We have joined forces with Design Innovation in Plastics (DIP) to provide a valuable work experience package for a finalist in next year’s competition.
Rutland Plastics, an award-winning specialist of 70 years standing in the industry, is offering the two-week placement to bring one lucky finalist to its superb facility in Rutland, in the East Midlands. There they will get to see and experience all aspects of the company’s full range of injection moulding services including mouldflow analysis, prototyping, mould-making and the manufacturing process itself.
Established in 1956, Rutland is an injection moulder of quality bespoke products for a wide variety of industries ranging from utilities to consumer and healthcare. It employs over 160 people at its 6100 square metre factory and has a wide range of moulding machines, including one of the biggest trade moulding machines in the UK.
Technical director, Simon Grainger, said: “We are very proud of what we do and would not have been able to build the business without the support of our talented and enthusiastic workforce. Supporting young talent through placements, apprenticeships and training is a key part of that and is vitally important for the wider industry here in the UK. Being involved with DIP fits perfectly with that ethos, so we look forward to being involved with the competition as it progresses.”
DIP chairman, Martin Sixsmith, said: “We are delighted to welcome Rutland Plastics into the DIP fold. The work placement being offered will provide valuable insights about the world of plastics manufacturing, in particular the practical implications of the way products are designed and the manufacturing costs. This is important to us, as we do strive to give as much help as we can to students wishing to make their way into the world of design and manufacture.”
DIP 2027 is currently underway, with the new brief now online. The competition is open to university undergraduates all over the UK and Ireland. Entries for the competition will need to be submitted by March 13, 2027, in preparation for preliminary judging on March 27.
The competition is the longest running of its kind in Europe, and is supported by The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, The Worshipful Company of Horners and headline industry sponsor, Covestro, as well as a range of supporting organisations from the world of design and industry.
