The year 2000 was the 'Year of the Artist'. Printmaker Pauline Aitkin promised, and succeeded, to leave an impression during her 1-year residency with our company. Pauline, a fine art student, joined our team of prototype engineers after winning sponsorship under the 'Year of the Artist' residency scheme.

During her stay she used our 5-axis laser and hydraulic presses and our employees to create a unique sculpture gallery that will stand on permanent display at our Letchworth factory. Pauline says about our engineers 'their knowledge of how materials can be manipulated is the single most important factor, they are accustomed to designing and developing objects with only a practical value, I will help them create something with only aesthetic value. It will be a really different experience for all of us'.

Pauline also involved the partners, children and friends of our workforce by holding printmaking workshops using fabrics, paper and textiles to produce wall hangings. This is now on display in the reception of our factory.

The sculptures and mural courtyard won many awards including North Herts District Council and County Winner for the Art at Work award, and finalist nominations with the Financial Times awards and Anglia TV '6 of the Best'. With this last nomination we were filmed by the TV station for a one hour programme.

The sculptures were also shown in a temporary exhibition at the Letchworth Museum and Art Gallery.