From university partnerships to R&D funding, GJD Manufacturing’s journey shows how innovation support can help turn good ideas into real progress – with an AI project the latest chapter in the Heywood firm’s story.
Innovation grant funding
of total AI project cost covered
New highly skilled job
If you’re a business owner looking to explore new technology or develop fresh ideas, look no further than GJD Manufacturing for inspiration.
The Heywood-based company has been drawing on Greater Manchester’s innovation ecosystem for almost a decade, steadily building its capability through expert advice, partnerships and targeted funding. Now, with a new cutting-edge AI project supported by our Innovation Service, GJD is further strengthening its reputation as an innovation leader, expanding its product portfolio and setting the stage for strong commercial growth.
‘Accessing innovation expertise is a must for any SME’
Back in 2017, GJD Manufacturing’s senior management team got in touch with us and were introduced to the concept of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), a scheme that connects businesses with academic expertise. They saw straight away how this could move them forward and with our help secured a three-year collaboration with Manchester Metropolitan University, backed by a grant worth £141,750.
GJD were paired with a postgraduate-level KTP associate from the University, who worked with the team to design a long-range scanner, in a project rated ‘outstanding’ by Innovate UK. This success then led to £2,000 funding for an initiative with Manchester Met’s PrintCity that saw 3D printing applied to new product designs.
A £3,685 Small Business Recovery Grant followed, funding strategic marketing input during the pandemic. This resulted in a new business plan that meant the company not only recover but soon exceed its pre-COVID performance.
“Accessing innovation expertise is a must for any SME,” says Hussain Asif, Software Engineer at GJD (pictured, centre). “It’s opened doors we wouldn’t have found on our own and it’s provided so many positive outcomes for us over the years. Once you have that first connection with the Innovation Service, you’re kept informed of all kinds of possible opportunities. We don’t have time to spend on doing our own research about what assistance and funding is out there, so being kept informed by our contacts at GM Business Growth Hub directly is worth its weight in gold.”
The company has also benefitted from a £3,000 manufacturing grant, which paid for senior staff to attend strategic development courses, while a member of the leadership team was paired with a director from BAE Systems through our Mentoring Service, and later joined our Executive Development Programme to enhance their leadership and management capabilities.
Developing next-generation rail safety
GJD is now taking forward a new initiative thanks to innovation funding from GM Business Growth Hub of over £38,000 – creating a detection system that improves platform-edge safety in driverless train operations.
The system will detect objects falling into the gap between the platform and the train, addressing a major challenge in automated transport, where even a minor obstruction can trigger emergency stops, delays or serious incidents. By enabling highly accurate detection without the false positives caused by reflections from moving trains or environmental noise, the solution will improve safety and reduce disruption across driverless rail networks.
“It’s a really exciting step for us,” says Hussain. “The process for receiving the support was straightforward. We worked with Mark Tibbenham [GM Business Growth Hub Commercialisation Specialist] on a brief detailing our requirements, which was distributed to specialist suppliers that had the right expertise in AI algorithm development, sensor fusion, and safety-critical system testing. As a result, we’re now partnering with a Greater Manchester-based company to turn our proven proof-of-concept into a fully validated system.”
Unlocking new markets
The work will culminate in the launch of a new-to-market product in early-2026, providing GJD with a significant first-mover advantage, with strong export potential across Europe, Asia and Australia, and ensuring continuity of business with major clients whose requirements necessitate this next-generation solution.
“The commercial impact will be very significant, speeding up our entry into global driverless rail markets, which are forecast to expand rapidly over the next decade,” says Hussain. And, beyond rail, the platform’s adaptability positions GJD for expansion into perimeter security markets, driving new revenues and setting the company up for long-term sustainable growth.
The project is expected to create a new highly skilled role focused on AI and sensor integration. It will also bring valuable knowledge into the business through work with industry partners, broadening GJD’s in-house expertise and support ongoing innovation.
As the business looks ahead to future development work, it expects to draw on Greater Manchester’s innovation ecosystem again. Hussain says: “We’ve seen first-hand how valuable this kind of collaboration can be, and we’re always open to working with public and private sector innovation partners as we continue to grow.”
Contact our team today on 0161 359 3050 or at bgh@growthco.uk to find out how we can help your business, whichever sector you’re in.
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