eriez remains focused on the future. As Dyer noted, “The breakthroughs we’ve achieved are just the beginning—we’re excited to build on this success and continue leveraging our partnership with Cardiff University to push technological boundaries even further.”