Dr Stephen Jenkins - Laboratory Manager and Surface Analysis Expert

I have a Degree (Hons) in Materials Technology which included working for Duracell and GKN and PhD involving development of XPS instrumentation to understand a paint / substrate interfacial system. After a short contract at NPL working for Martin Seah, I joined VG Scientific (XPS and AES instrument manufacturer) as an Applications Scientist. I then moved on to work as a surface analytical specialist in the Physical Failure Analysis department of Siemens Microelectronics (DRAM semiconductor wafer manufacturing) and then finally to Philips Blackburn (thermionic cathode manufacture) as a development engineer where I have brought in a whole range of surface analysis instrumentation to solve materials and production problems both in cathodes, customers factories and outside the organisation for completely different types of product.

I have over 15 years experience in a large range of industries, the use of problem solving, project management, decision making tools and have travelled widely on business over my working career.

In addition to my Laboratory Technical Manager responsibilities, my role for LPD lab services is both to handle the first contact with customers evaluating their requirements and the labs response to them, issue quotations as well as act as the technical surface analysis expert.

Mike Ellicott CChem MRSC - Senior Applications Scientist - Laboratory Quality Manager

I gained a very practical degree (GRSC Part II) in Chemistry at Preston Polytechnic, and have held the professional qualification of Chartered Chemist (C.Chem) and Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (MRSC) since 1991.

My industrial experience has been gained over 20 years at companies such as ICI, Chorley ROF (MQAD), BTP Cocker Chemicals, Whitbread, MITRE Sci-Tech Services, Wolstenholme International and finally LPD Laboratory Services. I have also studied for a Certificate in Industrial Management at Preston Polytechnic, and gained the Associate Membership Examination of the Institute of Brewing.

The roles I have taken on are as diverse as Laboratory Technician, Research Chemist, Pilot Brewery Scientist, Process Development Scientist, Packaging Development Engineer, Project Leader - Chemist, and Senior Applications Scientist.

My problem solving skills have developed by traditional approaches & by novel Synetics methodology. I am a proven inventor, having one patent for a dissolved nitrogen analyzer under my belt.

I am now part of a very experienced team at LPD Laboratory Services, mainly working in a customer facing role as a Senior Applications Scientist dedicated to giving our customers cost effective solutions to their problems, on-time and within budget. My responsibilities within LPD Lab Services also include acting as the Laboratory Quality Manager looking after UKAS accreditation as well as customer liaison and quotation preparation.

Keith Raper - Senior Scientist - SEM, EDX and XRF Expert

I graduated from Liverpool University in 1978 with a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry with Metallurgy and Materials Science, before working as a research assistant at the University studying the effects of high temperature corrosion on corrosion resistant coatings on nickel based super-alloy materials, developing a knowledge of electron microscopy and microprobe analysis.

I joined Philips Components (formerly Mullards) in 1984 as an analyst in the laboratory, but soon took over responsibility for production problem solving work using the electron microscope, EDX and x-ray fluorescence analysis.

I developed expertise on problems associated with a wide range of materials and manufacturing processes, since the factory produced several different products, including thermionic cathodes for TV tubes, CD's and video discs (including a full master and stamper making facility), spiralised tungsten and molybdenum wire (with production from ore to finished product), glass delay lines, flat foil capacitors, write-once recordable laser discs and fibre optic coupling devices.

In addition to this, I have undertaken problem solving and analysis work for other UK, European, American and Far East factories in the organisation, manufacturing glass screens, metal masks, TV tubes, magnetic deflection cores and rare-earth magnets, as well as for several local companies manufacturing a range of metal products and components, printed circuit boards, powder chemicals etc.

My role in LPD Lab Services is that of SEM, EDX and XRF expert, and I am frequently asked to join both local and international teams set up to investigate manufacturing problems.

Alan Wicks - Works Chemist and Senior Analyst - FTIR, GC, HPLC, AAS, Analysis Development. - Health Safety and Environment Consultant

I Graduated from Salford university in 1978 with a BSc(Hons) in applied chemistry, specialising in Analytical chemistry in the fourth year. I have been a member of the Philips analytical laboratory since November 1978, when a wide range of manufacturing units were present on the Blackburn site. I have experience in many fields, including plating, etching, plastics, metals and metallurgy, photo curing lacquers, organic analysis, health safety and environmental analysis. I act as hazardous materials adviser, environmental adviser, am a trained COSHH assessor and act as noise and radiation adviser. I have experience of the applications of all the analytical equipment on site and its application to new and novel analysis methods. I am an adviser on chemical processing and the development of new or alternative chemical processes.

Susan Beardwood - Analytical chemist

I commenced working for the site (formerly Mullard) direct from school (1978). Qualified to HNC level, through apprenticeship/day release study program. I have a broad and varied practical knowledge, and experience in both wet chemical techniques and analytical instrumentation. Some of which include, Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy, UV spectroscopy, Gas Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid Chromatography.

In addition to my HNC I have also completed an Open University degree (June 2000).

Tim Lee - Senior Engineer - Industrialisation and Projects

I graduated from Liverpool University in 1982 with an BEng(Hons) in Engineering Science.  I initially joined UB foods ltd as a Graduate Trainee and spent five years in a high volume continuous flow manufacturing operation of before moving to Philips Components Blackburn (formerly Mullards) as an Improvement Engineer.

I have subsequently worked for 21 years supporting Manufacturing, in Quality Assurance and Quality Management and in Process and Product Development. As such I have experience in working with cataphoretic coating and spray processes, glass to metal sealing, metal component pressing and processing and the high volume automated assembly of micro components using laser welding. I remain the site expert for cathode spraying and was a key player in the full automation of that process.

Our site has supplied products to European, American and Far East factories in the organisation and I have worked with many of these customers on quality related issues and improvements and have travelled extensively as a result.

Whilst in Development, I ran an comprehensive series of competitor benchmarking activities combining visual attributes, dimensional studies, materials analysis, physical properties and functional performance studies.

In recent years I have been dedicated to a series of major new-product ramp up projects, industrialising processes and developing robust systems for volume manufacturing. I am a certified six sigma green belt.

In March 2008, I joined the laboratory team and am now working on the technical customer facing side of the business. As such I am a first contact with the Customer and my role is to assess and understand the Customer’s real requirements, to issue appropriate quotations and once accepted, to project manage the larger jobs through to completion. My scope is to focus upon projects that require improved / robust measuring systems, mechanical testing, process development, industrialisation and ramp up and / or structured problem solving.

Francis Woodward - Environmental, Health and Safety Manager and Asbestos Surveyor

I have a Masters Degree (MSc) in Occupational Health and Safety awarded by Loughborough University which included a vast research project involving Asbestos. I also hold a NEBOSH diploma in Occupational Health and Safety and have been a corporate member of the Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (IOSH) since the mid 1990s. I am now a chartered member of IOSH and hold the status of Chartered Health and Safety Practitioner. I have been involved in health and safety since the late 1980s with most of my experience being in Engineering and Electronics manufacturing companies. I have performed planning supervisor duties under the Construction Design and Management regulations on many occasions and have advised companies importing machinery about CE marking requirements.

I have vast experience of the Environmental Management System standard ISO 14001, having first implemented an accredited system in 1997 and have experience managing projects involving IPPC permits, waste management and license surrender and contaminated land.

Steve Aspinall - Head of Metrology

I have been Head of Metrology since 1995. The small dept has an extensive range of dimensional measurement equipment that is used for both calibration and dedicated measurement requirements.

Before taking over my present role, I have gained many years experience in precision mechanical engineering. I started work at Philips in 1978 as an apprentice and went on to work in the Toolroom as a toolmaker. From there I worked for 2 years in a new Fibre Optic Development group designing processes and equipment to manufacture & assembly fibre optic splitters for the telecom industry.

In 1986 I moved into a joint venture between Philips & Dupont which manufactured Compact Discs. I was responsible for introducing a computerised maintenance system, introduction of new equipment and looking after the factories calibration requirements.

As well as my Metrology experience, I now have responsibility for the factories ISO 9000 quality assurance system on site and I am a qualified auditor. The department is involved in many aspects of engineering from calibration, problem solving, inspection of high precision engineering spares to the development of product specifications.