Award-winning, UK automotive clean-tech firm AVID Technology Group has strengthened its leadership team with another strategic appointment.
Graeme Cook joins the business as operations director to assist in the delivery of AVID’s growth strategy which aims to capitalise on the global boom in vehicle electrification and clean automotive technology.
He brings over 15 years’ experience leading high-skilled engineering businesses in the aerospace, automotive, defence, rail and energy sectors. Graeme’s most recent roles include executive director at Reece Group, the North East-based global exporter of defence, energy, and utilities technology.
He’s also held senior management roles at Responsive Engineering and CAV Aerospace, where he ran a large-scale operation and set up manufacturing facilities around the world producing safety critical aerospace structures.
A mechanical engineer by trade, Graeme began his career as an engineering apprentice in Cramlington before securing his first managerial role responsible for manufacturing engineering at NSK Steering Systems Europe, a global tier one supplier to the automotive industry manufacturing safety critical components.
Ryan Maughan, managing director at AVID Technology, said: “Graeme brings some amazing experience to AVID. His appointment is hugely significant as we begin to rapidly scale-up our manufacturing operations. Attracting someone with his breadth of experience in setting up and running manufacturing facilities, particularly specialising in high-volume and safety critical components and systems, will be a great benefit to AVID as we move forward.”
Describing his focus for leading the operations team at AVID’s HQ in Cramlington, Graeme said: “I am thrilled to be joining AVID Technology at such an exciting time in its development. The electric vehicle industry is thriving globally and going through a period of rapid development and innovation.
“My aim is to support the team in delivering its strategy for growth, add value through my expertise industrialising products, establishing rapid manufacturing solutions and managing production to meet quality and ensure supply.
“I feel very passionate about what Ryan and the AVID team is seeking to achieve in developing clean technology power systems to transform the automotive industry and help the environment. It feels great to be part of such a talented and ambitious North East business.”
Graeme’s appointment follows Andrew Hodgson, one of North East England’s most prominent business figures, who joined the AVID board as non-executive chairman in May this year.
AVID Technology Group develops batteries, electric motors and powertrain components for next generation hybrid and electric vehicles across the world. Its customer base includes tier one automotive suppliers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
AVID Technology was founded by engineer and entrepreneur Ryan Maughan in 2005. It is now a recognised leader in the field of systems electrification and heavy-duty vehicle electrification and hybridisation.
The company exports its products and services into mainland Europe, the US and Asia. Its customer base includes high performance passenger car manufacturers and motorsport, alongside heavy-duty trucks, buses and off-highway machinery manufacturers, including AB Volvo, Caterpillar, Cummins, Jaguar Land Rover, McLaren Automotive, Paccar and Scania.