GEMS (General Engineering Maintenance Services) offer a specialised engineering service, offering fabrication and installation of utility and processed systems, ranging from small factory repair to major installation. With orders requesting bespoke meat tables – commissioned fabrications GEMS need to develop a new product development (NPD) of an automated Hyde pulling device for the meat processing market through 3D computer aided design software.
The main barrier facing GEMS is the lack of CAD skills in house, preventing the design of the hype pulling design and the need to progress from hand drawn sketches to using visually sleek designs on CAD software, positioning GEMS as a modern engineering practice.
GEMS was seeking a knowledge provider, which will enable them to train staff on specific aspects of CAD necessary to develop the new product development of the hype puller, which will in turn, enable them to cater for the specific market and to successfully launch their NPD to the market.
GEMS got in touch with the North West Regional College (NWRC) to enquire about support The Business Support Centre (BSC) were able to offer 45 hours of support, through the Innovate US programme funded by Department for the Economy (DfE), equating to one to one mentoring support from David McDaid, Co-ordinator in Product Design to help realise this new product.
Two of GEMS staff members, Stephen Quigg and Ciaran Henry, who both participated in the programme, received targeted upskilling. This involved learning the technical elements of 2D and 3D CAD package, the product in order to create impact.
The result of the project equipped GEMS with the technical knowledge, skill and ability to use CAD effectively to produce a Hyde Puller 3D CAD Design. To date they have successfully launched their new product to the market witnessing a 5% increase in profit as a result.
In addition, they have recruited an additional member of staff and are discussing HLAs and a welding academy with NWRC as well as Skills Focus programme, also offered through the BSC to continue to develop and enhance in-house skill levels.
