Engineering

Engineering is the glue that brings together metals, plastics and energy.

In the fifties and sixties the giant engineering companies dominated the scene. Swathes of nationalisation then robbed companies like Vickers, GKN, Hawker Siddeley and John Brown of their core businesses. They needed to discover new purpose which some did.

Weir Group survived throughout but has many more employees overseas than in the UK.

The broader engineering industry comprised and comprises many medium sized and small companies. A number of these have grown and are thriving on new technologies.

In this book I look in the respective chapters at other manufacturing sectors based on engineering.

The image is of the SPARK Engineering Festival in Lincoln Cathedral which seeks to encourage young people to pursue careers in engineering.