Fishers laundry launches partnership with Strathclyde Uni
Fishers has launched a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with the University of Strathclyde to capitalise on its radio frequency identification (RFID) laundry.
Fishers fits all its Zhen bed linen and towels with RFID technology, enabling both Fishers and its customers to keep track of all textiles.
The KTP project aims to enable Fishers to:
• Capitalise on the analysis and interpretation of the data generated by its RFID-tagged bed linen and towels
• Improve Fishers' strategic planning skills around textile purchasing
• Improve its specification of bed linen and towel characteristics from suppliers
• Help the company to develop the intellectual property related to its Zhen range
The two-year project is being co-funded by a grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Scottish Funding Council. The UK's KTP programme is run by the UK's innovation agency, Innovate UK.
Dr Aylin Ates, a lecturer in strategy at the University and director of its MSc in project management and innovation, is leading the project. A University MSc advanced manufacturing technology and systems graduate will work on the project as a supply chain analyst and KTP associate on a full time basis.
Fishers' client base includes hotel chains such as Premier Inn, Travelodge and AccorHotels, as well as venues such as the Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh and the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.
Michael Jones, managing director of Fishers, said: "At Fishers, we have always looked on ourselves as part of the hospitality sector rather than simply a laundry business and we are constantly refining what we do and how we do it in order to help Scotland provide the warmest welcome it can to visitors."
Dr Ates added: "We will be bringing our expertise to apply technological innovation to assist Fishers to move towards higher value propositions. We are looking forward to seeing the successful delivery of this project over the next two years."
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