As the UK marks National Engineering Day on November 5th, AddQual Ltd, a Derby-based precision engineering and digital metrology specialist, is highlighting the power of collaboration and innovation in driving modern manufacturing forward. Organised by the Royal Academy of Engineering, National Engineering Day — part of the “This is Engineering” campaign — celebrates the people and processes behind the nation’s most important innovations, while inspiring the next generation to consider engineering careers. For Ben Anderson, Managing Director of AddQual, the day is a reminder that engineering is as much about teamwork and mindset as it is about technical expertise.
“Engineering is about people solving problems together,” says Anderson. “At AddQual, we’ve built a culture where collaboration drives innovation. That’s what allows us to tackle the really difficult challenges our customers bring to us — the problems others can’t easily solve.”
AddQual specialises in structured data, precision measurement, and digital qualification, providing manufacturers with actionable insights to improve repeatability, quality, and efficiency. Its customers include major names in aerospace, medical, and advanced power systems, and the company’s work underpins critical components — from jet engine assemblies to surgical devices. In the past year, AddQual has expanded its team to support this growing demand, creating new roles such as Advanced Metrology Engineer and Junior Metrology Engineer and is currently recruiting for a Tooling Engineer to deepen its technical capability and provide clear progression paths for emerging talent.
“National Engineering Day is about visibility — showing people the incredible range of opportunities within engineering,” Anderson explains. “We want young engineers to see that this is an industry where you can make an impact early, learn continuously, and work on technologies that genuinely change lives.”
As a NADCAP-accredited and AS9100-certified business, Addqual combines rigorous quality standards with a culture of experimentation and learning. Its engineers collaborate across disciplines to develop novel inspection and qualification techniques, often pushing the limits of what’s possible in precision measurement.
"The reality of modern manufacturing is that tolerances are getting tighter, and expectations higher,” says Anderson. “That’s where our engineers thrive — taking complex data, applying creative thinking, and turning it into insight our customers can act on. It’s precision engineering in the truest sense.” Through its long-standing partnership with the University of Derby, AddQual also contributes to research and knowledge transfer projects that help bridge the gap between academia and industry.
“We’re passionate about supporting the future of the profession,” Anderson adds. “By giving students and early-career engineers access to real-world projects, we’re helping them see the possibilities within metrology, automation, and digital manufacturing. It’s exactly what National Engineering Day is all about — inspiring the next generation to think differently about what engineering can be.” As the UK celebrates its engineers this week, AddQual stands as an example of how small, high-tech firms are making a big impact — combining data, design thinking, and collaboration to redefine the future of quality in manufacturing. “Engineering is about progress, in how we think and work,” Anderson concludes. “If we keep empowering people, investing in skills, and staying curious, the future of British engineering will be in very safe hands.”
