Transicon Limited

Increasing Output and Quality Whilst Reducing Waste on a Steel Profile Crimp Machine

Transicon Limited — 15/06/2023

Here at Transicon, we've decades of experience in providing control systems within the metals industry.

Recently, a leading manufacturer of steel building system profile asked Transicon to upgrade a machine used to bend profiled sheets to form connecting corners. The machine used drives coupled to a basic text Man Machine Interface (MMI). The customer was losing significant time due to the machine malfunctioning, plus a difficult and time-consuming recovery process if the machine was ever stopped mid-operation.

The drives were obsolete, and the AC motors used for positioning did not meet our customer’s accuracy requirements. Each time tooling was changed, the machine needed to be set up for the next product using adjustment by trial-and-error, which was time consuming and wasted a lot of material as scrap.

Transicon assessed the issues and provided a new control system, which used all existing wiring and sensors for quick installation and commissioning. AC motors were replaced with Servo motors and drives coupled to backlash-free Wittenstein gearboxes, resulting in high levels of precision and repeatability. The improved control of the servo system also allowed the machine to run at increased speed, improving output. Usability of the system was greatly increased thanks to a new Siemens Safe PLC and HMI.

A recipe system was introduced, meaning the machine was automatically reconfigured for the new tooling and ready to operate without the need for trial-and-error setup, vastly reducing wasted material. The new PLC software also allowed the machine to be restarted with the push of a button from any interruption mid-operation, again reducing wasted staff-hours.

It's a great example of how upgrading controls components can improve machine accuracy and provide a more automated process, making life easier for operators and increasing profitability for our customers.

See more on our website:

https://www.transicon.co.uk/case-study/increasing-output-and-quality-whilst-reducing-waste-on-a-steel-profile-crimp-machine/

Jennifer Hughes Appointed to the Industry Advisory Board of Women in Manufacturing UK

Transicon Limited — 24/10/2024

We are pleased to announce that Jennifer Hughes, General Manager of Transicon, has been appointed to the Industry Advisory Board for the Women in Manufacturing UK (WiM UK) group for a 12-month period. This appointment recognises her leadership within the manufacturing sector and her dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion across the industry.

Supporting Diversity in Manufacturing

As a member of the advisory board, Jennifer Hughes will work closely with the WiM UK Steering Committee and industry leaders to contribute to the group’s ongoing initiatives.

The UK Women in Manufacturing group is dedicated to advancing the role of women within the sector, offering professional development, networking opportunities, and advocacy that encourage an inclusive and forward-looking industry.

A Focus on Inclusive Leadership

Commenting on her appointment, Jennifer Hughes said:

"I am honoured to join the advisory board of UK Women in Manufacturing. A diverse and inclusive workforce is essential to the growth and innovation of the manufacturing industry. As a General Manager of an SME, I understand the challenges manufacturers face in attracting and retaining diverse talent and I look forward to contributing to the board’s efforts and helping shape initiatives that encourage women to pursue and thrive in careers across the sector."

Her appointment reflects Jennifer's ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace and promoting equal opportunities across the business.

Looking to the Future

Throughout her 12-month tenure on the advisory board, Jennifer Hughes will play a key role in shaping WiM UK’s strategy and activities, while supporting the group’s mission to create a more diverse and inclusive future for the UK’s manufacturing industry.

We congratulate Jennifer on her appointment and are confident that her contributions will have a positive impact both within Transicon and across the wider industry.

For more information about our company’s initiatives in supporting diversity and inclusion, please contact us at hello@transicon.co.uk.

Transicon's Quick Wins to Improve Recruitment Featured in The Manufacturer

Transicon Limited — 25/09/2023

Following on from Jennifer Hughes' Made in Group's Virtual Breakfast Morning Best Practise presentation (which can be found at Recruitment Strategies for Diversity & Empowerment), we're thrilled that the changes we've made to our recruitment process in order to appeal to a wider range of candidates has been featured in the Jul/Aug '23 edition of the Manufacturer.

Our quick wins for increasing the appeal of your job advertisements:

• Remove gender-coded language in job postings such as ‘expert in your field’ or ‘master’ - there are free online tools to help do this
• When including a list of skills and education requirements in a job advert, add a note encouraging applicants to apply if they meet most of the requirements
• Be open about salaries and your sustainability goals and equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) strategy
• Use technology to make processes like manual handling less physically taxing

Please see a link to the full article below

Jul/Aug Issue of the Manufacturer

Find out more about Transicon here

"We Expect to Grow Revenue by £1m in Three Years” – The Power of Made in Group Membership

Transicon Limited — 02/10/2024

A Made in Group Member has achieved significant growth after being inspired by another member’s service model. This new approach has already added £500,000 in revenue, with expectations to reach £1m over the next three years.

Telford-based Transicon is a trusted provider of cutting-edge control systems and bespoke production machinery to manufacturers worldwide. Looking to explore new avenues of growth and help attract more young talent into the sector, the family-owned company joined Made in Group in early 2023. The company’s leadership was already familiar with the organisation, having collaborated previously with several member companies.

Made in Group, which encompasses Made in the Midlands and Made in Yorkshire, is one of the UK’s fastest-growing peer-to-peer membership associations, with most member companies being owner-managed SMEs.

A cornerstone of Made in Group is knowledge sharing and peer-to-peer support. Members stay informed about industry trends, emerging technologies and best practices through a robust annual calendar of virtual and in-person events. The Monthly Industry Meet-Up, for example, provides a unique platform for members to gain insights from peers facing similar challenges and learn from one another’s successes.

At one such meet-up, Jennifer Hughes, General Manager at Transicon, was inspired by fellow member Tony Sartorius of Alucast. Tony shared how offering value-added services like design simulation, prototyping, heat treatment and testing had transformed his award-winning casting business.

“We’d always offered some services but knew our customers would benefit from more. Tony’s story gave us the encouragement we needed right when we needed it,” Jennifer explains.

“In the breakout discussion following Tony’s talk, we spoke about knowing when the time was right to expand your service offerings. The only note I made simply said, ‘Get on with it!’ – so we did.”

In December 2023, Transicon launched a dedicated 24/7 service team with two expert automation engineers. The team has since grown to three, with further growth planned before the year ends. This new model has already generated £500,000 in additional revenue – nearly 10% of total turnover, with the expectation of reaching 20% within three years.

“Being available 24/7 has changed the nature of our business,” Jennifer explains. “Our new model allows customers to benefit from our expertise at all stages of their operation and we now receive more operational-level inquiries that customers would previously handle in-house. The result is already visible in both sales growth and improved customer satisfaction.”

Made in Group has created an environment where businesses of all sizes can collaborate, learn and grow together. The network thrives on fostering relationships between business leaders, enabling them to explore new methods, overcome industry-wide challenges and stay ahead of the curve.

“Being part of this network gives us the chance to hear what’s working for other businesses in the industry,” says Jennifer. “It’s not just about the presentations and factory tours – it’s the open discussions that accompany them, where members exchange real, actionable advice. That’s where the true value lies.”

“The ability to engage with people who understand your business, your sector and the unique challenges you face is incredibly valuable,” Jennifer continues. “We’re not just networking, we’re learning from each other, and that’s driving growth across the board.”

“Transicon’s journey is a great example of how Made in Group membership offers far more than just a logo on a website. It’s about building meaningful connections, gaining practical knowledge and turning inspiration into action,” says Jason Pitt, CEO of Made in Group.

“By bringing together manufacturing and engineering leaders from across the industry, we foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement and shared success. For Transicon, this has meant unlocking new revenue streams and positioning the business for continued growth.”

Jennifer concludes; “For any business looking to grow and innovate, joining Made in Group is a no-brainer. The support, insight and community are invaluable.”

For more information about Made in Group or to discuss becoming a member, please contact Ilona Pitt via ilona@madeingroup.com

Transicon launches new mechatronics division

Transicon Limited — 25/07/2024

A pioneering Shropshire firm which specialises in cutting-edge automated control systems has launched a new division as it continues to grow.

Telford-based Transicon says the launch of its new mechatronics division at a technology demonstration event held at RAF Cosford is a significant step forward for the manufacturer.

Transicon, which was set up in 1967 and is based at Queensway Business Park, has built a formidable reputation for its work manufacturing bespoke control systems incorporating AC Drives, DC Drives, Servo Drives, PLC and SCADA Systems.

Director Jennifer Hughes said the new mechatronics division would help the family-run company meet increased demand for its integrated solutions which marry mechanical engineering applications with its automated control systems.

“We are extremely excited about the possibilities which this new division will open up in a range of sectors and see it very much as the next stage of our growth,” she said.

“There is a huge market for innovative solutions which develop the latest mechatronic technology into effective and efficient solutions for industry, and that is something we are already leading the way on.

“By combining electrical, mechanical and software engineering into a single project customers can benefit from a single contractor managing the entire project.

“Our extensive knowledge of motion and process control allows Transicon to see past drive, control and software problems meaning that we can identify and solve fundamental mechanical issues.

“We launched the division at an event organised with some of our key partners, so that we could demonstrate just how our innovative turnkey project solutions can be applied to a number of industries from automotive manufacturing to food and drink processing.”

One of the partners at the Cosford event was Bosch Rexroth which has been working with Transicon to refashion the handling and stacking process at a renowned steel manufacturer.

The companies worked together to develop a state-of-the-art stacker, powered by Transicon’s Delta robots, significantly enhancing safety and efficiency in the production of cut-to-length steel profile.

“The partnership with Bosch Rexroth is a perfect example of the way our mechatronics division can create bespoke, innovative solutions which specifically address the customer’s needs, improving efficiency and safety,” said Jennifer.

A number of Bosch divisions were represented at the event, as well as industrial automation and inspection equipment manufacturer Keyence and digital solutions specialist AutoLogic Systems.

Transicon also held a special GEM80 Clinic, which gave visitors the chance to see a GEM80 PLC upgraded in a matter of moments.

Transicon works with major manufacturers and producers across the country including household names such as Muller Dairy, BMW and Tata Steel and a host of utility companies.

For more information about Transicon visit https://www.transicon.co.uk/

Caption: Jennifer Hughes with colleagues from Transicon and Bosch Rexroth at the launch

Masterclass to help SME manufacturers tackle cyber security

Transicon Limited — 22/06/2026

Midlands engineering specialist Transicon is partnering with global technology leader Siemens to offer SME manufacturers expert-led guidance on one of the most pressing challenges facing the manufacturing industry.

Transicon, which has been delivering industrial automation and control system solutions since 1967, will host a webinar on July 21 as part of its ongoing Industry Masterclass series, bringing together specialists from both companies to help smaller manufacturers get to grips with operational technology (OT) cyber security.

The session comes as the Telford-based firm faces growing demand for its expertise in upgrading legacy control systems and new data from security firm ESET reveals the scale of the threat facing UK manufacturers.

According to the ESET for Manufacturing report, 78% of UK manufacturers experienced a cybersecurity incident in the last 12 months, with 95% reporting business disruption as a result.

Three quarters experienced between one and seven days of production downtime following an incident, while over half of those affected faced financial losses exceeding £250,000 with nearly one in five reporting losses above £1 million.

Despite the scale of the risk, the same research found that only 22% of manufacturing organisations assign cybersecurity responsibility to board or executive leadership, with 55% leaving it primarily to IT teams — a gap that specialists at Transicon and Siemens say leaves many manufacturers dangerously exposed.

Niall Sephton, senior project engineer at Transicon, said the findings reflected what the company was seeing on the ground across its client base.

He said: "The figures are stark but they are not surprising to those of us working with these systems day to day. One of the biggest issues we encounter is manufacturers assuming that because their IT security is in good shape, their operational technology is covered too. It isn't. OT cyber security is a completely different discipline and the systems running production lines were never designed with cyber threats in mind.

"Many of the control systems and PLCs still operating in UK factories were installed decades ago, long before connectivity and cybersecurity were even part of the conversation. As those systems become more connected, the risks grow and often without anyone on site realising it. The good news is that there are practical, manageable steps manufacturers can take, and that is exactly what this masterclass is designed to help with."

The webinar, hosted in partnership with the Manufacturing Revenue Growth Summit, will be led by Transicon's head of business development Laura Hayton and will feature Niall alongside Marie Aylward, cyber security and networking sales specialist at Siemens, in a conversation-led session drawing on first-hand experience of the real challenges facing industry and the solutions available.

The free session is designed specifically for SME manufacturers – businesses that, as the ESET data suggests, are less likely to have dedicated cybersecurity resources and may be unclear about where to start.

It will cover the key differences between OT and IT security, where cybersecurity implementation typically falls short in real manufacturing environments and how to build a practical, phased approach to improvement without disrupting operations.

Marie Aylward, cyber security and networking sales specialist at Siemens, said: “When manufacturers think about cyber security, the instinct is often to look at technology first and what systems they have or what they might need to buy.

“But in our experience, some of the most significant vulnerabilities come down to people and processes, not just technology. Securing an OT environment properly means investing in all three, and for many SMEs that is not yet happening. This masterclass is about helping manufacturers understand the full picture and giving them a practical route forward.”

Niall added: "This isn't about scaremongering or overwhelming people with technical complexity. It is about giving manufacturers a clear, practical framework so they can assess where they are, understand their priorities and start making progress. We work with businesses of all sizes across UK manufacturing and we know that for many SMEs, this is an area where they genuinely want guidance but aren't sure where to turn.”

The webinar is free to attend and open to operations managers, engineering managers, production leaders, maintenance and controls engineers and anyone with responsibility for the security and resilience of manufacturing systems.

Registration is open now at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3n3E8nK-SA6SjpO0kpg7NQ#/registration

Transicon Achieves ISO 14001 Certification

Transicon Limited — 09/05/2023

Certification for our Environmental Management System

We’ve pleased to announce that Transicon Ltd.’s Environmental Management System has been certified by BSI to ISO 14001:2015 standard.

Like many longstanding businesses, Transicon has always tried to do the right thing from an environmental perspective, minimising waste wherever practical and aiming to have a positive impact on our local environment. With environmental issues coming under increasing focus we took the decision to have our Environmental Management System assessed to achieve the ISO 14001 standard, to show the wider community our commitment to the environment.

We’ve had ISO 9001:2015 (and it’s predecessors) certification in place since 1992, which gave us a great platform to build on. The most significant work required for the standard was measuring Transicon’s Environmental Impacts and Aspects. This was a wide ranging assessment, encompassing everything from analysing our raw materials and energy consumed through to the positive impact we have reducing customer’s CO2 footprint as a systems integrator, with software based energy reduction projects; replacing inefficient control systems with their modern energy saving equivalents and using Power Factor Correction to help lower mains electricity demand.

The assessment team at BSI were very helpful throughout the ISO assessment process, and we’ve improved some of our internal processes as a result of their analysis, particularly regarding waste management.

What we’ve achieved isn’t just a certificate to put on the wall in reception, the certification process focused the business on:

* What our most significant environmental impacts are;
* Improving our internal processes;
* How we can help our customers to reduce their energy usage; and
* Increasing employee engagement in environmental matters.

We’d encourage other SME’s to consider applying for ISO 14001 – the benefits are greater than we imagined and well worth investing precious time and business resources in.

Transicon's 24/7 Service Team Supporting Danfoss Drives

Transicon Limited — 30/07/2024

Transicon, a leading provider of industrial automation solutions, is thrilled to announce the extension of their partnership with Danfoss Drives as a service partner. Transicon has been working closely with Danfoss Drives for several years as a Drives Partner. With this extended partnership, Transicon's new 24/7 service team will now be supporting Danfoss's customers and end users with their drives.

Transicon's 24/7 service team is comprised of highly skilled and experienced engineers who are experts in all aspects of drives and control systems. Whether it's installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, or repairs, Transicon's team can support. With their knowledge of Danfoss Drives products, the team can quickly identify any issues and provide solutions to get their customers up and running again in no time. The service team are here to support, whenever you need it.

For more details on our support services, please see our website:

https://www.transicon.co.uk/services/support-contracts/

Telford Firm Expands Apprenticeship Programme Following Business Growth

Transicon Limited — 10/02/2025

A leading Shropshire automation and control systems specialist is set to expand its successful apprenticeship programme as part of ambitious growth plans for 2025.

Telford-based Transicon, which currently employs 45 staff at its Queensway Business Park headquarters, is looking to add to its existing cohort of apprentices following sustained business growth and the successful launch of its mechatronics division.

The firm currently has five apprentices, with four based at its Telford site studying electrical engineering and one completing a mechatronics engineering apprenticeship at In-comm Training.

General manager Jennifer Hughes said the expansion of the apprenticeship programme was vital to developing the next generation of skilled engineers for the business.

"We have a proud track record of developing talented engineers through our apprenticeship programme, with several of our senior team having started their careers as apprentices with us," she said.

"The launch of our mechatronics division and growth in our service and maintenance offer means we need to continue building our skilled workforce to meet increasing customer demand."

Henry Cooper, now a senior installer at Transicon, started his career as an apprentice with the firm.

He said: "The apprenticeship programme gave me the perfect foundation for my career. Being able to learn on the job while gaining qualifications meant I could develop both practical skills and technical knowledge. I'm now proud to be helping mentor the next generation of engineers coming through the programme.”

The company, which works with major manufacturers including Muller Dairy, BMW and Tata Steel, will be showcasing its apprenticeship opportunities at the In-comm Training open day later this month.

For more information about Transicon visit https://www.transicon.co.uk/

ENDS

Pic Caption: (L-R) Transicon apprentice Joseph Jones, Transicon trainee Patrycja Pokorniecka, and apprentices Matty Rogers and Quinton Mashingaidze.

Transicon modernises world-leading climate change experiment with control system expertise

Transicon Limited — 17/06/2025

Midlands-based engineering specialist Transicon has played a vital role in future-proofing one of the world’s largest climate change experiments.

The Telford-based company partnered with Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR) to develop a new control system for managing the Free-Air-Carbon dioxide Enrichment (FACE) experiment.

Led by the University of Birmingham and based in a mature oak woodland near Gnosall, Staffordshire, the experiment is designed to investigate the impact of elevated CO2 levels – similar to those predicted to be the norm by 2050 – on forest ecosystems.

It is one of only three such research facilities to exist worldwide and is supporting researchers globally to understand how forests respond to environmental change.

Jennifer Hughes, general manager for Transicon, said the project demonstrated the versatility of its automation and control engineering expertise beyond its traditional manufacturing applications.

She said: “It's been absolutely fascinating to be involved in such an exciting and globally significant project.

“We’ve developed control systems for all sorts of uses across the manufacturing sector but developing a system for use in environmental research and so closely linked to sustainability is a real first for us.

“I'm extremely proud of the team, they have done an amazing job. Our new control system will ensure this important experiment is future-proofed for many years to come, supporting researchers worldwide.”

Transicon team member on site at the BIFoR FACE experiment facility

The BIFoR FACE experiment is crucial for understanding how mature forests will respond to climate change, with data shared globally to build robust models for temperate, tropical and subtropical forests, ultimately informing international climate policy.

It relies on a variety of sophisticated instruments and specialist equipment to release carbon dioxide into the woodland to simulate the future atmosphere and collect high resolution data.

The original system controlling the experiment used Turbo Pascal, a text-based programming language dating back to the 1990s that was no longer supported or compatible with the modern instrumentation being used.

Rather than simply updating the code, Transicon used its expertise to re-design and implement industrial platform solution.

“We took legacy text-based software and replaced it with modern Siemens controls platform to provide repeatability and a solution that can be more easily maintained, changed and understood,” explained Jennifer.

The project involved developing sophisticated control systems for a number of forest sensors or arrays, each containing approximately 30 carbon dioxide delivery points positioned at different heights within the woodland.

The system manages valves, gas analysers, wind analysers and other instrumentation, while collecting vital experimental data.

A key innovation was the development of a 3D visualisation engine that allows researchers to see the relative heights of all sensors and view the arrays from different angles – a significant improvement over the previous system's basic interface.

Jennifer added: “The solution we have developed provides a blueprint for reliable, consistent experimental control systems which could be implemented globally should the FACE experiments be expanded to other locations in the future.”

Dr Kris Hart at the Birmingham Institute of Forest Research, said: "The Transicon team has transformed our research capabilities with their innovative approach to modernising our control systems.

“Their expertise has enabled us to significantly enhance the precision and reliability of our carbon dioxide delivery system, which is absolutely vital for the integrity of our long-term climate change research.

“Working with a company that understood both the technical requirements and the scientific importance of our work has been invaluable.”

Transicon launches Industry Masterclass series

Transicon Limited — 30/01/2026

Leading engineering firm Transicon is launching a new Industry Masterclass series to help manufacturers address some of the sector’s most urgent challenges.

The Telford-based firm, which specialises in cutting-edge automated control systems, has teamed up with the Manufacturing Revenue Growth Summit and trade exhibition specialists Lincoln West to deliver the programme of industry webinars.

Each masterclass will focus on a particular pain point affecting UK manufacturers, including rising operational costs, skills shortages, ageing machinery and the increasing need for automation and digitalisation.

Six global OEMs have signed up to take part in the series of webinars – Stäubli, Nidec, Bosch Rexroth, Danfoss, Siemens and ABB.

Each webinar will explore a single challenge in depth, with experts from the guest manufacturer and Transicon sharing practical solutions and real-world case studies which demonstrate how manufacturers have overcome similar issues.

Transicon’s head of business development for the north Laura Hayton said the series comes at a critical time for UK manufacturing.

“Manufacturers are facing rising costs, energy pressures, increasing automation complexity and growing cybersecurity risks to name but a few of the challenges facing the sector.

“Our aim is to build a genuinely valuable learning platform where manufacturers can access clear, practical insight and solutions.

“The masterclass series brings together the real-world integration expertise of Transicon with the specialist knowledge of our global technology partners to create a space where manufacturers can gain the confidence to make informed decisions.

“We aim to help manufacturers bridge the gap between the potential of the technology which is now shaping our working lives and the on-the-ground results they are experiencing.

“By doing so, we hope to unite the very best expertise across the ecosystem to help strengthen, modernise and elevate UK manufacturing.”

Head of business development for the north, Laura Hayton

The series opens with global industrial and mechatronic solution provider Stäubli joining Transicon on March 17 to look at the problem of rising operational costs, labour shortages and the use of automation and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) for efficiency.

A second seminar with Japanese manufacturer Nidec in June will look at solving unclear digital strategy and the issue of investment paralysis, and further sessions with Bosch and Siemens will examine skills shortages and cyber security respectively.

Transicon, which was set up in 1967, works with major manufacturers such as BMW, Tata Steel and Muller Dairy.

The company has built a formidable reputation for its work manufacturing bespoke automation and control systems incorporating AC Drives, DC Drives, Servo Drives, PLC and SCADA Systems.

Details of the first Industry Masterclass webinar and sign-up details can be found here.

Introducing our Dedicated 24/7 Support Team

Transicon Limited — 01/01/2024

Happy New Year!

To celebrate the start of 2024, we're pleased to introduce Transicon's new dedicated 24/7 service team. We've here to look after your industrial control systems whenever you need us.

More details here: https://www.transicon.co.uk/services/support-contracts/

Transicon Achieves International Health & Safety Standard

Transicon Limited — 12/07/2023

We’ve pleased to announce that Transicon’s Occupational Health and Safety Management System has been certified by BSI to ISO 45001:2018 standard. We’ve built on the base of our long-standing ISO 9001 quality management system, our existing SafeContractor accreditation, and our new ISO 14001 environmental management system, making health and safety integral to all our business processes.

Here at Transicon, we're often tasked with bringing our customers’ machinery safety up to date, with CMSE® - Certified Machinery Safety Experts (TÜV NORD) in-house and decades of process and safety knowledge under our belts. Our engineering and installation teams work on a wide variety of industrial sites where adherence to safe working practices is vital to ensure that our team returns home safely.

ISO 45001, the world’s first International Standard for occupational health and safety (OH&S) is designed to prevent work-related injury and ill-health and to provide safe and healthy workplaces. We felt this standard really aligned with our own values and commitment to safe, healthy and sustainable work.

Alan Peters, Director in charge of Health & Safety at Transicon said: “Achieving the recognised international standard for the company’s health & safety systems had been a long-term goal for the company. All the employees can be extremely proud that it has been awarded to Transicon. It reinforces the company’s commitment to maintaining the highest accreditation for health and safety as well as demonstrating that safety is put first.”

If you feel we can be of assistance with any industrial safety requirements, don’t hesitate to get in touch, a member of our team would be more than happy to assist you.

https://www.transicon.co.uk/2023/07/transicon-achiev…-safety-standard/

Transicon donation to help train scientists of the future

Transicon Limited — 07/09/2025

A leading engineering firm has reinforced its commitment to STEM education with a grant to help grow eco-scientists of the future.

Transicon has given £2,000 to Birmingham University's Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR) Branching Out project.

The money has funded 50 BIFoR in a Box kits to encourage secondary school students to engage in science.

The STEM kits help pupils to create and install a DIY tree growth band called a dendrometer, collect data and discover more about the BIFoR FACE project, one of the world’s largest climate change experiments.

Based in a mature oak woodland in Staffordshire, the Free-Air-Carbon dioxide Enrichment (FACE) experiment, has been designed to investigate the impact of elevated CO₂ levels – similar to those predicted to be the norm by 2050 – on forest ecosystems.

It is one of only three research facilities to exist worldwide and is supporting researchers globally to understand how forests respond to environmental change.

Transicon has had a key role to play in the project by developing a new control system for the experiment ensuring it is future-proofed for many years to come.

Jennifer Hughes, director of Telford-based Transicon, said it was through this work it had become aware of the school Branching Out project and she was delighted to be able to support it.

The BIFoR in a Box kit allows pupils to do their own bit of citizen science by measuring tree growth in their own communities and adding to extensive data already collected by the FACE team.

Jennifer said: “As a business we are passionate about supporting STEM education and encouraging young people to pursue careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths.

“You don’t have to be a science professor to see that the climate is changing – the extremes of heat, rain and wind that used to be once in a decade events now seem to hit us every year.

“Understanding the impact those changes will have on us all, and developing real-world solutions for dealing with those impacts, is vital. For that, we need more scientists and engineers, so I’m delighted that our donation will help at least 50 schools to encourage their pupils to get involved in learning about the technologies needed.”

Transicon is one the country’s leading manufacturers of electrical control systems, drive systems and industrial automation systems and has a long-held commitment to encouraging and supporting young people, especially girls, into engineering and manufacturing careers at every level, from apprentices to graduates.

Dr Kris Hart at the Birmingham Institute for Forest Research, said: “We're thrilled that Transicon has chosen to support our BIFoR in a Box project with this generous donation.

“Having worked with them on modernising our FACE experiment control systems, we know firsthand their commitment to innovative science and technology.

“This funding will enable us to reach even more schools and inspire young people to engage with real environmental research.

“The kits allow students to become citizen scientists, contributing valuable data whilst learning about climate change and forest science.

“It's partnerships like this with forward-thinking companies such as Transicon that help us bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and education, potentially inspiring the next generation of environmental scientists and engineers.”

The BIFoR in a Box kits include metal tape, digital calliper, springs, ID guide, measuring tape and tree height measuring device and are sent out free to schools which register an interest. The team has also trained undergraduate students, researchers and professional staff to carry out engagement and outreach sessions to pupils in the field.

Leading Electrical Control Systems Manufacturer Joins the Made In Group

Transicon Limited — 03/02/2023

Telford based Transicon Ltd, a family run manufacturer of AC Drives, DC Drives, Servo Drives, PLC and SCADA control systems has become the latest firm to join the Birmingham based manufacturing network; the Made in Group. The firm has a proud manufacturing heritage over the last 55 years, building a strong reputation for quality and service and are already working with a number of Made in Group members. Transicon have a strong family run theme running through the business with three members of the Blake family working in the day to day operations, including two on the board; Managing Director Paul Blake and his daughter, Jennifer, Financial Director which gives the firm a sound footing for the future with a strong management team overseeing the next phase of Transicon’s growth journey.

“We’ve been supporting manufacturing in the region since 1967” comments Jennifer Hughes, who is now running the firm’s day to day operations in her capacity as FD. “We have been watching the Made in Group for a while and strongly support its values and mission to drive forward UK manufacturing; it's time to be part of that community and no longer an observer.”

Jennifer is busy expanding the firm’s apprenticeship programme and has spent the last two weeks meeting candidates who are keen to make their mark in the sector.

“Apprenticeships are the lifeblood of the manufacturing community and absolutely its future, our hiring strategy going forward to compliment our fine staff retention record is to grow and develop our own talent. What we can offer is a high quality, practical vocation, an exciting and challenging career with quality technology and the opportunity to work with our world class customers” continues Jennifer.

As the birthplace of the industrial revolution and one of Britain’s fastest growing new towns Telford, with its plethora of world class firms, has a tremendous opportunity to return some of its proud former production glory; yet the sector continues, as is seen across the UK, to struggle to attract more women into the sector, something that Director Jennifer Hughes is all too aware as one of the few female Directors of an SME manufacturer in the region:

“It doesn’t make sense, considering the skills gap that is well reported in manufacturing, for firms to continue to appeal only to a small percentage of their potential workforce in the local area. Manufacturers must do more to challenge this unconscious bias that might deter a young female in the area from considering a career in the sector. That’s why I look forward to using the employer branding toolkit and exciting Omni-Channel tools in the Made in Group such as the Virtual Reality factory tour and our all year round digital exhibition stand to reach a new audience of tech savvy young people in the area.”

Made in the Midlands Director Charles Addison added; “It’s with great pride that we are able to welcome Transicon Ltd into the Made in Group, they are a tremendous business that are doing all of the right things we feel firms need to be doing to ensure their future growth; strong succession planning, a defined apprenticeship programme, embracing modern technology and we intend to help them shout more about what they do. ‘Profile’ can mean so many things to a business but we contend that the more visible, the more active, the more informed and the more vocal a firm is in their sector; the more opportunities become available to them for ideas, talent, collaboration and most importantly, curiosity of what is coming around the corner so we can’t wait to get working with Jennifer and her team.”