The Innocence to Excellence (I2E) programme established by Calder Precision Engineering (CPE) has been recognised for its ‘outstanding’ qualities.

Following on from a £1 million investment in machining capability and surface technologies, CPE set up its I2E programme to assess and develop four key business areas, pushing them to the forefront of operational excellence.

Human resource, finance, operations and engineering are the key disciplines that CPE aims to progress, with defined targets in place over a 12-month period.

Identified as ‘outstanding’ at its AS9100 QMS audit, the I2E programme pushes processes, training and personal development to the highest standard. The AS9100 certification is awarded to organisations with the capability to design, manufacture and supply into the aviation and aerospace sector, showcasing an excellent comprehensive quality management system.

It explores, challenges and defines the core competencies required by CPE’s customers and aligns operating procedures and behaviours to be the very best in practice. This not only raises the skills and contributions by individual employees, but it also enables CPE to enhance its performance and value proposition to its blue-chip customer base, positioning it as a key differentiator.

On the right track
Gail Matthews, HR business partner at Midland Aerospace Ltd (a CDE company), said: “Regularly tracking, learning and improving each business area ensures we are on the right track to reaching a performance level that our customers require, while our employees continue with their personal development.

Over 5,000 man hours of personnel training has taken place since we started the programme, and in March 2020 that is a key differentiator in our marketplace – our skillset is continually improving, and our customers value our long-term investment.”

With many businesses needing to operate from home over the past year, CPE was quick to adapt to this new normal, adopting digital platforms and virtual training to raise the division’s operating efficiency to best in class for customers.

Tim Pryce, CPE executive chair, said: “The I2E programme demonstrates that at CPE we walk the walk – our employees are great and through this programme they continue to develop. It is our employee teams that enable the business to provide our customers with a ‘total solution’ approach, creating value across many leading sector applications.

“The programme positions CPE as one of the leading suppliers of precision engineering capability while providing a work environment where employees can learn, explore and develop their careers.”