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MPhil in Engineering for Sustainable Development

global challenges, engineering solutions
 
ESD MPhil Students Visit Potton Company

The ESD MPhil Students had a successful visit at Potton Company on Monday 27th of April 2015. Potton Kingspan is a leader company that assembles timber-based structural systems, delivering architectural design and high performance energy efficient solutions into private sector. On the visit the students were received by Mark Stevenson-Managing Director, Paul Newman-Self Build Director and Martin Waker-Operation Manager & Show Centre Co-ordinator, whom first gave them an introduction about the company and the products they produce, followed by a tour around the factory. The tour started at the timber mill plant, then to the timber treatment plant, assembly shops and warehouse, where the students had the opportunity of learn about the whole production process of the company.

Finally, with the information gathered the students had an instance to give their feedback to Potton’s people. Here the students enforced their theoretical knowledge in sustainability evaluating practical options to improve the fabrication process flow, storage and design of the products. Also the students suggested ways to improve the commercial and marketing concerns of the business, providing valuable insights to company’s managers.

Congratulation to our students for their remarkable performance at Potton Kingspan!

Photo credits: R Murschler

 

 

Course Overview

Context

The need to engage in better problem definition through careful dialogue with all stakeholder groups and a proper recognition of context.

Perspectives

An ability to work with specialists from other disciplines and professional groups acknowledging that technical innovation and business skills also must be understood, nurtured and combined as precursors to the successful implementation of sustainable solutions.

Change

An understanding of mechanisms for managing change in organisations so future engineers are equipped to play a leadership role.

Tools

An awareness of a range of assessment frameworks, sustainability metrics and methodologies such as Life Cycle Analysis, Systems Dynamics, Multi-Criteria Decision making and Impact Assessment.