Interview With Alan Maule, Production Engineer
Our staff are incredibly important to us at Celab, their expertise and skills are what makes our business successful and innovative in the custom power supply field. This month, we’re celebrating our 50th anniversary and we’ll be interviewing team members to understand what their roles are, how life at Celab has changed and their expectations for the future.
First up is Alan Maule, Production Engineer.
Introduce yourself – your name, background, role and how long you have worked at Celab?
Hello, my name is Alan Maule. I have worked at Celab for 28 years this year. I have worked in electronics pretty much since I left school. I am a prototype wireman and I also get involved with some production engineering.
Can you remember your first day – what were you driving, wearing, and eating for lunch and how are they different from today?
My first day was a long time ago! My wife (Mandy) was already working at Celab so, fortunately, I knew quite a few people who worked here. I was not nervous, although it was bit daunting as the company was much bigger than places I had worked previously.
At the time I was driving a lovely gold coloured Ford Sierra Ghia which remains one of my favourite cars that I have owned. I now have a Vauxhall Mokka after owning an Astra for 13 years.
What do you enjoy most about working at Celab?
I enjoy working at Celab as there is a variety of jobs to do and some of them can be rather challenging. I also like the camaraderie that exists between all staff members.
What is one of the most memorable moments from working at Celab so far?
My most memorable moment is having my name called out in the Christmas raffle!
How has working at Celab helped your career development?
Since I started here, I have gained a much better understanding of winding magnetics, as I had only a small amount of previous experience. In my role as a production engineer, working at Celab has helped me to understand how some of the equipment works.
I have also learned how to use a 3D drafting program, PaintShop Pro, and have increased my general knowledge of using Microsoft software. My understanding of circuit diagrams has improved no end, thanks to lots of help from the electrical engineers.
Tell us your biggest accomplishments since starting your role with Celab?
I suppose my biggest accomplishment is being made a production engineer after many years working as a wireman. Lately, I have been given the opportunity to return to working on prototypes, which I am thoroughly enjoying.
What was the biggest ‘lesson learnt’ in your career?
I would say the biggest lesson I have learnt through my career is not to hold the soldering iron at the hot end!
What are the biggest changes you’ve seen in electronics manufacturing over the years?
When I started in electronics, I was building music amplifiers using valves and sleeved tinned copper wire. Nowadays, we have minute surface mount components and much smaller, much more reliable components. There is also a lot more automated equipment in the workshop.
What are the challenges faced by electronics manufacturing and custom power design currently?
There are currently some great difficulties in sourcing some components, with manufacturers’ lead times extending out for many months. This, of course, has a knock-on effect in manufacturing where we have assemblies that are partially built waiting for stock to arrive to be able to complete those jobs.
How do you think the electronics manufacturing market will change in the next 10 years?
Electronics is going to evolve even more in the future, with even smaller components that can do so much more than they can now. It will be another challenge for designers and assemblers alike.
Contact Celab Today
Celab’s expert staff all work together to create long-lasting rugged custom power solutions for use on land, in the air and at sea. Discover more about our power supply products or speak to a friendly member of the team about your requirements today.