Mechanical engineers are a key part of Reflex Marine’s accomplishments and three of the department have recently gained professional accreditation with the Institute of Mechanical Engineers. CEO Mr Philip Strong, CEng since 1992, encourages professional development for all staff and was enthusiastic about this collaboration with the IMechE.
“Validating engineering capabilities reinforces our objective to improve industry safety standards,”
CEO Mr Philip Strong, CEng
The engineers were supported by IMechE’s Business Development Manager Alan King as they followed the CBR scheme (company based registration). The engineers motivated and inspired one another as they completed the process as a team. Alan King first visited the engineers at their Bristol office to review membership options and offer advice. This was particularly helpful as it highlighted the different paths to gaining professional recognition and dispelled any myths around joining requirements.
Pictured left to right: Andrew Grimes, Alan King, Alex Smith and Paul Onions at the Reflex Marine Bristol Office
The engineers were at different stages in their careers; Andrew, BEng Product Design Engineering, graduated University of Glasgow pre 2000 and so was able to draw on his professional work history in his application. He and Paul, MEng University of Durham, both applied for CEng status. Alex, BSc Mechanical Design and Manufacture University of Plymouth, still at an earlier stage in his career, applied for Incorporated Engineer status.
The application form requires demonstration of personal and professional competences, mapping skills against the IMechE framework. Paul Onions, Engineer Manager, has accomplished numerous professional achievements; most recently he’s focused on production control and the development of control documents for Reflex Marine’s product range.
As a senior member of the New Product Development team at Reflex Marine, Andrew Grimes provides technical and commercial leadership; recently he’s organised data collection and subsequent testing for technical quality control, as well as introducing essential milestone reviews. A combination of knowledge, understanding, skills and values, the application form also prompted the engineers to look to their future goals.
To date, Alex Smith has implemented key design solutions and improved the quality of drawings in line with technical product specifications, BS8888. He is now keen to continue his career development and work towards gaining CEng membership.
The engineers carrying out testing on the FROG-XT crane transfer device at a testing facility in Aberdeen.
The whole IMechE application process took approximately eight months to complete.
“The collaborative process has developed our team. We are grateful for the support we have received and are proud to be part of the Institute that supports sustaining engineering standards and continuous professional development.”
Paul Onions, Head Engineer
Sharing the vision 'to improve the world through engineering' with IMechE, Reflex Marine is passionate about its engineers being part of the largest global network of mechanical engineers. The opportunity to collaborate with members of its community, sharing knowledge and skills, is invaluable and essential in order to improve engineering competencies. Reflex Marine, and its engineers, strive to contribute to the preservation of life by designing safe, quality products.