At Emergency One, we’re always looking forward, not just in how we design and build emergency vehicles, but also in how we support the next generation of engineers and innovators. That’s why we were proud to once again collaborate with the University of Strathclyde’s Department of Design, Manufacturing and Engineering Management (DMEM) as part of their Industrial Group Project (IGP) programme.

With over 30 project briefs to choose from across various industries, each student selected a topic that aligned with their interests and strengths, encouraging genuine passion and purpose behind their work. This year, we had the pleasure of working with two project teams, each bringing a fresh perspective to very different areas of our business.

One team focused on optimising cab and body stowage solutions for breathing apparatus (BA), applying their knowledge to rethink how equipment is stored and accessed on our vehicles. Their work combined practicality with innovation, directly addressing challenges faced in real-world emergency response scenarios.

The second team worked to conduct a comprehensive lean management assessment of our production facility. Their task was to identify bottlenecks and explore opportunities to improve efficiency and streamline systems. After reviewing various areas, they chose to focus on stock management, ultimately developing a custom storage solution aimed at reducing part damage, improving traceability, and minimising product loss. Their insights offered real, implementable ideas that will help enhance our operations.

Our involvement with this programme is about more than just project outcomes. It’s about investing in people, giving students a meaningful insight into the realities of industry, helping them build confidence, and sparking ideas they might carry into their future careers. And in return, we benefit from fresh thinking and creative problem-solving that challenges us to keep pushing boundaries.

Working with universities like Strathclyde is something we value highly. It reinforces our commitment to social responsibility, engineering innovation, and supporting the next generation of talent in design and manufacturing.

A huge thank you to both student teams and the staff at DMEM for another fantastic year of collaboration. We’re already looking forward to seeing where the next generation takes us.