HT Brigham celebrate national engineering day
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HT Brigham Champions National Engineering Day with a Call to Inspire the Next Generation of Engineers

As the UK marks National Engineering Day on November 5th, HT Brigham & Co Ltd is celebrating the people, skills, and innovation that keep British manufacturing at the forefront of global industry — and calling for greater recognition of the sector’s role in shaping the future. Organised by the Royal Academy of Engineering as part of its “This is Engineering” campaign, National Engineering Day aims to raise awareness of career opportunities within the sector, celebrate the achievements of engineers and technicians, and inspire a more diverse new generation to join the profession.

For Doug Allen, Chief Executive of HT Brigham, the day provides a moment to reflect on what truly drives manufacturing excellence — people, purpose, and progress.

“Engineering remains one of the UK’s greatest strengths — it’s where innovation meets execution,” says Allen. “Every day, engineers across the country are solving complex problems and delivering the products that power our economy. National Engineering Day is about recognising that talent, showing young people what’s possible, and taking pride in what British engineering achieves.”

With more than 75 years of experience in precision metal pressings, HT Brigham has built a reputation for dependability, technical depth, and a relentless drive for improvement. Recent investments — including the refurbishment of a 250-ton Rhodes progression press — have strengthened the company’s production capacity and reinforced its long-term commitment to innovation and resilience.

HT Brigham sees the future of manufacturing being about people — by nurturing the next generation of problem-solvers. The company has recently launched a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Birmingham City University, focused on new product development and the integration of fresh ideas from academia into industrial practice.

“Partnerships like the one with Birmingham City University are vital,” says Allen. “They help us bring new thinking into our business — from materials innovation to digital product design — while giving young engineers hands-on experience in a live manufacturing environment. It’s exactly the kind of collaboration that keeps UK industry evolving.”

For Anna Lavender-Moore, Compliance Director, National Engineering Day is for changing perceptions — showing that manufacturing is an advanced, creative, and rewarding career path for young people.

“Manufacturing has evolved — it’s advanced, digital, and full of opportunity,” says Anna. “We need to show that to the next generation. Whether you’re passionate about design, data, robotics, or sustainability, there’s a place for you in modern manufacturing. It’s an industry that rewards curiosity, collaboration, and creativity.”

Anna adds that initiatives like National Engineering Day and KTPs play a key role in bridging the gap between education and industry. “We’ve got a responsibility to open our doors, share our experiences, and give the next generation the tools to succeed,” she says. “It’s about inspiring curiosity and showing how rewarding it is to make things that matter.”

As Britain celebrates its makers and innovators this National Engineering Day, HT Brigham stands as an example of modern UK engineering at its best — proud of its heritage, focused on progress, and investing in the engineers who will shape the next era of industrial excellence