W&G Baird is partnering with Queen’s University Belfast through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) to develop an AI-enabled platform that will improve customer engagement and streamline print workflows from enquiry through to production.

The KTP programme is a structured collaboration that places a dedicated Associate within a business, supported by university expertise, to apply research and new technology to a defined commercial challenge.

Tackling a Practical Business Challenge

W&G Baird’s challenge is to turn AI, data analytics and workflow automation into practical improvements across sales, customer service and production. The project will focus on reducing manual steps, speeding up estimating and order processing, improving production planning, and making the business easier for customers to discover and work with.

Why the Project Matters Now

With more than 160 years of print and manufacturing experience, W&G Baird has deep operational expertise. As the industry evolves and customer needs become more complex, the company sees an opportunity to combine that experience with emerging technology to become more responsive and efficient.

The KTP goes beyond a standalone technology solution. The KTP Associate will work within W&G Baird to embed new tools and processes while building the internal skills needed to continue innovating after the project ends.

What the AI-Enabled Platform Will Enable

The platform will focus on practical improvements across the customer and production journey, including ways to:

• improve how customers discover and engage with W&G Baird;
• streamline ordering, job specification and proofing;
• speed up estimating and order processing;
• improve production scheduling and planning; and
• automate repetitive workflow and administration.

Anticipated Impact

For W&G Baird, the project is expected to improve efficiency, planning and long-term innovation capability. Customers should benefit from a simpler, more responsive experience and smoother progression of work through production. For the wider print and manufacturing sector, the project could provide a practical example of how AI, data analytics and academic research can address real operational challenges in an established manufacturing environment.

KTP is funded by Innovate UK and Invest NI.  Find out more about KTP