Despite much pleading by the class, this was not a trip to the golden arches or the chicken emporium, but in fact to visit two thriving and long-established businesses that are right on our doorstep.

Out first stop was to see the corrugated card creations of Atlas Packaging.  They create card packaging for many of the household brands you will be familiar with, as well as smaller, more unusual packaging requests.  They took us through the whole design concept stage, surface design development and finally production, via their impressive factory floor. For health and safety reasons we were not allowed onto the factory floor, but we got a real sense of the scale of their operations as we could view it from the design offices above.  We were given the history of their business, and what they produce now with a real focus on the sustainability of the materials they use, by the head of the business Jason, before being shown the design and production stages by two of his senior staff. 

Our next stop was just around the corner at North Devon Metal Craft. A long-established, but much smaller scale business, that embraces the new and old ways of engineering.  They are the go-to people for handmade car body parts for brands such as Jaguar, Bentley, Triumph, Porsche and Cobra.  Their workshop is a feast for anyone who is interested in engineering, stuffed full with car bodies at various stages of build, and the very traditional equipment they still use to get such a high-end finish. What they make is sent all over the world to car enthusiasts. Students were particularly fascinated by the English Wheel, used to form sheet materials into incredible curves for the very classic cars they build and restore. Part of their initial concept work is done using CAD so it was great for students to see how the old and new ways can be equally productive in today's very competitive markets.

We would all like to thank both companies for giving up precious work time to show us around their businesses.  It is invaluable for students to see design and technology in action as it really brings the theory we study in school to life. It also shows them there are many opportunities in our local area that could lead to a very fulfilling career.

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Miss Britton