Leading in challenging times – from Defence projects to protecting our pubs

As Covid-19 continues to dominate the agenda, challenging manufacturers and engineers alike, Acres Engineering’s Luke Parker was asked to contribute to an expert panel hosted by Derby University.

The topic, “Leading in Challenging Times” was an apt one, with Acres pivoting its business offering throughout the pandemic, primarily with a focus on COVID safety products.

Luke is a former student at the university, having studied there at a wide range of levels, from foundational to undergraduate and on to Masters level and was joined on the panel with experts from a range of major regional businesses, including Rolls-Royce.

In a wide ranging discussion, Luke explained how Acres has adapted to the challenges the sector faces and how the team at their Derby facility is playing its part in getting the hospitality sector up and running with their range of safety screening equipment for pubs.

In fact, the pivot has worked so well that the team have launched an online shop, to help process the large volume of orders now coming in from across the UK after they installed their safety solutions at one of Derby’s award-winning pubs, The Railway.

Now, as the dust begins to settle across the UK, Acres continues to supply these products as a specialist line, whilst elements of its business have returned to what it does best, as Luke explains;

‘I think for a lot of businesses, regardless of their sector and specialism, the last 100 days have been about adapting as best they can and finding new ways to add value. Now, as resources are stretched, we’re finding new ways to help other companies in making strategic investments to deliver winning results for themselves.

‘Our products improve how materials and sub-assemblies are handled and allow the presentation of parts in ergonomic and efficient ways. The result is a reduction in potential quality issues to parts, combined with an increased visibility, communication and value per m2 in the manufacturing facility. These outputs deliver in a reduction in process lead time and increases in profitability.’

‘Really, it all comes down to finding flexible solutions and approaches that work for everyone, whatever their challenges on resources. It has been a time of huge change for all of us but as NDI quite rightly says, “together, we can build the future of the UK defence & security industry.”

Watch the full recording here.