Owen International is an Australian owned company, supplying systems and equipment in Australia and New Zealand. The company delivers a range of military and commercial products, offering world leading and proven capabilities for defence, government and industry.

Owen International provides systems to the needs of ASDEFCON and compound technical regulatory requirements, project management services, training, Australian Industry Capability (AIC), technology transfer and regional through life care services for the equipment obtainable. Owen holds a number of longstanding maintenance and support contracts with customers and has an established test, calibration, repair and maintenance facility within their Sydney based facility.

For more information visit their website

What services do you provide for our customers generally?

Owen International is an Australian Defence SME, that provides sales and marketing, project management and technical support services for AGI Naval Lighting, Meteorological and Navigation equipment in Australia and New Zealand.

Despite system design and manufacturing elements of any new build or upgrade project being conducted at AGI in the UK, the ADF and NZDF mandate a high level of local industry involvement. Owen International help fulfil this requirement in the commissioning and in service support phases of any project. Recently, an improved technical support facility has been commissioned at Owen International’s Sydney based facility near to the Royal Australian Navy’s Garden island Naval Base. This facility has been specifically designed to supporting future projects and provide customers a greater level of support for products in the region.

How have you adapted during COVID-19, have there been any major changes to what support you can provide at the moment?

We have implemented Australian Government Department of Health steps for social distancing and reducing travel. Over time we expect the economic impact of COVID-19 will be felt within our industry, but at the moment most of our projects are continuing on as planned. There has been little change to the services that Owen International provide customers, other than a general slowing in delivery lead times and a significant increase in international freight costs.

How do you work with AGI to ensure the customers get the best service?

Owen International remains in close contact with key stakeholders, to ensure customer requirements are understood. This allows us to work in partnership with principal suppliers like AGI and ensure capability requirements, along with customer expectations are met.

AGI is pleased to have become one of the latest employers in the Southwest to be acknowledged by the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) for demonstrating its commitment to being a forces friendly employer.

The three tiered government scheme encourages businesses to advocate their support for the Defence community. In order to receive its recent Bronze Level award, AGI has signed the Armed Forces Covenant which sets out the relationship between the nation, the government and the Armed Forces. It recognises that the whole nation has a moral obligation to members of the Armed Forces and their families, and it establishes how they should expect to be treated.

In signing the Covenant AGI have made several pledges including supporting the employment of veterans and service spouses/partners as well as accommodating the commitments of employees who are Reservists. AGI will advertise future roles on Ministry of Defence portal, the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) and in the wider Naval community, the charity White Ensign Association’s portal.       

David Hyde, AGI Managing Director said: “we already have a number of staff that are veterans so it was a natural step for us to sign the Covenant and strengthen activities already taking place. We encourage future candidates to apply through these nationally recognized recruitment portals. Access to a large pool of skilled and experienced talent is a great win for an engineering company like ours operating in the defence industry. We also like to support our local community and this builds on AGI’s corporate social responsibility”.  

Senior Project Manager, Neil Lewis who has been with AGI for just under a year said: “I was in the British Army for nearly 24 years completing my service as a Warrant Officer Class one. I have been able to transfer the skills I gained during my military career into my new role. It’s great to have a supportive employer like AGI and the camaraderie working alongside other veterans is a positive in my book”.

Read more on AGI’s commitment and view the full Armed Forces Covenant 

We have virtually caught up with our first Interns at AGI. Here’s what they’ve been up to…

What is your background?

Niamh: I’m currently in my third year at Bournemouth University, on my placement year. I study BSc (Hons) Marketing. I chose to incorporate a sandwich year with my University degree, to gain the industry experience and add depth to my studies. I grew up in Wiltshire and chose to go to Bournemouth University to start my extra studies.

Ben: I’m a local boy, who’s grown up in Ringwood. Having done Maths, Physics and Product Design for A levels, this was all merged into one when I decided to go to Bournemouth University to do Mechanical Engineering. I get the best of both worlds: I get to stick around this wonderful part of England whilst doing a degree in something that I love.

How does your internship work?

Niamh: In my second year I started applying for various intern positions. I applied to many in Wiltshire, London and Bournemouth and many different types of internships as experience for me was what I was looking for. I didn’t know exactly what route to go down, be it Public Relations, Marketing, Advertising or Events Management. I found the Marketing & Communications Internship at AGI and knew it was a great opportunity.  At Bournemouth University, to pass placement year, you need to have a minimum nine month placement with coursework completed while having placement support meetings from the Uni.

Ben: My degree is a sandwich degree in Mechanical Engineering with an integrated Masters. It’s a five year course, two of which I have already done so now in my third. Currently I am on placement working for AGI as a Mechanical Design Intern. I’ve gained super valuable experience of which I’ll take into the rest of my degree and future in engineering. After this year, I’ll head back to University for my Bachelor’s Degree (BEng) and then Master’s Degree (MEng). In both years I will be carrying out projects which shall be displayed at Bournemouth University’s Festival of Design & Engineering.

What is it about AGI that interests you?

Niamh: As a Marketing student, I wanted a challenge. AGI is a completely new industry for me and was something that I had little prior knowledge about. But, AGI knew that and still supported my marketing ability and hired me to work in the Marketing & Communications team. Working in the defence engineering sector has been a complete learning experience for me.

Ben: I love the problem-solving factor of engineering, something that gets my brain working. As I mentioned earlier, being able to combine Maths, Physics and Product Design to create solutions for real world/real life issues is great! Seeing how a product develops from a concept in someone’s mind to seeing it in use is really rewarding.

How have you found AGI?

Niamh: It’s been a great learning experience for me. I’ve been privileged enough to be a part of many exciting projects and playing a key part in the success of the DSEI Exhibition in 2019 was a big highlight. Everyone at AGI is easy to work with and as a placement student I settled in quickly.

Ben: AGI is super supportive! As soon as I joined, I was treated like one of their own, despite the fact I am still an undergrad. I’ve been welcomed to engineering team meetings, which is a great insight into the workings of an engineering company. I’ve been involved in product design and development where I have been using the 3D printer to aid prototyping and problem-solving. I’ve also been able to use the printer to help during COVID-19 to manufacture full faceshields so we can donate PPE to local care homes and NHS settings. To date, we’ve made 350 visors!

Hobbies & Interests?

Niamh: I’ve always been into my music, photography and art. I’ve always loved being creative and being able to express myself in my spare time. This is one reason why I love marketing, merging the business world and creativity to build a strong brand relationship with consumers.

Ben: I love playing my guitar! I love all the things that come with playing it too, from making my own pedals/pedal-board to playing in a band most Sundays. I’ve had the honour of being asked to play at several Youth/Student conferences around the UK too. It’s definitely something that I get way too carried away with!

How are you coping with home working during the current COVID-19 situation?

Niamh: I’ve been very lucky in this situation still being able to work full time. As a student, I’ve enjoyed being able to travel home rather than be in Bournemouth by myself. However, the hardest part is not being able to socialise with everyone in the office and how much easier it was to complete projects including various people. My role hasn’t been majorly impacted, I stay in contact with my manager daily and video calls are a weekly thing to keep us all on the same track. As well as my placement year, this is just another experience we have to go through and adapt to, in this situation and has been another learning experience.

Ben: It’s going well for the most part. I’ve got my own desk that I can work from and I’m getting more used to my own company. However I do still miss being able to socialise and see people other than my family. Definitely getting more used to it, to the point where I do quite enjoy it. Plus I don’t have to travel so there’s more time to spare! I hope everyone else is doing okay with the whole situation, my thoughts go to those who are really struggling

Our Intern Ben has another update for us on his 3D Crowd faceshield printing progress.  He has been busy assembling and delivering to local care homes via the Ringwood Coronavirus Assistance Project. AGI are so proud of what Ben has accomplished in the past few weeks, supporting the local key workers and everything they’re doing for Dorset. We look forward to following Ben through this project and will post updates in the next coming weeks.

If you haven’t see the previous press release about Ben’s hard work, go check that out on our News page or our Youtube page linked in the video above. 

AGI’s Mechanical Design Intern, Ben Butler has recorded a vlog charting his 3D printing progress supporting the current COVID-19 PPE shortage.

AGI responded to a plea from the 3D Crowd Big Print Project for volunteers to get involved in 3D printing headband components that form faceshields. This is in response to the national shortage of PPE supplies for healthcare workers in hospitals, GP surgeries, care homes and pharmacies.

Ben can usually be found printing parts to support various projects so he jumped at a chance to play a major role in this process – to date he has produced over 150 headbands (60 a week) with a view to either sending these to the national hub for assembly or deliver himself to fulfil local requirements. The next video will show his progress on the project.

David Hyde, AGI Managing Director said: “front-line healthcare staff are playing such a vital role in treating patients and AGI is pleased to be able to provide support in producing faceshields for our local community. Ben Butler, a member of our Engineering Team has driven this 3D printing solution forward to a finalised product which will help our health services. 

This project has brought together a number of parts of the business, going from concept to finished product within a week. This joined up and co-ordinated view demonstrates the capabilities of AGI and this has been undertaken while production continues with our company supporting the UK Armed Forces and allies across the world”. 

Welcome to our first video on our brand new channel, showing our current Engineering, Project Management and Finance apprentices talking about their experiences at AGI. They discuss what it’s like to be an apprentice, why they chose to do an apprenticeship and how an apprenticeship will strengthen their future career. We also catch up with David Hyde (Managing Director), Sam Peacock (Group Financial Advisor) and Jay Hannen (HR Recruitment Officer) with why apprentices are essential to AGI, the financial benefits of choosing an apprenticeship, entry requirements and the opportunities available through the AGI Apprenticeship Programme.

We have been catching up with our newest Apprentices, Jake and Kundi, to see how they are finding life between AGI and College so far.

What is your background?

Jake: After a year at sixth form and not enjoying it, I knew I would learn better in a practical environment so I decided to get work experience at the RNLI’s engineering department. This further ignited my passion for engineering and I was very keen to look for an apprenticeship in engineering.

Kundi: I was born in Zimbabwe but left at 8 months because my dad got an opportunity for a new job in the UK. My father is a Civil and Structural Engineer and that is how I took an interest in the world of engineering.

How does your apprenticeship work?

Jake: My apprenticeship is a 4 year course of Electro-Mechanical Engineering from Bournemouth & Poole College. During the first year, I go into AGI during holidays. In the second and third year, I will spend 4 days a week at AGI and one day at college. My apprenticeship involves job rotation where I will spend time in different engineering departments, so I learn about all the areas in the company. To develop my studies, I wish to have an Engineering degree, sponsored by AGI.

Kundi: I am on the same Apprenticeship as Jake therefore currently at Bournemouth & Poole College as a fulltime student for the first year, just to get a taster on the theoretical aspect of engineering than just the practical side, incorporating my studies and industry experience.

What is it about engineering that interests you?

Jake: I really love the idea of designing and creating products that make the world a better place. I love to be innovative and express my creativity, so this really attracts me towards engineering.

Kundi: When I was younger, my dad used to take me to his jobs where it involved doing calculations high up in the business. From then on, I always wondered what it takes to be at the top of the industry. I aspire to work in Automation or Aerospace engineering in the future.

How have you found AGI?

Jake: AGI is a great company to work for. When I first joined, everyone was very welcoming and supportive of me gaining knowledge in the areas of engineering that were new to me.

Kundi: Since working at the company, every person has been so kind and welcoming. Everyone at AGI is always helpful whenever Jake and I are there. We have settled in well and I always look forward to half terms as it means we go to work and learn more.

 Hobbies and Interests?

Jake: My passion is sport and fitness. I attend the gym on a daily basis and love weight training. Additionally, I am a huge football fan and often attend AFC Bournemouth football games with my friends.

Kundi: At a young age I started playing Basketball and currently play in the England National League. I have travelled to many countries for it such as France, Estonia, Czech Republic and the US. I am passionate for the game. I also love football and watching my team, Arsenal.

Jake and Kundi return to the AGI offices again in April – more news on how they are progressing then.

What is life like after you leave the Armed Forces? How do you progress with your career? Leon Twigg, Supply Chain Manager in the Army, has recently been with AGI on a work placement as part of his transition into office life. He gives his observations after job shadowing our Project Management team.      

Q: How has your work experience gone – what have you been doing?

A: This has been an excellent opportunity to find out how a PM operates in a BAU environment.  I have been visiting different desks, talking to Project Leads and Department Managers to ascertain how they all fit into the project lifecycle. AGI’s project management tools have been my guiding rail, comparing the reality of a Project Manager within AGI with what I was taught whilst I gained the APM Qualification over two years ago.   

Q: Any thoughts on the similarities or differences between field and office?

A: There are many similarities between what I do as a Supply Chain Manager in the Army and what I have experienced here at AGI.  In both lines of work it is about focusing on the needs of the customer to deliver a product or service whilst ensuring that the support is of an excellent standard.   

Q: What skills do you think are transferable to office life?

A: The Army have excellent Values and Standards, this is carried right through to the way I lead and manage in an office environment.  The experience I have gained as a leader in Logistics over the past 12 years, I feel would be invaluable to any employer.   

Q: What are the next steps for you career wise?

A: I plan to seek employment in Project or Supply Chain Management on leaving the Army next year. 

Q: Any advice for others on the same path as you?

A: I would certainly advise a visit to a company like AGI to gain an insight into what a PM does on a daily basis.  This has been a great experience for me, the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience within a professional organisation is hopefully part of my springboard to employment success.

AGI currently employs many ex Armed Forces staff in various roles and we are working with local and national organisations to advertise our employment opportunities – more information to come on this early 2020.

Accountancy and Business advisory firm BDO LLP’s most recent analysis of the mid-market has shown that Aeronautical & General Instruments (AGI) is one of the Central South’s success stories in achieving sustained international growth.

It is one of just 20 companies being recognised by the firm that despite the challenges of Brexit, global trade wars and economic uncertainty has successfully grown its business by expanding overseas over the last three years.

Arbinder Chatwal, Partner at BDO in Southampton comments “This region’s diverse mid-sized and growing entrepreneurial businesses are its economic engine. The climate of political and economic uncertainty persists and expanding overseas has not got any easier, but nor is it any harder and AGI is a great example of a business that is making the most of international opportunities. We hope they continue to build on this success.”

David Hyde, AGI Managing Director said:  “AGI has always been focused on providing engineering solutions for Navy, Army, Airforce & Civil Aviation applications both within the UK and abroad. AGI has had a strong background of exporting with customers from over 65 countries utilising our products and services. The recognition of being announced as one of the top performing companies in the Central South is particularly pleasing and a testament to the hard work that all who work at AGI put in.”

For more information visit: http://epubs.bdo.co.uk/unpackingthecsmm/p/1

Image shows David Hyde, AGI Managing Director, being presented the plaque by the BDO Partners.

AGI has recently supplied the largest polar expedition in history with portable runway lighting to enable emergency supplies to be provided to research vessel Polarstern whilst it drifts in ice for the next year, gathering data on global climate change.

The Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) project is the first expedition to drift through the Arctic all year round and is spearheaded by the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI). The Polarstern set sail last month and now having reached its destination is wedged into the Arctic ice, following the natural drift to measure the features of the climate throughout the next year. A flight campaign is planned for spring 2020, when a landing strip will be carved out of the sea ice.

Through its German representative, Wärtsilä JOVYATLAS EUROATLAS GmbH, AGI has provided its COREL LED Omni-directional Runway Edge Light and RTEL LED Runway Threshold End Light in a unqiue setup of enabling helicopters to land on deck with the added ability to easily move the lights onto the ice to make an emergency runway. The lighting will assist helicopters and aeroplanes to land and deliver supplies to the global research crew when other vessels are no longer able to penetrate the ice. The lights are fully portable, lightweight, battery powered with a long run time and are constructed to endure all weather environments. A comprehensive training programme was also delivered for the expedition participants at Wärtsilä’s premises in Bremen, in order to operate and maintain the lighting system during the 13 month expedition.

David Hyde, AGI Managing Director said: “we are excited to support Polarstern on its year long journey. With climate change being extremely topical, AGI is proud of its involvement in this historic event where our reliable, low cost lighting solutions help mission critical landings to take place with minimal effort”.

Patrick Appel, Sales Engineer Wärtsilä JOVYATLAS EUROATLAS GmbH said: “AWI has been internationally recognised for polar and marine research for decades and a connection with the Institute began many years ago when we supplied an AGI Precision Approach Pathway Indicator system to German Antarctic Research Station Neumayer-Station III. This then lead to the proposed airfield lighting configuration for the MOSAiC project and we are happy to have secured the order”.

Read more about the MOSAiC expedition and follow the research vessel in real time!

Image Copyright: 20109_Metbuoy_Mario_Hoppmann