As an avid supporter of our own Formula Student event, I was delighted to find out it was 'sold-out' within just two days of opening registration - a record. With Switzerland entering for the first time (in the new Low Carbon category) and 85 universities in total from 21 countries, this is sure to prove to be a fantastic event.
Had a fascinating meeting with the key players who manage MX Germany. MX has been running there for three years and there are many similarities and some differences from our process. We took the opportunity to talk through how we can learn from one another and build upon this great product. We visited Knorr-Bremse AG who manufacture braking systems for trains and trucks. Our host was Professor Raimund Klinkner, Chair of the Executive Board who introduced the company by saying "the safety of 1 billion people per day rely on our brakes!" What a brilliant opening line to introduce his company. Knorr-Bremse has been operating for over 100 years and their HQ building is the old BMW HQ. They bought BMW in the 1920s but then sold it on again as it was not core business. Whenever I visit German manufacturing facilities I see many opportunities and lessons that we can learn from in the UK. The high regard in which engineers are held is in stark contrast to the recognition we get in some quarters in the UK. Food for both thought and action.
Recent articles in the media about electricity shortages remind us again of the need to build new power production now. I'm likely to come back to that in future blogs!
'The high regard in which engineers are held is in stark contrast to the recognition we get in some quarters in the UK.' This comes as no surprise. All Professional Engineers on the continent are instantly recognised by a prefix, used in everyday correspondence and frequently as a form of address by colleagues and the public. We have the postnomial CEng, rarely noticed. EurIng is a botched optional extra, rarely used here, and practically never on the continent. A job for ECUK/ETB?
Posted by: David Reeves | February 17, 2008 at 12:22 PM