Engineering their Way to the Top

Ultraframe, the designer & manufacturer of conservatory roofing systems has announced the addition of four new members to the company’s Research and Development team. Margaret Vass, Craig Smith, Graham Beveridge and Tom Cornthwaite have all recently joined Ultraframe to help to develop and enhance the product offering.

Over twenty staff with many years experience work in the R&D team, headed up by Andrew Thomson, Design & Development Director. Speaking about the recent appointments, Andrew commented: ‘Here at Ultraframe the ethos of the company has always been, and continues to be, about innovation and pushing the boundaries of conservatory design and structural performance. The R&D team boasts many long-serving and highly experienced members of staff but we also feel it is important to bring in fresh minds with new ideas to assist with the creative process. All four new designers come from highly respected academic establishments and are already proving to be a valuable addition to our team.’

Craig Smith graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2007 with a Masters Degree in Product Design Engineering and won an Award prize for his 5th year project from the Royal Society of Arts, Manufacturers & Commerce in early 2007. Craig commented: ‘I decided to join Ultraframe as the company showed great enthusiasm towards investing in Research & Development, as well as being keen to develop new ideas from a fresh perspective. I'm really pleased to be part of the new intake of graduates at Ultraframe and look forward to gaining valuable experience here.’

Margaret Vass joined Ultraframe following her graduation from the University of Glasgow and the Glasgow School of Arts, where she studied for five years and achieved a Masters in Product Design Engineering. On her appointment Margaret said: ‘This is my first role following my graduation and I was attracted to Ultraframe's commitment to innovation and project work.’

Each year Ultraframe works with students from Clitheroe Royal Grammar School on the Engineering Education Scheme, helping students who are interested in a career in Design or R&D, setting them a challenge and allowing them to gain experience of engineering in industry - one recent example is the creation of a smoking shelter, using waste polycarbonate. Tom Cornthwaite is another recent addition to the Ultraframe R&D Team whose first involvement with the company was through the Engineering Education Scheme. This inspired Tom to pursue his interest and he went on to study Product Design at Northumbria University, graduating in 2007.

Commenting on his new role, Tom said: ‘This is a fantastic opportunity for me to start my career with a market leading brand that is industry acknowledged as being technically superior. When you have a mentor like Andrew Thomson (formerly of Dyson) you know exciting projects and products are inevitable. It's also great for me personally, to return to the very company that really inspired me to study Product Design, as a full-time member of staff.’

Graham Beveridge is the fourth graduate and hails from the University of Glasgow with a Masters degree in Product Design Engineering. Clearly relishing the opportunity to help shape the future of the conservatory industry, Graham commented: ‘This is a fantastic way to start my career, Ultraframe has a long history of innovation and product design, and have remained at the top of the conservatory industry for many years.’

Web: http://www.ultraframe.co.uk