At Beldam Crossley, some of the best stories on the factory floor are not always the loudest ones.
They are often the people who turn up, listen properly, learn quickly, help without being asked twice and quietly become part of the rhythm of the place. That is very much the case with Harry Thompson.
Harry joined Beldam Crossley straight from school and is now a final-year manufacturing maintenance apprentice. In that time, he has grown into a trusted and valued member of our maintenance team, supporting the people, equipment and processes that keep the factory moving.
Maintenance is one of those areas of manufacturing that people only really notice when something stops working. But behind every smooth production day is a team making sure machines are safe, reliable and ready to do what our customers need them to do. Harry has become an important part of that.
A calm, capable presence on the factory floor
Across Beldam Crossley, Harry is known for being skilled, reliable and quietly brilliant. He is calm under pressure, always willing to help and brings a level of maturity to his work that stands out.
Whether he is supporting preventative maintenance, helping respond to machine breakdowns, supervising contractors or getting involved in new factory infrastructure, Harry understands that maintenance is not just about fixing things. It is about protecting production, supporting customer delivery and keeping people safe.
That practical mindset matters in a busy manufacturing environment. So does his attitude.
Harry is the kind of person who will get stuck in without fuss, listen to the people around him and take care over the details. There is no big performance, no drama, no “look at me” energy. Just steady, thoughtful work and the odd quietly funny comment at exactly the right moment.
In other words, the sort of person every factory needs.
Recognition from Alliance Learning
Harry’s progress has also been recognised by his tutor, Russell Frost at Alliance Learning, who has seen his development throughout his apprenticeship.
Russell shared:
“Harry is one of the top performers, especially with his NVQ Level 3 work, and I believe he needs recognition for this achievement. Well done Harry and keep up the good work.”
That recognition means a great deal. Apprenticeships are built on both workplace learning and college-based development, and Harry has shown the same strong standard in both. His written work, practical skills, attendance and professionalism have all been consistently praised.
For Beldam Crossley, this is exactly what a strong manufacturing apprenticeship should do: help a young person build real technical skills, confidence and a future career path, while also bringing fresh energy into the business.
Making a measurable difference
Harry has not only developed strong maintenance skills; he has also brought fresh thinking to our sustainability work.
Following Carbon Literacy training, Harry identified practical ways to reduce energy waste across the factory. That included monitoring and adjusting heating controls daily, helping support a reduction in annual gas consumption from 456,559 kWh in 2023 to 326,889 kWh in 2024. Over the same period, gas costs reduced from £21,412 to £16,440.
He also assessed factory lighting and calculated the potential savings from LED conversion, identifying an estimated annual reduction opportunity of 11 tonnes CO2e.
These are exactly the kinds of improvements that make sustainability real in manufacturing. Not vague promises. Not posters on a wall. Just practical ideas, followed through properly by people who understand the site.
Small changes, when they are measured and managed, can make a significant difference. Harry has shown that clearly.
Why Harry stands out
Paul Murray, Operations Manager at Beldam Crossley, summed up why Harry deserves recognition:
“Harry represents exactly what a final-year manufacturing maintenance apprentice should be: skilled, reliable, thoughtful, and already making a measurable difference to the business.”
“That combination is important. Technical ability matters, of course, but so does character. Harry brings both.
He is methodical and safety-conscious in his work. He understands the impact maintenance has on the wider business. He cares about doing things properly. He supports colleagues. He takes responsibility. And he does all of it with humility and good humour.
Those qualities are not always easy to teach, but they are incredibly valuable.”
Looking ahead
Manufacturing needs talented young people who are willing to learn, ask questions, solve problems and take pride in practical work. Harry is a brilliant example of that.
His apprenticeship has already helped him build a strong foundation in maintenance, engineering and manufacturing operations. More importantly, it has shown the kind of person he is: dependable, thoughtful, capable and committed to doing the right thing.
We are very proud to have Harry as part of the Beldam Crossley team.
He has a very strong future ahead of him in manufacturing and maintenance leadership, and we look forward to seeing what he does next.
Well done, Harry. Credit where it is absolutely due.
