Training for the Future
Earlier this month I was invited to attend an Open Day at Draper Tools in Chandler’s Ford to promote and celebrate Draper’s sponsorship of the United Autosports Audi racing team. Draper Tools Limited is a family run company supplying hand tools to industry since 1919 and the company currently supplies equipment and consumables to the United Autosports race teams. United Autosport’s brace of Audi R8 LMS sports cars will be adorned in Draper Tools livery for the Anglo-American team’s attack on the FIA GT3 European and British Championship running this season. At the time of writing this, the team is leading the British GT Series.
For the Open Day Draper invited students from Totton College, studying
Vehicle Technology, to meet one of the drivers, Joe Osborne and his team, and to have a look at an Audi R8 LMS at close quarters. Draper Tools have strong links with many colleges and educational establishments such as the DIY School and Loughborough College, where students train with Draper products and go into industry placements using Draper tools. Draper Tools also have strong links with vocational training organisations where students of all ages and backgrounds can learn trade skills leading to achieving recognized qualifications.
The company are also actively involved in charitable community projects and sponsorship such as Skidz Motor Project - a charity that helps students with learning difficulties, or who have come from disadvantaged backgrounds, to learn motor servicing skills and get a foothold in the workplace. At Totton College Draper work in partnership with Lawson HIS of Southampton to supply the students with Draper products. See Lawson’s company profile in ToolBUSINESS+HIRE Magazine. December2010/January 2011- issue 182. Go to the archive page at
www.toolbusiness.co.uk/index.php/magazine-archive.
At the Open Day each student had a chance to sit in the car and talk through technical details with the Draper sponsored driver Joe. After a thorough examination of the car and its engine the students participated in a wheel change challenge. The students recorded some impressive times - my time was rather slower even with some help! The racing tyres are very heavy! The morning concluded with a tour round the pantechnicon lorry used to transport the Audis on the race tour. This huge lorry contains everything needed to keep the car in race condition, including the ultimate Draper professional quality tool kit, and even has a lounge upstairs where the team can relax and analyse race statistics.
After lunch we were given a review of the Chandler’s Ford Site including the impressive Quality Assurance Department where all Draper Tools go through rigorous testing to ensure the safety and efficiency of all their tools. There is a similar facility in the Draper office in China. The students tried out the clever lifting system in the Goods-In area designed to assist in the efficient handling of products during the unloading process. Another department supplies spare parts, servicing and warranty repairs on the vast range of Draper products. We walked through the warehousing facility with its up to the minute computerized product pick technology, maximizing efficient ordering and enjoyed watching the packing and banding of the parcels which are all weighed and measured to ensure order accuracy.
In the Draper showroom, the students were able to see a large display of
Draper Tools and ask questions about the huge variety of the range that has tool solutions suitable for all trades as well as home and leisure use.
16 ToolBUSINESS+HIRE
www.toolbusiness.co.uk
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