Family-orientated businessman and Managing Director of the Carfulan Group, Andrew Fulton, works alongside his family and a team of engineering experts in their Advanced Innovation Centre (AIC) located in Foston, Derby, providing a broad range of world-leading technology solutions to companies across the UK and Ireland. For the past 30 years the group has continued to grow and now the family-run company has big plans for expansion- investing in the future of manufacturing and their continuously expanding business.
“The board of directors and myself have ambitious plans to further company growth and to this end have structured a detailed plan leading up to 2020 that will see revenues and profit double”, Andrew said. “During this phase of growth the Carfulan Group will expand its technical offering through the introduction the latest products to our already vast selection of technologies, setting a platform for growth beyond 2020.”
Also introducing their first apprenticeship scheme, the Carfulan Group is working closely with the JCB Academy to provide annual engineering training programmes to the industry professionals of the future. With the company’s roots firmly set in Derbyshire, Andrew believes that contributing towards the area’s manufacturing industry is extremely important in its continuation and is a firm believer in the apprenticeship scheme because Andrew himself took the same route out of school.
“We take pride in the initiative to introduce an apprenticeship scheme, made possible by the incredible facilities offered by JCB Academy. Apprenticeship programs offer a sense of grounding with balanced learning whereby next generation engineers are able to gain thorough, practical, hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge whilst also learning to work as part of a team,” he commented.
The new apprentices began their in-house training in application and services at the start of September and will spend the next three years developing their formal engineering knowledge and skills. Attending JCB for 2 of those years and acquiring general engineering certification with an additional bolt on year, following their initial training, in order to gain their NVQ qualification.
Working alongside experienced professionals, the programme will cover key fundamental areas of engineering, advanced level knowledge and understanding of maintenance engineering. Providing invaluable knowledge on health and safety, advanced mathematics, computer aided design (CAD) software techniques and machine installation and calibration, gaining nationally recognised qualifications. This will be delivered through practical and theoretical methods, ensuring the apprentices develop a wide skill set enabling them to succeed in their future engineering career.
Andrew concluded, “Our partnership with JCB Academy has allowed us to introduce a group of apprentices who will receive integral technical engineering training from JCB as well as product related training from us in a real-world environment, giving them an intricate overview of the working world.”
The decision to introduce an apprenticeship scheme follows a previous successful apprenticeship which stems back to almost two decades ago when OGP UK Service Engineer, Steven Fowkes, began his career at the Carfulan Group. Today, not only is he still an OGP employee but his son is now also training as a service engineer for the same company.
Andrew and Angela’s vision for their business has always involved maintaining a family sensitivity, investing in the loyalty of their employees whilst also implementing a corporate structure in every aspect of the business. With over 45 employees and set to increase, company loyalty and continuous personal development and progression are integral factors to Carfulan’s success, Andrew believes that investing in the progression of his team is vital in building loyalty, benefitting business in the long run.
The team works towards one unwavering aim; precision, performance, perfection for manufacturers across England and Ireland. Due to rapid business expansion, the Carfulan Group plans to build a brand new facility to accommodate their growth. It will be constructed on land purchased next door to the current Advanced Innovation Centre (AIC) allowing for the company to remain in one location.
Founded in Derbyshire during 1989 by Andrew and Angela Fulton, the company, then named Independent Calibration, primarily focused on metrology by offering servicing and calibration to co-ordinate measurement machine users. By combining both Andrew’s service engineering expertise and Angela’s knowledge in finances they were able to establish an efficient business that within two years would grab the attention of global names.
The Carfulan Group is home to a number of industry experts, specialising in the latest and most advanced technology solutions available on the market; OGP UK, SYS Systems Limited, ZOLLER UK and VICIVISION. OGP is an industry-leading multi sensor metrology equipment specialist, providing state-of-the-art products and ongoing support to customers such as R A Labone and Brandauer, amongst many more. Platinum partner to world-leading 3D printing technology expert Stratasys, SYS Systems provide 3D printing technology solutions whilst building strong customer relationships with businesses of all sizes including Speedo, DeBeers and Herman Miller.
As the UK distributor of globally-renowned ZOLLER Inc. tool presetting and measurement equipment, ZOLLER UK deals with some of the largest automotive manufacturers in the West Midlands, as well as the biggest aerospace manufacturer in Derbyshire. And finally Carfulan offers advanced turned part measurement with VICIVISION optical measurement technology, predominantly aiding customers in medical and aerospace manufacturing.