Today my supervisor has headed off to speak to the powers that be at the company that has an interest in me doing a project with them and getting my PhD. We've been trying to get funding that would cater for me but would not hold the company into committing financially (cash wise, because they are a bit stingy when it comes to paying for students) At the moment since we are making head way with a CASE award, it seems it is impossible to avoid the company making that commitment. So my supervisors have gone down there today to speak to them.

Anyone got any experiences with tight-fisted companies or in a simialr situation?

Mine never started as a CASE award, but was an opportunity to share data and expertise, with no financial commitment (just a time commitment!). You could use that angle I suppose.

That's the angle i have been looking at it as wll, but the award requires a signed form stating that they would commit X amount of money (in cash).

Fingers crossed, it'll all turn out good.