Ben Parsons

• Provided engineering support across many aspects of Ipeco's manufacturing operations including Seat assembly, Galley insert assembly, upholstery & Military dip brazed assembly.

• Support new product introduction (NPI) activities from concept through to production using APQP methodologies.

• Working closely with the Design office, Quality & Supply chain to ensure DFM principles are considered throughout development & the overall maturity gateway.

• Develop manufacture plans including PFMEA's, Control plans & Capability studies for new processes or production programmes.

• Reviewing new drawing releases and working alongside planning to ensure a smooth & cost-efficient manufacture route is chosen.

• Designed and implemented shop floor layouts to support production growth, optimise material flow, improve space utilisation and enhance manufacturing efficiency.

3 Notable Achievements-

• Delivered a £120,000 annual cost saving by identifying, justifying and implementing in-house leather embossing and CNC embroidery capability through the CAPEX process. This reduced reliance on external suppliers and improved lead time from 4 weeks to 1 day.

• Led the industrialisation of the Embraer pilot seat assembly process through the creation of a dedicated production line. Transforming what was a bench built and operator strenuous product onto a track system which significantly increased takt time and reduced manual handling.

• Played a key part in Ipeco's new steam oven development with the 935 (Airbus) & 957 (BA) programmes. Both entailed a heavy DFM process where I found opportunities to streamline sub-assemblies via Poke Yoke and standardised fasteners to improve operator efficiency.

• Provided day to day engineering support to assembly operations.

• Developed, maintained and updated manufacturing work instructions to support safe, efficient and repeatable assembly processes.

• Identified and implemented continuous improvement opportunities to improve workflow, reduce waste and support production targets.

• Supported root cause investigations and problem solving activities relating to assembly operations.

• Applied Lean Manufacturing principles and 5S methodologies to improve workplace organisation, manufacturing flow and operational efficiency.

• Utilised Catia V5 to design efficient plant layouts and systems.

• Utilised SAP to analyse production information and make decisions regarding lot sizing and cell capacity.

3 Notable Achievements:

• Played a key role in the development and industrialisation of upholstery components for the Bombardier Challenger 350 executive jet seat programme. Led manufacturing input into design and production decisions, including the successful transition from hand-crafted back cushions to a moulded manufacturing process. This improved repeatability, product consistency and manufacturing efficiency. Acted as a key manufacturing representative during customer reviews, working closely with Bombardier engineering and quality representatives to address technical concerns, review product quality and support programme delivery through to production.

• Fixed Ipeco composite panel trimming issues by recommending changes to their processes and fixturing. This meant panel quality increased significantly and therefore dramatically improved upholstery finish.

• Designed and introduced a new crumb-catcher mounting system for the challenger 350 executive jet seat. This was a considerable improvement to the assembly process halving the installation time.

• Contributed to development and implementation of production lines, enhancing manufacturing throughput and optimising production flow.

• Designed and implemented production cell improvements via Catia V5 (including shadowboard, shadow foams, 3D printed jigs, etc).

• Reconfigured shop floor layouts and manufacturing workstations to accommodate increased production demand, improving workflow, piece part presentation and operational efficiency.

• Facilitated continuous improvement activities aimed at waste reduction and process optimisation to enhance production performance.

• Created and maintained detailed manufacturing work instructions, translating engineering requirements into effective shop floor processes that ensured quality and operator consistency.

• Designed and introduced assembly tooling, fixtures and aids to improve build quality, reduce assembly time and support operator consistency.

• Assisted point of use stock (POUS) implementation onto the shop floor, organising assembly stations with their suitable piece parts to improve build efficiency.

• Completed a four-year engineering apprenticeship combining academic study with practical experience across multiple manufacturing and engineering disciplines

• Successfully completed a Level 3 Diploma in Mechanical Engineering and NVQ Extended Level 3 in Engineering Technical Support.

• Acquired hands-on experience in production, manufacturing engineering, process engineering, quality, and design support functions, enhancing technical skills across disciplines.

• Developed a strong understanding of aerospace manufacturing processes, engineering drawings, assembly techniques and quality standards.

• Cultivated proficiency in interpreting technical drawings, manufacturing documentation, and engineering specifications, ensuring alignment with industry standards.

• Assisted in manufacturing improvement projects and engineering investigations, contributing to effective problem-solving and operational enhancements.

• Worked closely with experienced engineers and production teams to develop practical engineering knowledge and problem-solving skills.