Cressall student shortlisted for national award.
Chris Haigh reaches finals of Shell STEP scheme thanks to money saving work at Leicester based resistor firm

A student on work placement at Cressall Resistors has reached the finals of the prestigious national Shell STEP award scheme for his work at the firm. The student, Chris Haigh, developed standard operating procedures (SOPs) for a number of shop floor projects, including one which has resulted in a £500K contract being retained.

Shell STEP places talented students, who can be studying for any type of degree, with host businesses to develop and progress a key project within their organisation. Placements can happen during the summer holidays, at other holiday periods or on a part time basis during term time. The awards scheme is judged on a local basis first, then regionally and finally nationally; with the overall winner chosen on October 21 at an awards ceremony in London.

Chris has recently completed a degree in Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Warwick and is now studying for a master’s degree in Project Management. Born in Thurmaston, Leicester, he hopes to become a management consultant or project manager within a manufacturing business. Chris won his local area final last month, when pitted against thirty other students, and was one of two runners-up in his regional final.

Chris produced SOPs for a range of machines and processes, all with objective of improving quality and ease of training. It is believed that the work he did has saved £6,400 per month, in addition to the retention of the £500K contract.

Furthermore, he has developed spreadsheets that have helped reduce stock levels of some key components by 45%, improving the use of space in the factory and helping avoid cash flow issues. Finally, Chris developed an video based SOP for Telema SpA, Cressall Resistor’s Italian parent company, meaning that they are now able to use a machine that had previously been dormant.

“Cressall was the first the company that interviewed me as part of the Shell STEP programme,” said Chris. “I was particularly interested in the lean manufacturing element of what they do there. I think the placement has helped me massively. I was intrigued to work for a company in the manufacturing sector because that’s where my educational background is. But, everything I have done during my degree has been theory based and I was surprised how far away from real life the theory was. I have also picked up other things that you only find out about from experience, such as time management and professionalism.”

“We’re all really pleased Chris has done so well,” enthused Peter Duncan, Managing Director of Cressall Resistors. “I think it’s testament to his character and potential that he could do such a lot for us in such a short time. We all wish him every success in his chosen career.”

For further information contact: Peter Duncan,
Cressall Resistors, Evington Valley Road, Leicester, LE5 5LZ
Telephone: +44 (0) 1945 464696
Fax: +44 (0) 116 2737911
e-mail: peter.duncan@cressall.com

Press enquiries: Richard Stone
Stone Junction, 24A Waldram Park Road,
Forest Hill, London, SE23 2PN
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8699 7743
e-mail: richards@stonejunction.co.uk
www: http://www.stonejunction.co.uk/

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Cressall Resistors Ltd, Evington Valley Road, Leicester, LE5 5LZ U.K. Tel: (+44) (0)116 273 3633