Kirsty Williams AM Visits Caerbont Automotive Instruments
Kirsty Williams AM, Cabinet Secretary for Education for the National Assembly of Wales, visited Caerbont Automotive Instruments to discuss recent business growth and their successful apprenticeship scheme.
Caerbont Automotive Instruments (CAI) is located in Abercrave, Powys, South Wales, the constituency of Brecon and Radnorshire, of which Welsh Liberal Democrat Kirsty Williams AM has been the local Assembly Member of the National Assembly of Wales since 1999. Kirsty had been invited by CAI to discuss recent growth in domestic and export sales, their successful apprenticeship scheme, and plans for future expansion.
Kirsty toured the manufacturing plant and was shown how CAI manufacture and assemble gauges for classic cars including Aston Martin and Jaguar. The extensive product portfolio also includes gauges for motorcycles, marine applications, and specialist aviation projects. CAI evolved from world-renowned SMITHS Instruments and continue to manufacture classic SMITHS gauges using the original designs and tooling. Many of the new gauge designs are bespoke for specific applications with the CAI engineering team working closely with the client on the operation, performance and appearance of a specific speedometer, tachometer or other gauge.
During the tour Kirsty took the opportunity to meet two of CAI's apprentices, Amie Guy and Amanuel Oebretnjae. Kirsty has a keen interest in encouraging young women to pursue a career in engineering and she was interested to hear about Amie's career path. Amie is in the middle of a training and apprenticeship scheme and has had the opportunity to learn a wide range of engineering and manufacturing skills by working in different sectors of the business.
"We were thrilled when Kirsty accepted our invitation to visit the plant," said Gavin Roberts, CAI's Managing Director. "With her family association with engineering and in her role as Cabinet Secretary for Education at the National Assembly of Wales, Kirsty was very interested in understanding how and what we design and manufacture."
"Also, in the UK Government's Year of Engineering, it was also very appropriate that Kirsty met our apprentices. As a company, we identified the necessity to develop our future engineers in-house. They work closely with our long-standing employees as well as attending college. The transfer of knowledge and skills is vital to our future, especially as many of our gauges are installed in classic cars like the Aston Martin DB5 and Jaguar E-Type. We have also designed and manufactured gauges for the new 'original' Jaguar XKSS, new motorcycles like the Midual, and even 'The Danny' Tug Boat."
Recently, CAI has seen a significant growth in domestic and export sales with a 20% increase in 2017 on 2016. With the rate of growth continuing into 2018, the CAI management team were keen to discuss how the Welsh Government may be able to provide support.
"CAI, and the original SMITHS Instruments, has been based in South Wales since 1949 and our Welsh identity is very important," explained Gavin. "We have exciting plans to further expand our business and promote the success of manufacturing in Wales."
For further information on our gauge designs for Classic Cars, Motorcycles, Marine Applications, and Aviation Projects please contact us on:
Via our website
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 (0) 1639 732200
Posted by Paul Fears on
11 April 2018 at 12:00 AM
Tags:
ApprenticeshipsKirsty Williams AMYear of Engineering
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