105720Tractair construction equipment brake systems 2019 (TCEBS )ClosedStudyInnovate UKTractAir Limited is a highly innovative company focused on the design of airbrakes for special applications. The company was established in 1985 to design, build and install pneumatic and hydraulic brake systems for agricultural tractor manufacturers, dealers and end users. Over the years, TractAir has diversified and, being design led, has designed systems for other applications including dockyards, railways, land trains, airports, off road vehicles, military, MOD, construction plant and equipment. Today, the company achieves sales of around £4m, employing a staff of 32. Export already accounts for 95% of turnover, with sales to manufacturers of tractors, trailers, as well as through international agricultural machinery distributors and agents. The development project being considered is to design and develop to prototype stage an entirely new braking concept for construction machines that hither-to have not had the ability to tow trailers. These machines would become more cost effective having the ability to haul a trailer and also load and empty it using only one driver and haulage vehicle, instead of the present arrangement of one construction machine and another haulage machine to move the trailer. In order to capitalise on this opportunity we need to design, develop and test a series of prototypes. We need to secure robust international IP protection. We need to identify suitable suppliers of reliable components. We need to establish effective manufacturing protocols and quality control, including incorporation into our ISO9001-2008 quality processes. We also need to invest in international branding, marketing, and technical support materials. This will involve several people within the business as well as external resources. A successful development will maintain and enhance Tractair's strong, internationally competitive position and ensure the ongoing viability of the business, thereby not only protecting the current, highly skilled staff but creating further employment opportunities in an area suffering from higher than the national average unemployment, particularly amongst the under 25's.