A NORTH Yorkshire pork pie producer has tripled its normal output in the run-up to Christmas.

Vale of Mowbray’s Leeming Bar factory this week upped its normal weekly production from one million to three million to meet the extra Christmas demand.

It was a case of all hands on deck, including Liberty Horner, a post-graduate student, who has helped introduce changes through the firm’s Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Teesside University.

The 23-year-old from Stockton is the company’s first graduate trainee and has now been given a full-time job as company product improvement co-ordinator.

She has already helped save £100,000 through cutting waste and is now working on a further £100,000 worth of savings through other projects.

KTPs are governmentbacked.

They encourage companies to employ a post-graduate student and gain direct access to university scientists and other expertise to improve their businesses.

Academics benefit from putting theory in to practice, and graduates benefit by getting a foot on the career ladder while studying up to master’s level or beyond and receive training and financial support.

As in Miss Horner’s case, they are often offered a permanent contract when the two-year KTP comes to an end.

Sheree Walker, company production manager, recommends the KTP scheme to any business needing help and advice .

She said: “Liberty’s already saved us a small fortune by changing the way we dispose of waste packaging of raw materials such as flour.”

Miss Horner has worked closely with her university supervisor, Dr Liam O’Hare, a biochemist and food scientist, while working towards her Master of Research in Science (MRes) degree – concentrating on pastry science.

John Gatenby, Vale of Mowbray managing director, said: “We are always striving to make the perfect pie and achieve greater consistency from one pie to the next.

“Having access to the wide range of resources at the university has been an enormous help and we wish to continue working with Teesside in the future.

“Liberty has been a great addition to the team. She’s got a really creative approach and is always looking for ways we can improve the business.”

Details of Teesside University’s KTP schemes are available from Emma Detchon on 01642- 384036 or email ktp@tees.ac.uk.