INDUSTRY NEWS
Smethwick’s PLS wins National Bespoke Bicycle Manufacturing Competition
P
LS, a Mobility Networks company and leading vehicle access lift manufacturer, has
designed and built a winning bespoke bicycle for a unique competition to illustrate the skill of its engineering team.
Since inception in 1990, PLS (Passenger Lift Services) has been regarded by many as the trusted name in powered lifts and ramps for accessible buses, coaches, ambulances, specialist vehicles and wheelchair accessible cars. Part of the global Mobility Networks Group, PLS has a proven manufacturing heritage and its talented team of specialists continual focus on delivering access innovation. The company, led by PLS Managing Director Adam Beck and Mobility Networks CEO Mike Simmonds, take a keen interest in developing apprentices and ensuring they reach their full potential. Hence to enhance their knowledge, skillset and enterprise, PLS Apprentices in partnership with the R&D department, have recently submitted an entry to ‘Bespoked - The Constructors Challenge 2015.’ This national competition invited businesses from across the UK to design and build a unique fully working bicycle, with the
top six designs being showcased at Bristol’s prestigious Arnolfini Gallery.
Adam Beck, PLS Manager Director commented: “We competed in ‘Bespoked’ as it gave us the chance to showcase our renowned engineering skills and manufacturing capabilities. As a leading UK specialist in powered vehicle access lifts, we were looking for something different to focus the skills of our apprentices
as they complete their three years of training. The project aimed to test our workforce to the maximum by producing a high specification bicycle that incorporated as many ‘lift product’ components as possible. Every part would actually be over engineered to fully demonstrate PLS’s ability to deliver bespoke solutions through a vast range of manufacturing techniques. We only had six weeks to complete the project so being
able to work under pressure whilst retaining accuracy and attention- to-detail was also tested during this exercise.” Adam continued: “From a design point of view, this competition was invaluable as it required the PLS team to think ‘outside of the box’ regarding a non-familiar product. It ensured that efficient assembly principles were carefully considered before manufacturing – a key part of
8 IMT June 2015
www.internationalmetaltube.com
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