March 7, 2022 Shropshire steel firm designer scoops graduate award
An employee at a firm of Shropshire steel fabricators has scooped a top award for his contribution to the continuing growth and expansion of the business.
Product Designer Leirom Puno, who works for Telford’s Fabweld Steel Products, was named Graduate Employee of the Year in the University of Wolverhampton’s Business Achievement Awards yesterday (July 1).
He won the award for his work in helping Fabweld develop a new product range and supporting the firm’s expansion into a new overseas market within months of being in the post.
Leirom received the accolade at a glittering ceremony at Wolverhampton’s Molineux Stadium attended by key business figures from around the region.
The 23-year-old only started working at Fabweld in September last year through the Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise Network (KEEN) that is designed to help small and medium sized enterprises grow and improve profitability by employing a graduate on a specific project.
Fabweld Managing Director Richard Hilton said: “This is a massive achievement for Leirom and we are absolutely delighted that his hard work has been recognised with this prestigious award.
“In the short time he has been at Fabweld, he has had to learn a new set of skills but has still managed to worked with fabricators and our technical team to develop a range of innovative products with unique features that can be easily fabricated and replicated.
“Thanks to Leirom, we have now developed 16 new products that will significantly boost our product portfolio and have applications to be sold into different markets, helping to further expand our business and increase turnover. He truly deserves the award for the difference he has made.”
Leirom, who is now working on a unique locking device he has designed that will be introduced into the Fabweld range, said: “I am so pleased to have won this award.
“I really enjoy my work and in the time I have been at Fabweld, I have gained vital experience. It has been great to have such a direct impact on the Fabweld business and to see my ideas become reality. It’s even better to have won an award for it!”