FKI graduates

• travel to the USA, Canada, Europe and China
• work on a variety of projects
• become chartered engineers
• undertake an MBA.
  

Name: Philip Morton
Age: 24
Job title: Lean Manufacturing Manager
University: University of Sheffield
Degree: MEng Mechanical Engineering – 1st

Before joining FKI in 2004, I had worked during the summer holidays on the Watford Miniature Railway as daily operating manager. I also undertook a summer placement at the Building Research Establishment, Fire Research & Test department, testing smoke alarms to the BS standard.

While on the Graduate Training Programme I undertook four projects:

• Strategic sourcing, within the switchgear industry, which gave me experience in analysing and negotiating. 
• In Froude Hofmann, Germany, I worked on a project to standardise the tendering formats across the FH Group, while also having the opportunity to live and work in Europe and become fluent in a new language.
• I worked in the Product Development department for FKI Logistex, in Kentucky, USA, which gave me the opportunity to directly apply some of the learning from my degree.
• My final placement was with Brush Traction working on their lean manufacturing programme, which gave me the skills and some experience to go on to become Lean Manufacturing Manager with Brush Electrical Machines upon finishing the scheme.

I now run the lean manufacturing programme for Brush Electrical Machines. This involves a lot of time working with people and change management, implementing new operating principals and working practices into the business. I work in all areas and levels of the business, from the shop floor to director level.

For the future, the lean programme has some aggressive targets to meet and I must manage the resources carefully to meet those. Next year I will start an MBA with FKI.