20 individuals / 1 team / 300 years of experience

Craig Blackwell
Toolroom Manager
Craig heads-up the Precision Components department and has over 16 years of experience in tool-making.

Darren Beardsmore
Managing Director

Dave Preston
Multi-Skilled Engineer
Dave has 10+ years experience in the car components and appliances sectors, as a Production Engineer.

Ellis Bloomer
Apprentice
Ellis is 16 years old, an Air Cadet and Gripple Automation is his first job.

Isobel Park
Project Manager
Isobel has over 24 years experience of project and product management, and previously worked for Gripple.

James Beaton
Software Engineer
James has 30+ years experience working in the Pharmaceutical, Medical, FMCG and Building sectors.

Joe Goldthorpe
Multi-Skilled Apprentice

Joe Lee
Machine Designer
Joe started as an Engineering apprentice and now has 8 years experience in machine design.

John Joyce
Chairman
John has a wealth of manufacturing management experience, spending the past 25 years with Gripple.

Josh Smith
Toolmaker
Josh has 3 years experience of machine operating and now works in the Precision Components department.

Justin Newborn
Applications Engineer

Kirk White
Production Manager
Kirk started as an apprentice with Gripple over 20 years ago, amassing a broad wealth of knowledge.
Steve Woodall
Multi-Skilled Engineer
Steve has clocked-up 5 years at Gripple and joined Gripple Automation for a new challenge in 2017.

Matt Kay
Trainee Designer
Matt joined after a 1 year placement from University studying Aerospace and is now a junior machine designer.

Paul Kay
Mechanical Engineer
Paul comes from a Maintenance Engineering background and has worked at Gripple for 10 years.
Rad Czyzewski
Controls Engineer
Rad has over 10 years experience, gained across the Pharmaceutical, Food and FMCG industry sectors.

Stephen Coultas
Multi-Skilled Engineer
Stephen is an apprentice trained electrical engineering, with production engineering and robotics experience.

Steve Benton
Technical Author
Steve has a technical communications and marketing background, working across a variety of industry sectors.

Craig Bagnall
Multi-Skilled Engineer
Craig comes from a production engineering background and is also an experienced tool setter.