On Tuesday, July 14, 2009, we reported....

A GAP year student who streamlined a Dumbarton firm’s operation saving them an estimated £1.2m has been nominated for an award.

Alistair Morison was on placement at Aggreko manufacturing in Dumbartonwhen he came up with a way of making their power generator assembly line more efficient. The innovation has won Alistair a place in the British final for The Year in Industry’s Contribution to the Business Awards and a cheque for £500.

He has beaten seven students to become the Scottish winner in the awards.

On his placement, he improved efficiency on the assembly line of power generators, increasing productivity and quality, while reducing labour costs.

The overall manufacturing process was reduced by 21 hours — saving £672 per unit.

— leading to a forecasted average saving of £400,000 per year for the next three years. Alistair went to Lomond School in Helensburgh and starts a degree in Product Design and Innovation at the University of Strathclyde this October. Alex Hardie, plant and site maintenance co-ordinator at Aggreko said: “I have been extremely impressed with the high level of enthusiasm and commitment that Alistair has shown throughout his time here. “Overall Alistair has blended in well and we would have no hesitation in bringing him back as a Summer student placement or in the future under the Graduates for Business or the STEP programs.” To win the regional award, Alistair presented his project and underwent a Dragon’s Dentype interrogation by a panel of industry experts. Alistair and two other regional winners from each of England’s four regions: South-East, South-West, the Midlands and the north of England will be entered into the national heat at London’s BT auditorium in September. The overall winner for England and Scotland will receive £1,000 with runner up prizes of £500.