Simmatic’s Apprentice shines bright at the Automate UK Awards 2025. Last night Team Simmatic attended the Awards at The Vox Conference Venue, Resort World, Birmingham. Ryan Griffiths, our Apprentice Automation Engineer, was selected as one of the final eight nominees for Apprentice of the Year. All shortlisted apprentices were commended for their achievement and the standard of entries was exceptional.
Our evening began with a welcome drinks reception, where manufacturing professionals, engineering experts, technology innovators and industry leaders gathered together. We all enjoyed a three-course gala dinner followed by the prestigious Automate UK Awards Ceremony, honouring excellence across the processing and packaging machinery industries.
Simmatic’s Apprentice Shines Bright
Simmatic’s Apprentice Shines Bright
Being shortlisted, as one of eight finalists, for Apprentice of the Year 2025, is a fitting recognition for Ryan’s hard work throughout the last year. He has proved himself, over the last twelve months, as a stand out apprentice. He’s honest and dependable, consistently going above and beyond. Always being adaptable, with good communication skills, attention to detail and regularly using his initiative.
Ryan has a strong work ethic. He turns up every day on time, ready to work and puts constant effort into every task without cutting corners. His eagerness to learn is exceptional, Ryan asks thoughtful questions, takes notes, seeks feedback and applies it quickly. He has a positive attitude, approaches challenges with optimism, is respectful to mentors and teammates and works well with the team here at Simmatic – bringing energy and enthusiasm to the workplace.
Ryan’s First Year with Simmatic
Simmatic were thrilled to welcome Ryan to the team, as Apprentice Automation Engineer, in June 2024. Ryan lives in Worcestershire and in his free time enjoys building Lego sets, playing the guitar and watching Formula One.
Ryan started attending day release at Dudley College of Technology in September 2024. Here he’s been studying towards achieving his Engineering Manufacturing Technician Level 4 Mech qualification. As part of Ryan’s on-going development at Simmatic he’s been spending one day a week at the Dudley campus, developing his academic knowledge of engineering, as well as working alongside Simmatic’s Engineers.
In November 2024, Ryan completed his Counterbalance Forklift Training. As part of Simmatic’s ongoing continuous learning program – Ryan’s training course was delivered on site at Simmatic’s business premises by Forklift Licence Training. Ryan passed with flying colours!
In June 2025, we asked Ryan to tell us about his first year working with the team…
I completed the Thermodynamics, Mathematics, Mechanical Principles and Fluid Dynamics courses at Dudley College of Technology – working towards my Engineering Manufacturing Technician Level 4 Mech qualification. I apply these skills to day to day working at Simmatic, improving my work and engineering knowledge as I go on. I’ve been given a range of tasks to further my experience with industrial vacuum and pneumatic equipment – working with the VMECA vacuum range, testing different products and creating video evidence.
Products and Trials
Some of the products I have tested include; VMECA’s Magic Grippers, V-Grips and Turtle Pumps – trialling a variety of products such as; avocados, paper bags and fruit boxes. Using the knowledge I’ve gained from this testing, I designed a custom head for picking up labels, with a custom 3D printed head. I used CAD software and Simmatic’s in-house 3D printer, incorporating VMECA’s suction cups and a vacuum generator. For me this has been a real eye opener, seeing how the world of automation works and I can’t wait to see where the next twelve months is going to take me.
Control Panels
I’ve also been involved with building control panels, using pneumatic components. The control panels have been used to control the movement of cylinders or to time a vacuum conveyor. While building these, I have dramatically improved my hands-on skills, such as drilling and tapping. I’m looking forward to continually learning and improving my skills in the future at Simmatic.
Ryan Assembling a Vacuum Conveyor within a supporting frame
Ben Priest, Simmatic’s Technical Director and Ryan’s Line Manager said: Keep up the hard work and progression. We’re all so pleased to have you as part of the team. Ryan will continue to work alongside Simmatic’s experienced team of Engineers, learning as he earns, creating a career for himself in the process.
