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Health & Safety at ALLpaQ: Meet the Team That Keeps Us Safe
World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2025 This week in order to celebrate World Day for Health and […]
Apr 28th, 2025
Meet The Technical Team
Careers Company News Containers
Health & Safety at ALLpaQ: Meet the Team That Keeps Us Safe
Apr 28th, 2025
This month’s spotlight focuses on the Technical team at ALLpaQ.
We caught up with Paul Stockton, our Technical Manager, who heads up the team to find out more about the team members, what goes on in the department, how innovation is at the core of what they do and also got to understand more about Finite Element Analysis (FEA).
Q) What’s involved in a typical day in the Technical department, Paul?
The Technical Department encompasses machine operations and design engineering, and both sides work closely together to keep projects running smoothly.
Each day starts with a briefing for our operatives – James, Kieran, and Jay – where we review upcoming projects and assign target dates. We proactively optimise our workflow to ensure the production team always has a sufficient buffer ahead of fabrication.
On the operations side, we utilise 3-axis CNC machines, a laser CNC, and a UV printer for everything from custom machining to producing logos, data plates, and serial numbers.
On the design side, Christian, Daniel, and I work on developing new solutions using SolidWorks, creating detailed, data-rich 3D models that generate our bill of materials and general assembly drawings. It’s a fast-paced, hands-on environment where both technical precision and collaboration are key.
Q) Tell us about the team. Who are the key Technical ALLteaM members?
We’ve got a brilliant mix of experience, talent, and personality across the team.
Paul Stockton
I bring a competitive edge to the team, driven by a strong sense of perfectionism.
Outside of work, I like to stay active – whether I’m playing padel with friends, out walking my Sharpei Willis, or enjoying the outdoors with my family. I’m also a big Liverpool fan.”
Christian Barton
Our Design Engineer, also known as the singer of the group, is often heard belting out 80s and 90s classics while working.
Cher being a regular feature on his playlist! Beyond the tunes, Christian brings growing technical expertise and works closely with our operators and fabrication team.
Daniel Lavelle
He joined us last year as a Junior Design Engineer and has quickly made a strong impression.
With a proactive mindset, he’s always looking to improve his FEA skills and mechanical knowledge. Outside of work, Daniel is a keen F1 fan, enjoys rock climbing, and has a soft spot for deep-fried food.
Christian’s design expertise and Daniel’s mechanical background complement each other well, creating a well-balanced team dynamic.
James Butler
One of our skilled Technical Operatives, transitioned from Fabricator to Machine Operator through internal training.
He excels in programming and is constantly looking for ways to optimise machining time and improve quality. Interestingly, James was once a lead guitarist – skills that may have transferred well into his precision-focused role.
Kieran Neild
Our other Operator and the team’s gentle giant has been with ALLpaQ for the past three years.
Always ready with a joke (intentionally or not), he keeps the team laughing. Outside of work, he’s a passionate fisherman, bringing a relaxed energy to the team.
Jay Fairfield
Our Technical Coordinator also came from a fabrication background and now plays a crucial role in managing the transition of machined parts from the Technical Department to Fabrication.
His attention to detail helps ensure smooth workflows and alignment with production goals. Fun fact – Jay started his professional life as a Chef!
Together, our team at ALLpaQ blends technical skills, unique personalities, and shared passions. It’s this combination that drives our progress and makes each day rewarding.”
Q)What exciting customisation projects have the team designed for ALLpaQ’s clients recently? What problems did they solve for the client?
We’ve been working on several bespoke solutions recently. We have completed a project for bespoke trays and a suitable dolly that was custom designed for the client’s specific bag.
This project involved redesigning a handling solution ideal for the small space the operator had, which improved internal stacking efficiency and was suitable for cleanroom environments, whilst allowing the operator to use the dolly as a tube guide.
By leveraging our CAD capabilities and deep understanding of our clients’ processes, we were able to deliver a tailored solution that saved them both time and space – two major pain points in bioprocessing environments.
Q)How do you keep up-to-date with new developments in the industry? How important is innovation at ALLpaQ?
Innovation is at the heart of the Technical Department. We’re constantly exploring new materials, technologies, and ideas to improve the quality and sustainability of our products.
We stay connected to the industry through supplier relationships, technical forums, ongoing training, and a good amount of in-house experimentation. Our focus is always on pushing the envelope to deliver better solutions – not just for customers, but for the environment too.
We design with purpose, ensuring that each product performs to the highest standards while minimising environmental impact through thoughtful engineering.
Q)What efficiencies have you introduced into the department since joining the business, Paul?
Since joining, I’ve focused on creating a more structured project flow between design, machining, and fabrication. One of the key changes was implementing a consistent two-week buffer to ensure fabrication always has materials ready in advance, reducing downtime and stress on production.
We’ve also improved how we communicate project timelines and resource planning, helping the team better manage workload and improve collaboration across departments. The result has been a more streamlined, proactive department with fewer last-minute scrambles and more space for innovation.
Q)Tell us about Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and what that entails.
FEA, or Finite Element Analysis, is a digital simulation technique we use to predict how a product or component will behave under real-world conditions – like stress, strain, and load. It allows us to test virtual models before they’re manufactured, helping us validate structural integrity and make smart design decisions early in the process.
Daniel, in particular, has been honing his FEA skills to help us push our product development forward with greater confidence. It’s a critical part of ensuring that our solutions are not just functional, but also safe, efficient and durable.
Q)What goals do the Technical team strive to achieve for your customers, internal and external?
At our core, the Technical team is here to deliver precision, reliability and innovation. For external customers, that means high-quality, customised products that meet exact specifications and support their processes seamlessly.
Internally, we aim to be a dependable link in the production chain – providing accurate models, clear documentation, and ready-to-use parts that keep operations moving.
Ultimately, our goal is to exceed expectations, minimise lead times, and build products that perform with consistency and integrity. That’s what keeps our customers coming back – and what keeps us motivated to keep improving.
Got a project which requires customisation? Get in touch with a member of our team to see how we can help.
