CCP Gransden Ltd has received support from INvest NI under the European Unions’ Investment for Growth and Jobs Programme.  The project(s) recorded on the ERDF beneficiaries’ website will be implemented over the next 2.5 years, undertaking research and development activities aimed at improving the competitiveness of the business.

CCP Gransden has developed and manufactured a lightweight composite streamlining casing for the Project Velocity motorcycle for Larne man Sam Marsden.

Mr Marsden, who is a Queen’s University engineering graduate, has been working for the past five years on the development of the motorcycle to attempt to break the 1000cc world land speed record at the famous Bonneville Salt Flats in the US.

CCP Gransden director Robert McConnell said: “Sam had been looking around the whole of Ireland to find a company that would have the technology and skills to develop this vital part of the motorcycle.

“We were delighted to take up the challenge to develop a superlight yet strong casing that would give Sam the streamlined shape required to fit over the motorcycle for the record attempt.”

Mr Marsden came up with the idea as part of his degree. His attempt was delayed this year due to poor weather, but he hopes to make the attempt next year.

“This was a massive undertaking and a challenge for CCP Gransden, and I am delighted with the end result,” he said.

“I have had amazing support from them, and indeed other local firms who supported the project.

“They have all shared in my enthusiasm and vision that we can bring a world land speed record to Northern Ireland.”

Mr McConnell added: “The strength of the local composites engineering sector is evidenced by our, and indeed other engineering firms’ involvement, in this innovate project.

“SMEs like us are the backbone of the industry here and we will continue to invest in machinery and research and development to build on this reputation.”

Belfast Telegraph

For two months this summer, CCP Gransden has hosted Víctor Gómez Torralba, an Industrial Engineer from Spain. Victor has now returned to Spain, where he will start a master degree, and complete his studies. Victor’s role with CCP was Research & Development engineering intern. His focus was to support a research program in further developing CCP Gransden’s filament winding capabilities. We wish Victor every success for the future.

In September 2016, Katharina joined us from Austria for a three-week work placement. As Marketing Executive her role was to provide marketing development to further promote the company by managing and improving our various marketing outlets.  CCP Gransden would like to wish Katharina every success in the future.

Matthew McCullough, (Senior Design Engineer) from CCP Gransden recently represented the firm at an Advanced Composites Conference held in Belfast. CCP Gransden was just one of two companies asked to share their experiences of collaborative research carried out through NIACE, (the Northern Ireland Advanced Composites Engineering Centre) of which CCP Gransden is a participant member.

The advanced engineering conference gave local SME engineering firms an opportunity to interact with key influencers from Northern Ireland and further afield, outlining their business capabilities, researching ideas and discussing their vision for the future direction of the sector.

The event was organised by NIACE, which is an industry-led research and development facility, supporting business growth by allowing participant companies the opportunity to collaborate on projects and apply for and access research funding that wouldn’t be possible on their own. CCP Gransden has been an active participant in the centre since 2014.

NIACE itself has been collaborating with a similar organisation in Bristol, the National Composites Centre (NCC) which also focusses on accelerating innovation in industrial R&D.

Over 20 Northern Irish businesses, as well as a selection of companies from the Republic, attended the conference which consisted of presentations from NIACE, the NCC, Invest NI, as well as real life case study examples from CCP Gransden and Denroy.

Matthew commented after the event, “We are delighted to have been able to share our experience with like-minded organisations. Through this project, which was part funded by the NATEP program, together with Comco Plastics, we have been able to reach out to the aerospace primes whilst developing our capability in the manufacture of thermoplastic composites. The outcomes of this project will not only improve our offering to the industry but has given our customers insight to this cost efficient manufacturing process and the potential to develop new high performance products. Our success has been enhanced through proactive collaboration.”

Dr. Scott King, General Manager of the NIACE Centre said, “Exploring collaborative opportunities isn’t something that Northern Irish industries do on a regular basis, so we are still very much at the experimental stages. The NCC recognises the expertise and potential of advanced engineering firms in Ireland. Their interest and attendance at the conference, and consequent positive feedback is a true endorsement of the talent, vision and commitment of the advanced engineering sector here.”

They are pictured with the Project Velocity motorcycle, a venture CCP Gransden has been working on with a local entrepreneur and engineer in an attempt to break the 1000cc world land speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats USA later this year. CCP developed the lightweight composite streamliner for the motorcycle.

Ballygowan based engineering firm, CCP Gransden recently sponsored a youth football tournament hosted by Ballyvea FC. The tournament which took place outside Kilkeel attracted a variety of teams of all ages under 14 from across the whole of County Down. As well as the knock out football competition in each age group, there were bouncy castles, BBQ, pony rides, skill competitions for all attendees and their families to enjoy. CCP Gransden Director Robert McConnell attended the event, and presented the prizes to the winning teams. He said, “CCP Gransden is a local firm employing local people and we are delighted to be supporting the local community in this way. Congratulations to all the teams who took part, and particularly to the winning teams from each group.” Robert  is pictured with Lisburn team Lower Maze after presenting them with their medals.

Due to significant expansion of our manufacturing facility, we are seeking to recruit a number of key personnel, namely:-

• BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER (closing date 01/07/2016)
• RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER (closing date 08/07/2016)
• ENGINEERING APPRENTICE (closing date 08/07/2016)
• TEMPORARY COMPOSITES OPERATOR (on going)

Full details of role responsibilities and criteria for each position can be found on the attachment:

Jobs June 2016

To apply for any of the above positions please send your CV and covering letter stating which job you wish to apply for by any of the following means:-

Email:  michelle@ccp-gransden.com

Post or In Person:  CCP Gransden Limited, 17 Moss Road, Ballygowan, Newtownards, BT23 6JQ

At the Institute of Directors Annual Lunch on the 16^th October 2015 at the Hilton Belfast, CCP Gransden Director, Robert McConnell, received his IoD Diploma in Company Direction.

After 10 months of hard work, study and development, along with his 2014/2015 classmates, Robert was pleased to receive the qualification from IoD NI Chairman Paul Terrington. The guest speaker on the day was the famed journalist and ex-cyclist Paul Kimmage, renowned for his exposé 25 years ago on the performance enhancing drug taking culture within professional cycling. Speeches were also given by the IoD Director Linda Brown, and the chairman Paul Terrington, before the main event – the lunch and prize draw

Newcastle Nomads proudly display their new kit with the CCP Gransden logo.

Good Luck for the season