News Article
Introducing Cubik EPS: A new chapter for Cubik Innovation

We are pleased to introduce Cubik Electronic Product Support (EPS). This strategic expansion offers expert support in compliance testing, certification, and electronic product development.

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News Article
Choosing the right electronics manufacturing partner

Discover key factors to consider when choosing an electronics manufacturing partner. Learn how Cubik Innovation’s expertise, quality, and flexibility can help bring your product to life on time and within budget.

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News Article
Jake's Apprenticeship Journey

We catch up with our Apprentice Production Engineer, Jake, to talk about his journey, the challenges he's faced and what he's learned along the way.

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Case Study
Kiwa

Kiwa's Hot Swage Joint Analyser, a critical tool used to measure corrosion and ensure the structural safety of streetlight columns, relied on outdated parts and components that were no longer available.

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Case Study
EarSwitch

EarSwitch is a wearable device for people with severe neurological conditions like MND. It detects ear movements, enabling users to control devices and communicate despite limited motor skills.

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Case Study
Target Darts

The Virt is a cutting-edge two-way camera IoT device that delivers a new era of connectivity for darts players and fans alike.

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News Article
Cyber Essentials Plus recertified for 2024/25

We are delighted to announce that we have been awarded the Cyber Essentials Plus certification for a sixth year, demonstrating our commitment to cyber security.

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News Article
Developing a product for market readiness

Speed to market is critical to the success of a product. We look at how you can develop a product with market readiness in mind to avoid delays and loss of a competitive edge.

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News Article
Paul Mullen appoints Sam Beard as Co-Director of Cubik Innovation

Cubik Innovation is delighted to announce that Sam Beard has been appointed as Operations Director.

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Case Study
Kiwa

Kiwa are leaders in testing, inspection, certification and data services to a global customer base across a variety of market segments, including construction, utilities and public safety. Their hot swage joint analyser is used to measure the level of corrosion at the swage joint area of a streetlight column to determine its structural safety.

THE CHALLENGE

Kiwa approached Cubik for help with an existing product that was at risk of becoming unmanufacturable. Originally designed in the 1990’s, their hot swage joint analyser called for parts and components that had become obsolete since its inception.

Their objectives were to update the design to create a modern, handheld version and manufacture five new units, complete with full data pack including electronic design files and a software source file.

It was vital that the new design measured and calculated results in the same way as the existing device so that historic testing data could be inherited by the new instrument, without having to define new safety classifications.

THE SOLUTION

The process began with reverse engineering the circuit and sourcing alternative components for the obsolete ones. We ran tests to understand how the device measured, inferring the method of operation and calculating results to fit those produced by the existing device. We then built a prototype breadboard version that allowed us to recreate the device’s operation and generate measurable results.

Using the output from our investigations, we created a custom PCB design and developed software to manage the system and record and present results via a digital display. Finally, we benchmarked the results against the existing device to ensure the results were consistent.

THE IMPACT

The hot swage joint analyser is one of the main tools used by Kiwa’s technicians to annually inspect and assess the structural integrity of over 130,000 lighting columns across the UK and Ireland, helping to ensure the safety of the public. As well as offering amore modern and functional aesthetic, the new design eliminates the immediate risk of obsolescence and creates a platform for further units to be built to support the scaling of the business.

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Case Study
EarSwitch

Dr. Nick Gompertz created EarSwitch a wearable device that has the capability to change the lives of people with severe neurological conditions such as Motor Neuron Disease (MND). This in-ear innovation detects motion from one of the smallest muscles in the body, the tensor tympani, giving users the power to communicate and control their environment.

THE CHALLENGE

The Earswitch system comprises of an in-ear sensor and a processing unit that translates the information collected by the sensor and generates Bluetooth or USB data that is sent to the user's device. Nick and his team needed a multi-disciplinary team to help them develop their revolutionary device into a commercially viable product that satisfies strict medical regulations.

THE SOLUTION

Throughout the project we worked collaboratively with several stakeholders including our colleagues in The Product Partnership. This enabled us to support Nick and the team from initial concept through to prototyping and into low volume manufacture for field trials.

For our part, we designed and developed a system architecture for the in-ear module and interface whilst keeping manufacturability in mind. The design was technically challenging and required miniaturisation of the in-ear module to ensure it fit the compact device, without compromising on quality and precision.

Once the device was ready, we assisted with regulatory approval including Electromagnetic Capability (EMC) and Medical Device Safety EN 60601-1.

THE IMPACT

EarSwitch is ground-breaking medical technology that will change the lives of people suffering with neurological impairments. It offers a transformational opportunity for people with the most severe communication restrictions to have a voice, take control of their environment and choose how to live their lives.

EarSwitch has been recognised innovative technology, winning numerous awards and securing significant investment.

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Case Study
Target Darts

Target Darts is a leader in darts equipment and sponsors some of the biggest names in the game including Luke Littler and Rob Cross. Their latest product creates a new category of connected IoT devices bringing the skill and excitement of the game to homes at the touch of a button.

The Virt Camera is a two-way camera system that allows users to play competitive darts against a global online community. It's front facing camera lets you opponent watch your throw, while the dartboard facing camera allows them to see your dart land in real time, high-definition video.

THE CHALLENGE

Target Darts approached Cubik with a prototype of their new product and asked us to conduct a design review that focussed on design for manufacture and supply. The Virt needed to stream two live video feeds to a remote server and an app that would configure and score the game. The biggest challenge was fitting the amount of tech needed into a sleek, compact design whilst maintaining a high-quality video feed.

THE SOLUTION

As part of the design review, we produced a low volume build of the existing prototype to test and analyse. Using the output, we made design recommendations to improve performance and streamline the manufacturability of the product.

Getting the camera tech right was a big piece of the puzzle. Our team carried out extensive research and testing to select the best camera component. We then designed and built a bespoke PCB that enabled the camera to interact with off the shelf components to bring the whole system together.

THE IMPACT

With a refreshed design that employed design for manufacture principles, we went on to  successfully support Target Darts through the regulatory certification process and achieved CE, UKCA and FCC approval.

The result, a market ready product that is now available to purchase: https://bit.ly/40fuW5k

You can download the DartCounterapp on IOS and Android.

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Case Study
IZLID

The IZLID is a compact, lightweight infrared laser device used by the military as a command pointer for target marking and communicating with aircraft. It is small enough to fit into the user’s pocket, or attach to their belt for quick access, offering swift guidance to ground personnel over a range of 39km.

THE CHALLENGE

Close Air Solutions (CAS) asked Cubik to design a simulator that replicated the look and feel of the IZLID’s aesthetics, ergonomics and user functions, without the infrared beam. The IZLID simulator needed to connect to CAS simulation system via a single USB lead and return data back to the simulation system.

THE IMPACT

The IZLID simulator is used in classroom based military training to help soldiers gain knowledge and experience of how it would behave in a real-world application. Simulation is a critical part of military training allowing soldiers to experience realistic scenarios in a virtual world, improving their decision making and readiness for combat situations.

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Case Study
Reskube

The Reskube offers a simple solution providing access to both continuous power and uninterruptible internet connectivity for itself and any connected devices during a power outage. It’s sleek and portable design means that it can be used in a wide range of settings from powering a home office to life saving medical equipment. This intelligent device has the capability to detect and resolve issues before they become a problem.

THE CHALLENGE

With our friends at Bang Creations delivering the mechanical design, we were brought on board to design and build the system architecture and support the product through regulatory certification. We worked closely with Bang to ensure the electronic system fit the custom enclosure without compromising on quality and performance.

THE IMPACT

Designed with critical remote workers in mind the Reskube gives users the confidence to work from any location without fear of disruption. Outside of the home, Reskube maintains continuous operations during outages for small sites such as retail stores, construction sites, doctor's surgeries, and primary schools, ensuring that critical systems and equipment remain operational. Additionally, it offers the added benefit of remote monitoring and management. In global regions where power outages are commonplace the Reskube offers a source of reliability and resilience in an environment with unpredictable connectivity.

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Case Study
Switchee

Bristol & London based company, Switchee Ltd developed a smart thermostat solution aimed at reducing energy bills in social housing. The intelligent device learns the routine of the household, detects when the house is not occupied and turns the heating on or off accordingly. The device allows valuable data to be gathered remotely reducing the requirement for complex interaction or configuration from the user.

THE CHALLENGE

Switchee approached Cubik for help with the development of the software drivers which allow the operating system to communicate with the hardware. This quickly evolved into a larger scheme of work that incorporated the printed circuit board (PCB) design, prototype manufacture and firmware development.

THE IMPACT

Switchee is the first internet-connect device in social housing. It delivers real-time data that gives housing providers the insights and tools they need to proactively support residents and manage homes.

With a Switchee device installed, energy efficiency can be optimised on a case-by-case basis reducing energy waste, lowering heating bills and cutting carbon emissions.

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News Article
Covid-19: A new normal

As the UK starts to work towards a new normal Cubik’s situation is also developing.

With the restrictions starting to ease on manufacturing and construction businesses we can gradually return to more normal working conditions.

On the 1 June, our Senior Management Team returned to the office which will has enabled us to be more efficient at managing each department and the business. It has also given us the opportunity to introduce new measures and review our workspaces to ensure safe distancing between stations.

The remainder of the team will gradually return to the office from the 6 July, but this will be dependent on their personal circumstances such as health issues and childcare. As you all know, our team are at the core of Cubik and we are doing everything we can to support their return to work and ensure that they are comfortable with the new measures.

  • We have introduced hand cleaning stations at the entrance and exit to our facility as well as in high traffic areas. All team members and visitors will be required to wash their hands upon arrival and again on departure.
  • Each member of the team has a safe working environment with a 2m sq. working area. In situations where keeping a 2m sq. distance may not be possible, safety screens will be installed for added protection.
  • We have closed our small meeting room and reduced the capacity of our large meeting room and dining area to ensure that a safe distance can be maintained.
  • Customer meetings and internal meetings will only take place if necessary and we ask that all visitors adhere to our new policies on entering our facility. Details of our COVID-19 policies will be clearly displayed on the front door and throughout the office.
  • We will maintain an increased level of cleaning throughout the office with a focus on high risk areas such as door handles and light switches.
  • Any projects that are impacted because of adjustments that need to be made will be informed as soon as we are aware.

Whilst we are almost back to business as usual at Cubik HQ, we are still taking each day as it comes. We will continue to closely monitor the advice given by the NHS, Department of Health and the Government and will make any necessary adjustments to keep our customers, suppliers, team, and their families safe.

Keep informed and stay safe.

Paul, Sam and the Cubik Team

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News Article
Work Experience Diary: Will Beese

Back in February, we were joined by Will Beese, a student from SGS College in Filton, Bristol who came to Cubik to do a week of work experience. Will was a fantastic addition to the office and scored tops mark from the team for bringing in cakes and biscuits on his first day.

Whilst at Cubik, Will kept a diary of the different activities he got involved with and what he learned. Find out what Will got up to below:

Day One

On my first day of work experience with Cubik, I started the day with Camilla Saunders (Business Manager) who explained a bit about her role.

Camilla explained her responsibilities which include handling Cubik’s finances and human resources departments for the business and explained what she does to look after her staff in the Business Department. I then got to sit in on the Monday Morning Meeting, where the team discuss the progress of every live project. It was interesting, talking through all the ongoing projects and which customers they were meeting through the week. After the meeting, I was back working with Camilla and spent the morning handling invoices.

In the afternoon, I spent some time with Matthew Weatherburn (Senior Project Manager) and Dan Ford (Project Manager) in the Project Management team. I got to see how they operate and how the business organises all the projects into various files. There are so many different files and if a document is misplaced it could take quite a while to find, so it was interesting to see how that is managed. Paul Mullen (Managing Director) then took me through the networking system of the business and all the back-ups for the back-ups (for the back-ups!) to keep their business safe from cyber-attacks. At the end of the day, I spent a bit of time with Jake Mullen fixing issues that any of the machines where having that might leave them vulnerable.

Day Two

I spent my second day of work experience with the Production Team. They took me through how they look to trouble shoot their circuit boards and I then got to trouble shoot some simple ones myself. I really enjoyed doing this as it was very interesting. Even though the boards are often not very big trouble shooting can be immensely complicated, especially if there is a problem. I was then given an old, small circuit board and a few different components. I used a soldering iron to solder the components onto the circuit board. I really enjoyed doing this as I have not had the opportunity to do anything like that before. It was challenging at times, but I enjoyed the challenge. I was pleased that it was an old board because that meant if I messed anything up it would not affect an ongoing project and create more work for someone else.

Day Three

On my third day I spent the day with Paul preparing some of the old machines that had been collected to be redistributed to other countries’ schools. We had to go through all the computers completely clear all the hard drives. Some of the computers we had to physically open to find out why there not working or add a graphics card. I do not have a lot of experience when it comes to the inside of computers, so I found this very interesting and I enjoyed doing this.

Day Four

On my fourth day, I was with Will Goodman (Software Engineer) experimenting with embedded C. I had only used C# before, so it was good to get experience in a coding language that I’ve not used much before. I had to use the code to program a small business card game. On the game, there is a circle of lights and you must press the button on the card to stop it on the top green light. I was taught how it worked and then had to experiment with it. I did make the game almost impossible by the 4 level!

Day 5

On my final day, I spent most of my time with Callum Young (Placement Engineer) learning about Raspberry Pi. I found this particularly interesting because I did not realise that you could get something that small with the capabilities of a computer. Obviously, it is not as powerful, but I was impressed by how much you could do with it. We did several different things with the Raspberry Pi including taking an LED board and making it do various patterns. For the rest of the day, I was given the Raspberry Pi and asked to see what I could do with it. I experimented with making it run a few different things which was good fun!

Overall, I loved my week at Cubik Innovation! I was made really welcome by everyone and was really interested and impressed by the work they do.

To everyone at Cubik, thank you for having me.

Will

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News Article
Covid-19: An update

Like us, you will be aware of the developing situation with COVID-19 and the latest measures that have been implemented.

Whilst we still don’t know what to expect over the next couple of months, we do know that for now we must limit our movements, avoid social contact and work from home wherever possible.

Our aim is still to continue to operate to the best of our ability, whilst maintaining the safety of our customers, suppliers, team and their families and, of course, adhere to the restrictions in place.

  • All customer meetings have been postponed or moved to conferencing facilities. There will be no face to face interactions between Cubik and our customers for the foreseeable.
  • If customers need to collect or drop-off items at Cubik we ask that they to do so from the reception area and do not cross the line into our office space. Cubik employees will not be signing for any parcels at this time.
  • All office-based team members are now fully working from home. This includes our Design, Admin and Project Management teams.
  • A small team of 4 production engineers are based at Cubik HQ as they cannot work from home. They work at least 2 metres apart in adherence with government guidelines. This may impact on lead times to our customers, but we will do our best to keep everyone informed of the lead times for their items.
  • Those that are travelling to the office do not use public transport and are mindful to limit contact with the public outside of working hours.
  • We have increased the level of cleaning of the office with a focus on areas that might harbour bacteria such as door handles etc. Between cleans we also treat these areas with antibacterial product throughout the day. We have plenty of antibacterial soap readily available for those team members on site.
  • Any projects that are impacted as a result of the adjustments that need to be made will be informed as soon as we are aware.

We will continue to keep everyone updated. Keep informed and stay safe.

All the best

Paul, Sam and the Cubik Team

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News Article
An interview: Callum Young, Placement Engineer

Over the past 6 months, we’ve had the pleasure of working with Callum Young, a Placement Engineer on secondment from his day job as a Civil Servant. The placement scheme gives applicants the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skill set away from their work setting to gain essential experience in an operational business within the engineering industry.

As his placement comes to an end, Callum shares his experience and talks about what he has learned during his time as an honorary Cubite.

Tell me a bit about your background, skills and experience?

I studied Electronic and Electrical Engineering for four years at The University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. Since leaving uni, I have worked at an aerospace company as a manufacturing engineer and as an engineer in the public sector. I enjoy working with sensors, microcontrollers, low voltage electronics and software.

Can you explain a bit about the scheme and how it works?

The DE&S Engineering Graduate Scheme is open to applicants from a wide range of engineering and science backgrounds. The scheme is designed to train graduates for a career as a Civil Servant working within the engineering function. Graduates aim to cover the Concept, Assessment, Demonstration, Manufacturing, In-service and Disposal (CADMID) cycle during their first two years. Upon completion of the scheme and gaining enough experience/competency, the graduate will be regraded into an engineering role, responsible for procurement and acquisition within the public sector.

Did you get to choose where you wanted to do your placement?

My first placement was assigned to me. After that was completed, I was given the option to find my own placements. Placements must be justified and approved by management and mentors before you are given permission to attend. Competencies such as design and development cannot be achieved at my workplace which is why we are given the opportunity to complete secondments.

During your time at Cubik, what sort of projects have you been working on?

I have worked on a wide range of projects. My main responsibilities were to carry out the initial research on all products and investigate how the project would be approached. I then costed and documented the different solutions that were possible and met with the customers to discuss the possibilities. I have also been involved with the design work and developing proof of concepts. No two days working at Cubik Innovation were ever the same. On occasions I would be writing software, typing reports, breadboarding circuits and talking with suppliers all in the same day.

What are the benefits of doing a placement with another organisation?

Working with Cubik has been an opportunity to focus purely on my electronic knowledge and experience, taking lessons learned back to my day job. It has been a great chance to see how customer requirements are received by industry, highlighting the difficulties faced and work required to deliver complex systems. Completion of the placement will allow me to become an ‘intelligent customer’ in the procurement of future systems. I now have 6 months experience working at Cubik Innovation, winners of the Best Engineering & Manufacturing Award 2019, which I can add to my CV and use while working towards my incorporated/chartered status within my current role.

What have you learned whilst working at Cubik? Have you gained any new skills?

I have learned how to adapt quickly to new challenges and make use of limited resources to understand complex problems. I have gained confidence in the work I am delivering and how to present myself when dealing with customers. In terms of engineering skills, I learned how to select and make use of electrical components bringing them all together in a system to solve real world problems. I have also gained a significant understanding of Linux based systems and developed my software skills. Given more time I would have liked to learn more about the design software’s used at Cubik, like Altium.

Have you come up against any challenges? If so, how did you tackle them?

Many of the projects at Cubik deal with new and emerging technology, therefore it is unlikely that you will have the knowledge or full skill set required to tackle the problem. Cubik Innovation are excellent at identifying this and allow staff to develop as they tackle the problem. If there is a gap in knowledge, someone else within the office is always able to assist. This level of teamwork allows for projects to be designed, manufactured and delivered to the high standards achieved by Cubik. The team at Cubik Innovation are incredibly agile, willing to take on jobs outside of their usual role. The benefits of this were clearly observable and I will try to carry this quality with me throughout my career.

What has been your favourite thing about working at Cubik?

The staff and engineers at Cubik Innovation are all incredibly clever individuals and it has been a pleasure to work alongside them. Whilst working at Cubik I can honestly say I have learned something new every day. I was given responsibility and trust from day one, representing the business in several different scenarios. When I have needed help and guidance it has always been given to me in what I can only describe as above and beyond by all members of the team. Finally, I would like to mention how great it was to work in a company with standard processes for all tasks.

Speaking about Callum's contribution tot he design team, Design Manager, Phil Potter said:

“Callum has proved to be a very valuable member of the team. He has shown willingness to pick up new tasks and challenges, working on project types which are completely new to him.
Skills he has brought to the team include expertise in coding for the Raspberry Pi, as well as showing a great ability to go and research new subjects and produce research documents for our clients.
He has been a popular member of the team, with a friendly attitude, integrating well and coping well if projects are under pressure.”
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News Article
Cubik Innovation response to COVID-19

Like us, you will be aware of the developing situation with COVID-19.

We don’t know what to expect over the next couple of months, but we have started thinking about what we can do to minimise our risk. Our aim is to continue to operate to the best of our ability, whilst maintaining the safety of our customers, suppliers, staff and their families.

  • We don’t consider the Cubik Innovation team to be particularly high risk. We are keeping external meetings to a minimum and ask all visitors to refrain from shaking hands.
  • Most of our staff are choosing to postpone their holiday plans until things settle down. Anyone who has returned from abroad will work from home for at least 7-10 days following their return to the UK.
  • Very few staff use public transport, opting to make the most of the free on-site parking or a brisk walk to work in the fresh air.
  • Our office environment is self-contained, and our staff are doing a great job at taking extra steps around personal hygiene and washing hands. We sing ‘Happy Birthday’ a lot.
  • We share our building with other responsible companies who are also taking sensible measures to minimise their risk.
  • We have increased the level of cleaning of the office with a focus on areas that might harbour bacteria such as door handles etc. Between cleans we also treat these areas with antibacterial product throughout the day. We have plenty of antibacterial soap readily available for all staff and visitors.
  • Our Business and Design teams are now working from home. Administrative and Project Management staff have had phones installed at their homes so that we can continue to answer your calls and queries as normal. Remote working tools have also been put in place to ensure we can continue to work as effectively and efficiently as possible.
  • Where it could get tricky is our Production department as it can only operate within our in-house manufacturing facility. We will of course maintain Production for as long as we possibly can. If it comes to it, we will reduce the department to skeleton staff. But we must consider our usual Health and Safety protocols to ensure staff safety whilst operating tools and machinery.
  • Any projects that are impacted as a result of adjustments that need to be made will be informed as soon as we are aware.

For now, it’s business as usual at Cubik HQ. We are taking each day as it comes and are closely monitoring the advice given by the NHS, Department of Health and the Government.

If anything changes, we’ll be in touch. Keep informed and stay safe.

All the best

Paul, Sam and the Cubik Team

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News Article
Bristol Business Awards: Category sponsors for a second year

After scooping the award for Best Manufacturing or Engineering Business at last year’s ceremony, we are delighted to announce that we will be back this year as sponsors for this category.

The Business Awards are a fantastic opportunity for local businesses to showcase their achievements to a regional, or national audience regardless of size or industry. It’s a celebration of thriving businesses and business people within the South West region and has become a much anticipated event in the South West business calendar.

Our association with the awards began in 2015 when a young Cubik was awarded Best Start-Up after just 3 years of being in business. Over the years that followed, we quickly became a success story earning praise amongst the local engineering community. Our move from the Bristol and Bath Science Park to Verona House, Fishponds enabled the business to double the size of its manufacturing facility.

In 2019, we were over the moon to return to the awards as category sponsors for Best Tech Business won by local ecommerce specialist, The Pixel. But the highlight of the evening was scooping the Best Manufacturing or Engineering Award firmly placing us as a key player amongst local manufacturers too.

This year, our story continues but this time we are sponsoring the very award that we won. Speaking about Cubik’s continued support of the awards, Paul Mullen said:

“We are delighted to be involved with the Business Awards again this year. It’s a fantastic event that recognises the achievements of some of the very best businesses and businesspeople in the South West. After winning the Best Manufacturing or Engineering Award last year, we are looking forward to passing over the baton to the next worthy winner at this year’s ceremony.”

2019 Winners

Business of the Year
Arthur David

Lifetime Achievement Award
Paul Brown – MHI

Family Business of the Year
Arthur David

Best Tech Business
The Pixel

Best Creative Business
Sparkol

Environmental Award
Solarsense

Best Engineering or Manufacturing Award
Cubik Innovation

Best SME (Under £15M turnover)
Inside Asia Tours

International Trade Award
British Corner Shop

Contribution to the Community Award
Womble Bond Dickinson

Young Businessperson of the Year Award (Under 35 years old)
Yasmin Keetley of Made by Yasmin

Retailer of the Year
Rare Meat Ltd

Employer of the Year
Thornbury Community Services

Find out more about the 2020 business awards, this year’s categories and available sponsorship opportunities.

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News Article
An Interview: Cubik's first apprentice

This week is National Apprenticeships Week, so we thought we’d take a trip down memory lane with Cubik’s first apprentice. Shannon Cribb began her career at Cubik Innovation after convincing Paul that what the business really needed, was an apprentice. Five years later, Shannon is a fully qualified Design Engineer working across a wide range of complex and innovative projects.

Shannon talks about her experience and why she thinks apprenticeships are a great way to start your career.

How did you hear about the apprenticeship?

I was working at Cleve Rugby Club at the time and a friend asked me what I wanted to do when I finished school. I explained that I was interested in electrical engineering and she suggested that I speak with her partner, Cubik Managing Director, Paul Mullen.

I met with Paul at the Bristol & Bath Science Park where Cubik was originally based. The meeting went well, and we hit it off, but he told me that he wasn’t looking to take on any apprentices. I wasn’t taking no for an answer, so I asked if I could do a week’s work experience with Cubik in addition to the week I did with my school. I spent the week working alongside the engineers in their day to day activities which included soldering and research; and shadowed a design engineer completing a PCB layout. A week or so later, Paul emailed me to say he had reconsidered and offered me an apprenticeship.

What made you want to do an apprenticeship?

I wasn’t keen on going to university. I liked the idea that I could combine classroom learning with on the job training to get to where I wanted to be. And get paid each month!

What did your apprenticeship entail?

I attended Wiltshire College (Chippenham Campus) one day a week and spent the remaining four days at Cubik HQ working in the Production department. The classroom based element gave me an opportunity to learn and develop my understanding alongside my peers and I’d put my newfound knowledge into practice on my office based days. I also had to do a lot of independent learning outside of work and college.

Which course did you study and what qualification does that give you?

For the first two years, I studied for the Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. After completing that, I moved on to the Higher National Diploma (HND) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering which took a further year to complete.

I also did several NVQ units. So, I have an NVQ Level 4 Extended Diploma in Engineering Manufacture (15 units) and Level 2 Award in Personal Learning and Thinking Skills for New Entrants into the Science Engineering and Manufacturing Sectors (6 units).

Did you have to take any exams or assessments?

The course was all coursework based. There were several assignments for each unit, across a few different subjects. For the NVQ units, I had to write about the work I was involved in at Cubik. An assessor from the college came to visit me at Cubik HQ every 4-6 weeks to check my progress with the NVQ units and touch base on how things were going in my work environment.

What kind of work did you get involved in on your office based days?  

I spent three days a week working in the Production department which involved hand soldering, operating the Pick & Place machine, testing and any required re-work and mechanical assembly. I spent the other day in Design, shadowing one of the Design Engineers to broaden my knowledge as I knew that was where I wanted to end up.

What happened once you were qualified?

Once I completed my apprenticeship, I became a full-time member of Team Cubik. I continued working in Production doing the same sort of things I had during my apprenticeship. I then began to integrate over to Design, splitting my week between departments. One year on and I am now a full time Design Engineer (yay!).

What do you think the benefits of doing an apprenticeship are?

The best thing about doing an apprenticeship is being paid to learn whilst working. There is no student finance debt and you get a secured job at the end of the course. Not to mention – no exams! You also don’t pick up any bad habits. Sometimes what is taught in theory doesn’t always transfer over practically, so you can improve technique and best practice on your office-based days.

Speaking about the benefits that apprenticeships bring to small businesses, Paul Mullen said:

“Shannon is a very valued member of the team at Cubik. I had not considered apprenticeships in the past, for small companies the information available is scant and the route is unclear. The effort required to get the process running was quite high, but it was clear that Shannon had the drive and focus to make the effort worthwhile. From the company viewpoint and that of Shannon, apprenticeships are a huge win. She has no loan and we have a deeply embedded member of the team.”

Cubik are currently considering applications for further apprentices in the Production Department as a Production Engineer and the Business Department as a Project Administrator. For more information, get in touch.

Find out more about apprenticeships and how they work on the gov.ukwebsite

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News Article
Business Showcase South West

On Wednesday 19 June, Cubik Innovation will join over 250 businesses to exhibit at the Business Showcase South West held at Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol. The biannual B2B event is the largest free business event in the South West and expects to welcome thousands of visitors across the two days.

Delegates will have an opportunity to meet and get to know other businesses from across the region, attend networking events and seminars, and hear from keynote speakers, including:

  • Mark Wright, Climb Online & BBC's The Apprentice winner
  • Vodafone
  • Emma Jones (MBE), Co Founder of Start Up Britain
  • Sir Rob McCabe
  • Mark Berrisford Smith, Head of Economics for HSBC Commercial Banking

There is also a series workshops offering help and advice from leading industry experts.
Register for your free ticket

Visit Us

Get a glimpse into the world of electronics. Find us at stand D12 in the Dolman hall where you’ll get a chance to see our trusty pick and place machine in action – it’s quite something! Our experts will also be on hand to talk you through the wide range of services and expertise we offer.

If you’ve got a specific project that you would like to discuss, why not book an appointment with a member of the team?

Keep up to date with us at the Business Showcase South West @CubikInnovation and on LinkedIn.

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News Article
Cubik sponsors Best Tech Business Award

We are delighted to announce that Cubik Innovation will sponsor the Best Tech Business Award at the BristolLive & Bristol Post Business Awards 2019.

Cubik Innovation was established in 2012 by Managing Director, Paul Mullen. At the time, Paul was in the wake of selling his successful first business, Panik Technology, and was on the lookout for his next venture. Keen to develop a unique one-stop-shop for the inventor and small company looking to develop electronic products, Paul created Cubik Innovation.

After visiting the Bristol & Bath Science Park, he took on a small room in the Innovation Centre and began to tender for projects. He recruited two members of staff, a Design & Software Engineer and an Accounts Contractor, and they started to approach new customers. Over the next three years, the team expanded to 17 permanent members of staff, a mix of design and operational, and boasted a wide range of technical skills and expertise. By then, we were winning bigger contracts and were looking to move premises to accommodate a new manufacturing facility.

In 2015, at just 3 years old, we were thrilled to be awarded Start-Up Business of the Year, amongst a group of successful and talented young businesses. Since then, Cubik has gone from strength to strength and we are delighted to be returning to this year’s awards as category sponsors.

Get involved this year

The BristolLive Business Awards are a great opportunity for local businesses to showcase their achievements to a regional and national audience, regardless of size or industry. There are a wide range of categories suitable for any successful company from entrepreneurs and start-ups through to large private and public organisations.

The Best Tech Business Award recognises an outstanding tech business that produces cutting edge-technology and who has made a big splash in the industry. Entrants will be judged on skill, creativity and innovation in the development of a unique product. Judges will also be looking for a business with a clear business strategy, a strong leader and a motivated team.

Our very own Paul Mullen will sit on the judging panel:

“As a company that is passionate about the design and production of electronic products, technology is at the core of everything we do. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to learn more about local businesses in our industry and hear about their successes”.

The deadline for entries is Tuesday 7 May 2019. The awards will be held on Wednesday 26 June 2019 at Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol.

Enter the Best Tech Business Award

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