Engineering Industry Network event at Amazon

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On 24th February, the Engineering Industry Network hosted an industry event at the Amazon facility in Derby.

Our Managing Director, Will Bridgman attended the event and was grateful for the opportunity to gain insight into the operations of one of the world’s largest companies and to see just how much activity takes place behind the scenes.

Reflecting on the visit, Will said:

“The day was full of tours, talks and opportunities to network with those attending from other businesses across the country. Amazon not only showcased how hard-working their company is, but also highlighted the strength of their apprenticeship programme and outreach strategy.

“Altogether, it was a worthwhile event to be a part of. All attendees were given multiple opportunities to learn, discuss, debate and network. Events like this truly help business owners and directors across the country.”

The event provided valuable insight into large-scale operations, innovation and workforce development, while also offering a great opportunity for business leaders from across the engineering and manufacturing sectors to connect and share ideas.

Speaking at Norwich Science Festival

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In February, a member of the Warren team attended the Norwich Science Festival as a speaker on the Diverse Jobs for Life in Manufacturing panel.

The discussion brought together three business leaders, including Hayley Scarrott and Tom Beales, to talk about careers and opportunities within the engineering and manufacturing sectors.

During the panel, the speakers shared real-life experiences from their own careers, offered advice to those considering a future in the industry, and discussed the evolving workforce in modern engineering and manufacturing businesses. Topics included the wide variety of roles available within the sector and the skills that will be important for the next generation of professionals.

Events like this are an important way to highlight the opportunities that exist within manufacturing and to encourage more people to consider careers in engineering.

It was a great experience to take part in the discussion, and we would like to extend a big thank you to the festival organisers, the other panellists and everyone who came along to listen.

Inspiring future engineers at Thetford Academy careers day

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On Thursday 12th March, Warren attended the annual careers event at Thetford Academy. The event provides a great opportunity for local businesses to engage with students and help them learn more about the wide range of career paths available to them.

The day was very well supported by businesses and training providers from across the region. Warren was joined by Miganglia Ltd., who brought along their popular virtual welding simulator. Alongside this, we ran our Lego engineering challenge – a practical activity that always proves to be a big hit with students.

Hands-on activities are a great way to engage young people, helping them experience a small taste of engineering and manufacturing in a fun and memorable way.

We were also pleased to be supported by Reino and Alfie, who helped out during the day. Both are former students of Thetford Academy, making them very relatable to the young people attending the event and allowing them to share their own experiences of apprenticeships and careers in engineering.

It was a successful but busy day, with plenty of conversations and activities taking place throughout. The level of engagement from the students was fantastic, although it certainly reminded us just how many pupils there are at the academy.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the day such a success. As part of our ongoing partnership with the school, Warren will also be welcoming four Year 10 students for work experience placements this July, continuing our commitment to supporting and inspiring the next generation.

Supporting the future of engineering at West Suffolk College

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On Monday 9th February, Richard, Our Founder Owner was delighted to attend the grand opening of the Gene Haas Foundation Centre at West Suffolk College in Bury St Edmunds.

The event marked a brilliant start to National Apprenticeship Week 2026 and celebrated the launch of a state-of-the-art Engineering and Manufacturing suite. The new centre represents far more than upgraded facilities – it reflects a shared commitment to developing the engineering workforce of the future.

Apprenticeships play a vital role in our industry. They provide individuals with the opportunity to earn while they learn, gaining practical experience alongside the technical skills that businesses genuinely need. As a company that works closely with apprentices and values hands-on development, it was inspiring to see these opportunities brought to life in such an impressive space.

The opening was made even more special by the presence of Kathy L., Executive Director of the Gene Haas Foundation, who travelled over 5,000 miles to attend. The facility was officially opened alongside Lady Clare Euston, making it a proud moment for the college and its partners.

We are fortunate to work alongside forward-thinking education providers and businesses that share the same vision – investing time, expertise and belief into apprenticeships and long-term skills development.

At Warren, we understand that today’s apprentices are tomorrow’s engineers, technicians and leaders. Supporting initiatives like this helps ensure our industry continues to grow, innovate and thrive here in Suffolk and beyond.

Bury St Edmunds rickshaws – community support on wheels

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The photo below captures just some of the dedicated volunteers behind Bury St Edmunds Rickshaws, a brilliant local initiative making a real difference in the town.

Both the Bridgman and Ross families have personally sponsored one of the rickshaws for several years, helping the project grow and thrive. Today, the group operates six rickshaws and supports the community in a variety of ways, which includes offering free rides around the town for elderly and infirm residents, as well as collecting surplus food and donated goods from local shops, supermarkets and businesses.

All items collected are passed on to charities supporting people in need, including those experiencing homelessness and local food banks. It’s a practical, people-focused approach that combines kindness, sustainability and community spirit.

Expanding the idea to Thetford

Richard Bridgman explained how the success of the project sparked a new idea.

Inspired by how well the scheme works in Bury St Edmunds, he began exploring the possibility of launching a similar initiative in Thetford. Earlier this year, Breckland Council purchased the first rickshaw for the town, marking an important first step.

Support is already in place, with Keystone Trust agreeing to help run the Rickshaw Project from their Riversdale Centre. While there are still challenges and processes to work through before it becomes fully operational, the foundations are firmly being put in place.

Watch this space

As plans develop, volunteers will be needed across a range of roles to help bring the Thetford Rickshaw Project to life – drivers and coordinators along with support roles behind the scenes, there will be plenty of opportunities to get involved.

To learn more about the Bury St Edmunds project, visit bserickshaw.org.uk. Further updates on the Thetford initiative will be shared as plans progress.

Taking Flight on STEM Experience Day

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On Thursday 30th October, we were delighted to host a STEM Experience Day at our Brickfields site in partnership with ACE and Saxon Air. The Norwich-based aviation company, known for their private jet and helicopter charters, brought along a range of exciting, hands-on activities designed to inspire the next generation of engineers and aviators.

Upstairs at Brickfields, students got stuck into online flight simulators equipped with realistic controls, giving them a taste of what it’s like to pilot an aircraft. They also took part in a wire locking workshop, learning about the importance of precision engineering in aviation before having a go at creating their own wire lock examples – with expert guidance from the Saxon Air team.

Meanwhile, other groups headed outdoors for two more aviation-themed challenges. In a secure tent, students tested their skills in a drone challenge, flying small drones through a figure-of-eight obstacle course and landing on miniature drums. It was a fun and competitive way to learn about drone technology, the rules around flying them and their growing role in engineering and aviation.

Next up was the cockpit simulator, featuring two large monitors and a life-size replica of a plane cockpit. Each student took a turn at the controls of an all-electric aircraft, taking off, climbing to altitude, flying around the O2 and then attempting to land safely (with varying levels of success)!

To round off the day, the group explored the topic of flight safety. Saxon Air demonstrated how to put on survival suits and life jackets, explaining the features that make them vital in emergencies and why they’re mandatory for certain flights.

It was fantastic to see every participant fully engaged, asking thoughtful questions and getting involved in each part of the experience.

A big thank you goes to Jed for hosting site tours and to Estee for coordinating the day. Also to the team at Saxon Air for bringing aviation to life for our visitors. We’re proud to have played a part in inspiring young people to think about the many exciting career paths in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

STEM Experience – 30th October 2025

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We’re excited to announce that we will be hosting a STEM Experience on Thursday 30th October 2025, right here in Thetford!

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, and this event is all about giving young people the chance to explore these fascinating fields in a real-life manufacturing environment.

The session will take place at our Brickfields Way site in Thetford (IP24 1HX) from 10.00am to 2.00pm, and is open to students aged 13–18 years. With just 15 places available, it’s a brilliant opportunity for young people who are curious about how things are designed, made and tested.

Participants will need to bring a packed lunch, and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis – so if you have a son, daughter, sibling or friend aged 13–18 who might be interested, encourage them to register them.

REGISTER HERE

We’re proud to support STEM learning and help inspire the next generation of engineers, technicians and innovators.

We look forward to welcoming the group later this month for what promises to be a fun and inspiring day of discovery!

Take a look at the STEM Experience flyer below.

Inspiring the Next Generation on National Manufacturing Day 2025

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After the success of last year’s National Manufacturing Day, we knew we had to do it again – only bigger and better! This year, we were thrilled to welcome even more young people through our doors for another day of hands-on learning and discovery in the world of modern manufacturing.

We hosted six classes from different schools across the region, with group sizes ranging from 30 to 65 students. Their day began with visits to Boniface and Peerless Plastics before making their way to our sites for the final part of their tour.

At our Fison Way site, Ella and Richard led the tours, introducing students to the fascinating world of welding – especially our robot welder, which was a huge hit! They also watched demonstrations in the Quality Room, saw the Bystronic laser and water jet in action, and got a close look at our turning and milling processes.

Over at Brickfields, Jed, Sophie and Will took over, giving classes a glimpse into our production work on Sapphire balconies and other current projects. There was even time for some fun, with students building their very own Warren Lego figures!

For many of the children, it was their first time stepping inside a factory and seeing the machines and technology that bring real engineering projects to life. The curiosity and enthusiasm they showed throughout the tours were fantastic – and their teachers and school staff told us how valuable and inspiring the experience was.

A huge thank you goes to Will, Richard, Ella, Jed, Sophie, Suzie, Louis and Gavin for their brilliant support with tours and demonstrations, and to everyone across both sites who helped make the day run so smoothly.

We received lots of great feedback (and some excellent questions!) from the students and it was a pleasure to see so many young minds excited about engineering and manufacturing. We’re already looking forward to welcoming students next year!

Bringing Thetford’s Train Planter to Life

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At Warren, it’s great to be part of projects that contribute meaningfully to the communities around us. We are delighted to have played a key role in the creation of Thetford’s striking new train-themed planter – an installation that celebrates 200 years of railway heritage.

Commissioned by Thetford Town Council, the train planter is a centrepiece of the town’s entry into Anglia in Bloom 2025. Located outside Thetford’s Carnegie building and complementing the newly created Boudicca Pocket Park, this imaginative installation has been designed to brighten the town centre and provide a lasting feature for residents and visitors to enjoy.

The concept originated with Thetford Town Council, who envisioned a standout tribute to the region’s railway history as part of this year’s Anglia in Bloom campaign. The Council approached Warren to transform this idea into reality – and we were delighted to help.

Working from designs developed in partnership with talented students from Thetford Academy’s Gardening Club and refined by local designer David Bradley using detailed CAD drawings, our team fabricated and manufactured the planter here at Warren.

Once fabrication was complete, local volunteer El’s Painting & Decorating joined forces with Town Council members to hand-paint the planter. The project came full circle when the students from the Gardening Club returned to work alongside the Town Team to plant a colourful display, supported by flowers purchased through the Thetford in Bloom fund.

The train as a ‘work in progress’ on site here at Warren

Councillor Leuan Evans, Chair of Thetford Town Council’s Community and Environmental Services Committee, captured the spirit of the project perfectly:

“By partnering with local manufacturers, school children, and volunteers from the community, we have created something that not only brightens our town but also reflects the pride we share in our community. As part of our entry for Anglia in Bloom 2025, this project showcases our collective commitment to supporting the town, highlighting local talent, and highlighting the civic pride that exists within the Town. We are aiming for nothing less than gold at this year’s awards. Everyone involved in the project has worked hard together to make this happen, and the result is a testament to this.”

We look forward to seeing the train planter become a much-loved fixture in Thetford for many years to come.

Celebrating 10 years of Dmitrijs Ahundovs at Warren

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This month we’re proud to celebrate 10 years of hard work, dedication and growth from one of our valued team members, Dmitrijs Ahundovs.

Dmitrijs first joined Warren through an employment agency, working the night shift with very little prior engineering experience. He later moved over to the twilight shift, and it didn’t take long before we recognised his potential and offered him a permanent position.

From day one, Dmitrijs showed a willingness to learn and a natural ability to pick things up quickly. He settled in brilliantly and has made an impression on everyone with his focus, precision and positive attitude.

Danny Goodman, who was running the shift at the time, played a key role in training Dmitrijs during those early months. But it wasn’t long before Dmitrijs took ownership of his development. Originally brought in as an operator, he has steadily built his skills – and today, he is confidently programming his own work and using all of the measuring equipment with ease.

His attention to detail, tidiness and consistently high quality of work make him a standout team member and a great example of what can be achieved with the right mindset and support.

Thank you, Dmitrijs, for 10 fantastic years.