Innovate UK funds Brompton’s bike production optimisation project

Brompton has been on the receiving end of a grant from Innovate UK to help optimise its bicycle production efforts at its Greenford site, via the development and demonstration of industrial-grade robotic and automation solutions.

CIN has previously delved into the world of Industry 4.0 and how the bicycle industry is using the philosophy in production lines to optimise processes.

Brompton will be involved in the BROM-BOT project, involving creating a ‘Robot Sandpit/Playground’ in Greenford and leveraging EKC’s robotic learning factory in Canterbury to test integration across several operations in areas such as ‘body shop,’ ‘paint,’ and ‘assembly.’ The goal is to identify operations and upskill its current workforce with the potential to significantly enhance productivity, quality, scale, safety, and sustainability, presumably with a degree of automation.

This comes as Brompton has just launched its first ever 12-speed bikes – using its own internally designed derailleur to achieve a wider range of gearing across their lines. Innovate UK provides funding to support investment in developing business-led innovation covering both products and processes. This is part of UKRI’s Made Smarter Innovation (MSI) Challenge, delivered by Innovate UK. The challenge has awarded grants to 11 late-stage robotics and automation projects with a focus on developing solutions to improve productivity, sustainability, and resilience within factory production areas.

Leading the project internally will be Alexander Kimber, Engineering Project Manager, alongside input from Riddhi Karambelkar, Head of Manufacturing Engineering. There are also several other key partners who are contributing to the project, each of whom were identified as a key leader in their field. They are:

• ABB – A world leading technology solutions supplier who have recently supported Brompton in delivering new robot welding cells. 
• GEMA – A paint specialist, who Brompton have a long standing relationship with. 
• East Kent Colleges Group – A collection of community based colleges in the south east of England. 
• HSSMI – A sustainable manufacturing consultancy, who have worked with Brompton on their manufacturing strategy, building requirements and aspects of modelling processes.

This project will run until January 2025, and work has already begun to identify key areas within which to innovate.

Phill Elston, Operations Director at Brompton Bicycle said: “Brompton and Innovate UK has always held a strong and positive relationship. This new funding will enable the team to drive forward an array of exciting technology projects, ultimately meaning that Brompton can continue to be a leader of innovation in the urban mobility industry,”

Riddhi Karambelkar, Head of Manufacturing Engineering at Brompton Bicycle said: ”On behalf of Brompton Bicycle, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Innovate UK and our esteemed project partners, ABB, HSSMI, GEMA, and EKC, for their unwavering collaboration and dedication. Together, we’ve secured vital grant funding, propelling us towards our manufacturing aspirations with renewed vigour and purpose.”