Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Bringing advanced AI and engineering skills to a local company through KTP
This Autumn, our School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing have launched a new partnership with Leeds-based Control Station Ltd (CSL), to develop and embed advanced AI capabilities within the company and create an innovative new solution for organising large complex data sets for CSL's customers.
We met up with Gary Ryecroft, CSL's Managing Director, to find out more about the new Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project and their experience of working with LBU so far.
Can you tell us a bit about Control Station and what you do?
CSL's roots are in embedded controllers and industrial automation, where our engineering expertise has delivered reliable, high-performance control solutions across a wide range of applications. Our background blends deep technical knowledge with hands-on experience in bringing to market compliant, sustainable products and solutions.
CSL is now using these foundations to redefine its product offering. Our intelligent hardware and software platforms replace traditional systems with cloud-based monitoring and analytics integrating power management and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technology into both its embedded platforms and industrial automation solutions. This evolution marks the next chapter for CSL: delivering connected, data-driven systems that enable smarter, more sustainable operations.
Gary Ryecroft
What inspired you to explore a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP)? What specific challenges or opportunities are you hoping to address?
We have invested heavily in developing our 1-CONNECT offer, an advanced AI enabled Industrial Internet of Things solution to deliver advanced remote connectivity; however, we quickly realised that while collecting data is straightforward, turning that data into meaningful insight is the real challenge. We needed to enable unskilled users to access powerful insights without requiring any technical knowledge or experience in running data queries.
"An example of CSL's applications is standardising the design, layout, and control across loading bays, creating a consistent operating environment that enhances safety."
Why did you choose to partner with Leeds Beckett University for your KTP? What expertise or resources at the university were particularly appealing to your business?
We were provided with a list of potential universities through the KTP contact, and Leeds Beckett stood out from the very beginning. Their engagement was excellent from start to finish - proactive, clear, and genuinely supportive. They made what could have been a complex process remarkably simple, and their professionalism gave us real confidence in moving forward.
How did the collaboration with Leeds Beckett come about?
Through the introduction by the KTP programme, our first contact was via Teams, but very quickly the Leeds Beckett team suggested face-to-face meetings. This proved to be a game changer - their KTP team is well-versed, experienced, and structured perfectly to deliver successful KTP collaborations.
"This uniform approach minimises maintenance variability, reduces overall expenditure, streamlines the training process, and ensures every bay operates with the same clarity and efficiency while complying to standard procedures, driving long-term operational consistency."
Can you give us an overview of your KTP project and its goals?
Our objective is to build on the IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) platform we started developing four years ago. The IIoT platform connects industrial machinery and sensors, collects real-time data, and then analyses this data to ensure efficiency and aid decision-making . The pivotal challenge for CSL is to simplify how unskilled IT or technical personnel interact with our IIoT platform to extract meaningful insights.
To achieve this, we need to complement our in-house team with expertise in Artificial Intelligence - a skill set we currently lack. This is the cornerstone of the KTP: transferring specialist knowledge to support companies like ours in bringing new technologies and services to market that might otherwise struggle to progress.
What kind of impact do you hope the project will have on your business in the short and long term?
Once AI is embedded into our cloud services, CSL will be the first to deliver a full IIoT solution to our core market. We expect this to have a significant impact on sales growth and to open up opportunities to expand our product offering into new markets, both in the UK and globally. Beyond the commercial benefits, this innovation will also help drive operational efficiency, reduce costs, and contribute to lowering carbon emissions - supporting our customers on their journey to net zero.
What advice would you give to other businesses considering a KTP?
The KTP is designed to help businesses achieve objectives that may initially seem unattainable. Our advice is simple: don't be put off by how ambitious your goals may appear. The KTP structure is the perfect framework to overcome those barriers and turn innovation into reality.
How do you see your relationship with Leeds Beckett evolving beyond the KTP?
We see Leeds Beckett as a long-term strategic partner in developing CSL. As our business grows, we intend to leverage this relationship to create more high-skilled positions within the technology sector - contributing to both regional growth and the wider innovation ecosystem.
The Research And Enterprise Team
The Research and Enterprise Service team at Leeds Beckett University supports colleagues in a wide range of research, regional engagement, knowledge exchange, and impact activities.
