Integrated Graphene Meet the Team: No.12 - Kirsty MacKenzie

Author: Sean Lightheart

Today, we're delighted to introduce Kirst MacKenzie, our Manufacturing Quality Engineer. Kirsty works hard to ensure we uphold our company-wide high quality standards.

Q: Where are you from and what is your professional background?

KM: I am from Paisley, Scotland! I did an Honours degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Edinburgh and started work as a process engineer in the semiconductor industry (Motorola). I worked in the same place for almost 15 years although changed role to device engineer for most of this time. I investigated yield issues, customer issues and progressed improvement measures and evaluated engineering changes. I became a 6 Sigma Greenbelt and was introduced to Lean and 5S during this time. When the factory closed – I found most of my transferable skills matched the role of quality engineer. I worked in automotive plastics, temporary power solution manufacture, contract manufacture, defence and automotive leather since then, gaining a wide experience. Most of the places I have worked had a high focus on Lean and continuous improvement.

Q: What does a day on the job look like for you?

KM: Every day is different! I have a range of jobs from generating, approving documentation to running 8D investigations into quality issues, rolling out 5S but also participating in the project to transform our manufacturing capability. Overall, I play a key role in ensuring the smooth-running of our numerous projects and maintaining our outstanding product quality.

Q: What are you most looking forward to in 2021?

KM: As our company continues to grow, the increase of our manufacturing capability will lead to further exciting opportunities for the company throughout our various target markets. I am really looking forward to being a part of this and continuing our journey to finally enabling the integration of the graphene into the technology of the future. With our team gradually returning to our Stirling office, it already feels like there will be more opportunities to collaborate. I hope we keep the effective methods we learned to work with during lockdown but keep the tried and tested methods of working and communication that work when people are in the office.

Q: How do you see graphene changing the world?

KM: I hope the introduction of new products will lead to sustainable solutions to modern issues such as delivering better healthcare and transforming how we store and use energy.

If you have a project you would like to discuss with Kirsty anyone else on our team, then please get in touch today.