Engineer James gets recognition for work

Engineer James gets recognition for work

16 December 2020

A BALLYGOWAN firm has tasted success in two categories at this year’s annual Composites UK awards held virtually for the first time.

CCP Gransden’s James Stewart was highly commended in the trainee/apprentice of the year competition finishing in second place, with the Ballygowan firm also securing a runner-up spot in the innovation and manufacture award category for the development of a unique ‘single stage overmoulded’ aerospace panel.

Composites UK is the country’s leading trade body for the composites industry and usually the awards feature a black-tie event in the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham. Unfortunately, this year they were held remotely.

CCP Gransden says its proud to have been placed as runners-up in two awards and it was the only company nationwide to have more than one finalist.

In addition, CCP Gransden was also the only Northern Irish company to have entries reach the finals of the awards.

The Ballygowan firm has established established itself as a leading specialist manufacturer of advanced composites, with notable clients such as Thales and Jaguar Land Rover.

The company can trace its history back an impressive 125-plus years, staying in family ownership and keeping innovative engineering at its core. 

James joined CCP Gransden shortly after completing his A-Levels at Regent House, with the Ballygowan firm offering him the opportunity to upskill and gain concrete industry experience with a competitive wage through fully funding his studies at Ulster University in an engineering specific degree.

James chose to undertake the Mechatronic Engineering BEng (Hons) course and expects to graduate with a top grade. 

Despite being CCP Gransden’s youngest full-time employee, following an extensive on-the-job development programme, James has become a core member of the engineering team who is often relied upon. 

CCP Gransden’s engineering manager, Peter Quigley, said while James joined the company with limited engineering experience, he has excelled as a vital and valued member of the engineering team, driven by his fresh strong work ethic and can-do attitude.

“James has responded well to a steep learning curve, improving his knowledge of composite fabrications and assembly processes, whilst working towards a part time degree in Engineering,” he explained.

“James has fully taken ownership of his composite manufacturing engineering role, implementing and managing new company procedures for standard work, 5S and lean manufacturing and enacting these on live production programs.”

Mr Quigley added: “With his energy and attention to detail, James has transformed the manufacturing environment at CCP Gransden.”

CCP Gransden’s single stage overmoulded aerospace panel boasts several distinct benefits over current manufacturing methods used to date elsewhere in the world. 

Although narrowly missing out on first place, this innovative process is already being exploited by CCP Gransden on some of its specialist projects.