Basingstoke-based Winkworth Machinery Ltd, a leading manufacturer of industrial mixers and blenders, recently strengthened its links with Portsmouth University by inviting 15 mechanical engineering students to tour the factory.

The aim of the visit was to improve the students’ understanding of manufacturing companies, show them what it is like to work there and give them the opportunity to see how they could apply their university education to the work-place.

Winkworth (www.mixer.co.uk) has supported industrial placements for the last eight years.

The tour included a talk from managing director Grant Jamieson, together with a factory tour by design engineer Luke Gaiger.

The party was joined by this year’s industrial placement student, Harrison Richmond, also a mechanical engineering student from Portsmouth University.

The tour included a visit to the critical back-office functions of planning and production control, the engineering design office and Winkworth’s mixing test centre, where trials are run for customers.

The day finished with Winkworth’s HR manager, Jess Holt, delivering a presentation on career decisions within industry.

She highlighted the benefits of working for an SME and urged the students to look beyond the brand name when considering a place of work, instead asking them to consider how their personalities and values align with a company.