Safapac challenges top students to solve real business challenges

Peterborough-based Safapac, the leading specialty chemicals manufacturer, is giving two top engineering students from Cambridge University the opportunity to solve real business challenges at its plant in Orton Southgate, and paying them for the privilege.

Henry Morley and Gregory Sale, both 19 and soon to begin their second year at Cambridge, are interning at Safapac over the summer as part of their course, which includes a masters degree.

Safapac has challenged the bright pair to examine its manufacturing process and come up with ways of making it more efficient, which could have a genuine impact on the company’s bottom line.

“I am excited to be here because Safapac is entrusting us with a project that has real business objectives,” comments Henry. “Some companies task interns with menial jobs rather than providing them with an immersive industry experience, which in my view defeats the whole point of being an intern.”

Gregory agrees: “It is great that Safapac is putting us to good use. This is our first professional environment so we weren’t sure what to expect, but Safapac’s team is both highly supportive and collaborative. It is giving us the freedom to explore our own ideas and, what’s more, listens to us too.”

The students have only been at Safapac for a couple of weeks, but have already produced a complicated diagram mapping out Safapac’s production process and where efficiencies could be made.

“I am delighted to welcome Henry and Gregory to Safapac,” says the company’s MD Barry Cornett. “They are two extremely intelligent, gifted individuals and I am sure they will make a valuable contribution to our business.”

This is the third year in a row Safapac has accepted summer interns. It has built a relationship with Cambridge University through its membership of the Cambridge Institute of Manufacturing.

Henry and Gregory, originally from Oakham and Stamford, achieved straight A* GCSE and ‘A’ Level grades at school. Both enjoy sailing and are trying to decide which area of engineering to specialise in.