TRIDAN ENGINEERING
a forward-thinking approach that is equally reflected by Ricardo’s graduate programme.
Operating an accredited scheme, the group provides young and talented graduates with the opportunities to hone their skills, bolster their experience and broaden their knowledge in a hands-on environment, whilst also helping to bring in new ideas and thought processes throughout the business, including the Performance Products division.
“As a leading employer of engineering, scientific and other professional skills, we focus our efforts on investing in the future by working with young people via our local schools and colleges,” explains Starkey. “STEM is our focus.
“Examples of this include our award- winning work experience programme, where 40 students were each provided with work experience opportunities in the year, supporting a number of events for local schools in our Shoreham-based Centenary Innovation Centre.”
Partner perfection
Combined with these extensive investments, proactive approach and innovative culture is Performance Products’ own robust network of esteemed suppliers, a network that is crucial to its own success.
Much like its own philosophies, many of the company’s business partners remain flexible, something that is integral within the niche volume environment.
“Over many years Ricardo Performance Products has worked hard to establish a leading approved supplier list that not only has the technical pedigree to support such levels of complexity but also, in many cases, has an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the demands that exist in our particular industry,” explains Starkey.
Engineering, established in 1968, is an efficient organisation approved to AS9100, ISO 14001 and an approved supplier to major organisations throughout the UK, Europe, and USA.
We supply to all sectors from aerospace and defence to motorsport, using the latest 5-axis, horizontal and sliding head machining centres, providing standards of quality and service which, we believe, can only be matched by a few companies in the field.
Our latest machining centre is a Mazak i-500 with a 6-pallet system, giving us a total of six 5-axis machining centres. 01255 424937 info@tridan.co.uk
www.tridan.co.uk
“We take great pride in our key partnerships built within our supply chain, and the ever-expanding in-house supplier quality function continues to work hand in hand with our partners to identify, investigate and implement efficiency and productivity gains that benefit all parties.”
More recently, the firm has dramatically sought to expand the geographical reach of this supplier network to bolster its capacity, evident in the number of partnerships that it has agreed with companies in the Far East who are able to better cater to its growing niche volume programmes.
Striving for a sustainable supply chain that is able to meet both immediate quality and delivery targets and offer strategic guidance on design and manufacturing process in this way, often leveraging the latest technologies, Ricardo’s supplier partners play a fundamental role in maintaining its continued success.
“The key relationships that have been developed over a number of years consistently prove to provide us with the ability to meet all aspects of our clients’ requirements whilst maintaining a continuous improvement mentality throughout the value stream,” Starkey adds.
Establishing electrification
All things combined, Ricardo Performance Products has been able to successfully establish an esteemed reputation, differentiating itself by consistently delivering some of the most advanced powertrain products for some of the world’s most impressive vehicle models.
Achieving this to the highest quality standards whilst working in what is typically a very different volume sector is a hallmark of Ricardo Performance Products and something that Starkey is particularly proud of.
“Almost any challenge is met and addressed by our staff, a team consisting of a multitude of different specialists with experience in manufacturing in low volume,” he explains. “This team is supported by a well-developed and proven global supply chain that is equally experienced in this niche.
“Ultimately these elements work together to successfully deliver programmes in timescales that few competitors could achieve.”
Based on this proven model, Starkey remains optimistic about the coming years as the firm aims to diversify into new sectors and bolster its existing capabilities.
He concludes: “I expect the next five years to be dominated by a continued drive into electrification and would expect Performance Products to successfully established its niche volume, high performance battery manufacturing capabilities to match its current engine and transmission capabilities.”