Global Technologies Racing, the UK South Coast based composite design and manufacturing specialists, welcomed Andrew Griffith MP, Member of Parliament for Arundel & South Downs on a visit to their facilities on Friday 8th September. Met by co-founders and co-owners, Simon Kingdon-Butcher and John Biddlecome, Andrew was taken around the facility and was briefed on all aspects of the business, meeting staff along the way.
Andrew was especially pleased to meet some of the apprentices who are studying for a range of careers in composite manufacturing. Global Technologies Racing’s apprenticeship scheme is ranked No.1 in Engineering in the Top 50 SME Employers awards 2023. Working with Chichester College, GTR is currently training 19 apprentices, with 10 more starting this month.
Andrew met apprentices who were working on a Greenpower car to get it race-ready for the weekend’s competition at Dunsfold – a race they went on to win, making it three out of three wins for the team. From Greenpower electric cars, apprentices can then move onto the manufacture of parts for much more powerful vehicles.
GTR’s order book includes parts for Defence, Motorsport, Aerospace, Industrial, Medical, Marine and Automotive. Their Research and Development is another important aspect of the business essential for progressing the industry and meeting their clients ever-changing needs for performance improving design.
Following his visit, Andrew Griffith MP said: “It was great to see the work that Global Technologies Racing are doing across a number of important sectors. They are doing a terrific amount of work to encourage young men and women into the industry and developing them with the skills for a fantastic career.” He added: “I am grateful to John and Simon for taking the time to show me their business and I am excited to see the next chapter of GTR.”
Simon Kingdon-Butcher, Co-founder and owner at GTR said: “John and I were equally as thrilled to welcome Andrew to the Fontwell GTR site and we were both pleased and impressed by Andrew’s hunger to learn some of the finer details of the processes and techniques involved in this fast moving industry. Thank you, Andrew, for taking to the time to come and visit GTR, fitting us into what is surely a very busy schedule.”
