Siemens won an award for Product Innovation and was highly commended in the ‘Best collaboration between Education and Business' category at the Manufacturing Excellence Awards held at The Dorchester in London last night (23 June).
Siemens Magnet Technology, based in Eynsham, Oxford, won the Award for Product Innovation. The business designs and manufactures superconducting magnets for medical scanners used around the world.
Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery in Lincoln was also highly commended in the category ‘Best collaboration between Education and Business’ for its pioneering work with the University of Lincoln in establishing a new school of engineering . The industrial turbine manufacturing business designs, manufactures and services world class turbines for applications within the Oil and Gas Industry and other industry sectors.
Andreas J. Goss, chief executive of Siemens plc said: “We are delighted to have won the award and commendation and to receive such great recognition for our work both in Oxford and Lincoln. Our collaborative educational programmes and apprenticeship schemes in Lincoln are vital for renewing our manufacturing talent pool and something we are very proud of. Siemens Magnet Technology is a centre of excellence in a competitive environment and it is due to our highly skilled, innovative and dedicated employees that we continue to produce the world’s best superconducting magnets for MRI systems.”
Of the 420 people employed at Siemens Magnet Technology, 60 work in the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) department supporting the existing products and developing the next generation. However, innovation is not limited to the PLM department, all employees are encouraged to submit ideas for product and process improvement and are rewarded based on the resulting benefit to the company. Siemens operates ‘open innovation’ and has well established partnerships with some leading universities and start ups to develop new technologies. Working with customers, hospitals, clinics and radiologists the team at Oxford learn about what features and functionality they are looking for in the next generation of magnet products to shape future development in this area.
Siemens has been developing collaborative links with education in Lincoln and its surrounding area for many years. The company operates an Advanced Apprenticeship scheme and an accredited graduate development programme accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and Institution of Engineering and Technology. Other activities include supporting schools in the Lincoln area to develop their Specialist Schools status and a work experience programme for students within Lincolnshire. The business also has 30 employees who are Science and Engineering Ambassadors who work with pupils from primary to secondary schools to encourage and explore STEM subjects. It has also been credited for its annual Females into Industry Challenge to highlight the opportunities for girls in engineering.
Siemens has formalised its association with the University of Lincoln, supported by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), for the creation of the first purpose built School of Engineering to be built in the UK for more than 20 years, providing the opportunity to study engineering in an area of the UK with a need for engineering expertise and no local provision. This is a very unique partnership that has been recognised as a model for higher education by the HEFCE.
The Manufacturing Excellence Awards is the premier annual award scheme for the UK manufacturing industry, supporting and recognising manufacturing success. Run by The Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Awards attract entries from manufacturing businesses in all sectors. Every entrant receives a customised benchmark report rating their performance against best practice and highlighting areas for improvement.
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About Siemens in the UK
Siemens was established in the United Kingdom 167 years ago and now employs 16,915 people in the UK. Last year’s revenues were £4.2 billion. As a leading global engineering and technology services company, Siemens provides innovative solutions to help tackle the world’s major challenges, across the key sectors of energy, industry and healthcare. Siemens has offices and factories throughout the UK, with its headquarters in Frimley, Surrey. The company’s global headquarters is in Munich, Germany. For more information, visit www.siemens.co.uk
For more Information, contact:
Kerry Milton
PR Manager
Siemens Plc
Tel: +44 (0) 1276 696338
Mob: +44 (0) 7808 826389
Email: kerry.milton@siemens.com
