Zeroshift wins double at Bright Sparc technology awards

Citation

(2008), "Zeroshift wins double at Bright Sparc technology awards", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 80 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2008.12780fab.011

Zeroshift wins double at Bright Sparc technology awards

Article Type: Aerospace world From: Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, Volume 80, Issue 6

Leading innovation company Zeroshift has picked up two wins at the recent Bright Sparc Awards, held at Cranfield University to recognise the achievements of technology-led businesses in the region. Managing Director Bill Martin won “Entrepreneur of the Year” and the company claimed the “Bright Sparc Award 2008”, the overall award for technology-led innovation.

“We are delighted to win both awards,” says Bill Martin. “They provide independent recognition of the ground breaking solutions our engineers are delivering,” adding that the news created a real buzz at the office, as well as sending out strong, positive messages to shareholders and investors. Zeroshift has now won a total of six awards in two years, including a prestigious Society of Automotive Engineers International Technology award in Detroit in 2007.

The company’s main area of expertise is innovation in the development of power transmission and electronic control solutions across a range of industries. Its automatic gearbox technology for cars and commercial vehicles delivers improved fuel economy and provides an affordable, highly fuel efficient, zero torque interruption fully automatic transmission. Recently, Zeroshift expanded its expertise to encompass an “Intelligent Tool Control” product, an ingenious system that identifies when and by whom tools are removed from a tool cabinet. It is currently selling extremely successfully into the aerospace industry, where tools left in aircraft can be an expensive and dangerous problem that the “Intelligent Tool Control” can prevent.

The awards were organised by the Sparc Technology Network, which is managed by the Milton Keynes Enterprise Hub, and provides an opportunity for technology-focussed individuals or companies to gain first-hand knowledge from established entrepreneurs. Sponsors of the event include Cranfield University, Bedford i-lab and Business Link. Over 60 companies were entered for the awards, with 20 shortlisted as finalists. Among the judges were the vice-chancellor of the Open University and the director of the MK Enterprise Hub. Zeroshift was selected as winner of “Entrepreneur of the Year” from a shortlist of five finalists and emerged as the judges’ first choice to win the overall competition.

“There was a real community spirit at the event,” comments Martin. “We made a lot of new contacts both at the award ceremony and the Venture Capital Day the following day. It’s great to see innovation being recognised by Cranfield University, an institution that actively promotes entrepreneurial excellence.”