Shipbuilder invests in quality assurance

Gordon Maxwell, formerly quality manager at Precision Polymer Engineering, will head up a team of 19 at Cammell Laird. He aims to take a more proactive approach to quality assurance as he draws on his experience of working for the likes of television parts manufacturer Philips Components and central heating manufacturer Baxi.

“It is about capturing best practice from other industries so that Cammell Laird can become more efficient and continue to lead the way,” said Mr Maxwell, who has experience of three different foundries working with cast iron, steel, stainless steel and aluminium.

He said he would be reviewing processes documentation, technology and measurement systems in place.

As well as cultivating closer relationships with suppliers, work will also be done in upskilling the workforce where necessary.

“Our aim is to ensure customer satisfaction by building things on time, at the right quality for the right price,” he said.

“Cammell Laird is going through a transition period, with new orders and new opportunities coming in all the time. We have a good quality team here and we are trying to bring some new ideas to move quality upstream by being proactive.”

By Rebecca Jeffrey