What A Sleeping Beauty Of An Idea!

Elddis has awarded students at a top North East university for their innovation in engineering.



Elddis challenged the second year students from the University of Newcastle's engineering department on a project called 'Build a Better Bed'.

Continuing towards excellence in comfort of technology, Elddis developed the project, which counts for 10 percent of the students' final year mark. The design brief asked the students to develop a bed suitable for caravans and motorhomes, which was commercially viable, has sound engineering qualities and offered the highest standard of customer comfort.

The judging panel of Elddis engineers were so impressed with the standards of the designs that they awarded two groups a share of the £500 prize.

What's more, students within the winning groups also received a 'ticket' to compete against one another for an acclaimed engineering placement at Elddis. with Thomas Ashley the lucky recipient.

Alan Bateman, Design Development Manager at Elddis said: "The students really stepped up to the mark on this project. Their designs showed they understood the brief and the commercial requirements, while being creative.”

Iain Evans, Senior Lecturer in Engineering Design, believes the partnership between Elddis and the University worked well: "To be able to give students a real life project to work on, broadening their practical experience in a different industry, as well as a the opportunity of an engineering placement, is a massive incentive for them.

He continued: "Elddis is a sterling example of how the support of companies such as theirs is imperative if we aim to produce talented engineers of the future.”

Sally Nicholson, age 20, project leader on one of the winning teams said: "I am so pleased that our hard work has paid off. It is excellent to know that the work we are learning at university is something that is applicable to the workplace, and to be rewarded for our efforts is a great pat on the back.”

Published: 26/07/2006