Since joining PhoenixTM, Chris Budden has led and introduced the change from 2D Autocad drawing production to 3D Solidworks modelling production. This change has helped to reduce programming time and material waste and has greatly improved the quality and accuracy of the manufacturing of PhoenixTM’s products. For example, suppliers can use 3D files directly. Introducing Solidworks has also helped both internally and externally, as it helps PhoenixTM work directly with customers to develop designs virtually and ensure physical prototypes are successful. Chris is also preparing to take the Solidworks Professional exam shortly to certify his competence in the software.

Chris is responsible at PhoenixTM for the company’s health and safety. Since joining the company four years ago, Chris has been rewriting and updating the company’s risk assessments and procedures to ensure they are compliant with the latest regulations, including the additional COVID-19 specific risk assessments and procedures. This role was more challenging than usual in the first half of last year because of the need to ensure the workplace was adapted to minimize disruption and ensure that all staff who could not work from home were able to continue to come into the office safely.

Chris plays a key role in PhoenixTM’s research and development programs and delivers innovative new technology to help monitor and survey heat treat processes both in the U.S. and globally. Chris has an excellent knowledge of specifying optimized thermal insulation solutions to protect monitoring equipment to meet the ever more demanding requirements of the heat treat industry. A major project, to which Chris contributed greatly, was the new Optic system that allowed video monitoring of furnace operation. Chris achieved a significant technical solution to provide both thermal protection and ensure high quality optical performance with significant out-of-the-box thinking and clever adaptation of existing barrier technology. Chris is a valued member of the technical team and has a very promising future as he continues to develop into an outstanding, experienced thermodynamic mechanical expert.