Engineering students see international manufacturer up close in industry visit

Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor engineering students went behind the scenes at international manufacturer FAUN Trackway Limited for their final industry visit of the academic year.

Learners presented the company with F1 in Schools race cars, as a thank you for its sponsorship of Team Loop Racing and Cymru Speedsters in this year’s competition.

FAUN Trackway Limited specialises in designing and manufacturing multi-terrain access systems which are used worldwide by militaries and other industries.

Keegen Vidamour, Tom Williams, Jordan Piper, Ben Griffith and Jac Fisher visited its Llangefni factory recently, having researched the company as part of their BTEC Level 3 Enhanced Engineering studies.

The students were welcomed to the site by engineering and operations manager Gareth Williams, production manager Gwyn Parry, marketing coordinator Ellie Roberts, and mechanical engineer Rhodri Farrer.

The students were given a guided tour of FAUN Trackway Limited’s facility, where they gained insight into how the company’s innovative portable track systems are manufactured for rapid deployment from military trucks, telehandlers, and other specialist vehicles.

Gwyn Parry showed the process steps taken by skilled workers on site to fabricate, assemble, coat and package the products for delivery to their customers worldwide. Gareth Williams then gave the students an interesting insight into the variety of project works carried out at the Llangefni site.

The students were then able to see the final product fitted to a Mercedes-Benz Arocs, a robust and powerful heavy-duty truck.

Finally the students returned to the board room, where Jac and Jordan presented their F1 in Schools race cars to Gareth Williams.

Jac presented a car on behalf of Team Loop Racing, who won the professional class in the North Wales heat and went on to represent Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor in the UK final.

Jordan presented the car made by Cymru Speedsters, and Keegan presented FAUN Trackway Limited keyrings for all employees, which he made as promotional merchandise for his team’s pit display at the F1 in Schools event.

The two race cars now have pride of place in FAUN Trackway’s board room, alongside a model of the company’s medium ground mobility system mounted to a 4x4 flatbed vehicle.

Gareth Williams said: “We were pleased to welcome the students and showcase our facility and products. It was a great opportunity to highlight the practical applications of engineering in a real-world manufacturing environment.

“I hope the tour offered the students valuable insights into our processes, technologies, and the innovative solutions we provide. Engaging with the next generation of engineers is always rewarding, and we look forward to supporting their continued learning and development.”

Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor’s engineering students compete every year in F1 in Schools, a STEM competition for schools and colleges across the UK.

Teams of students design their cars using computer-aided design package Fusion 360, before manufacturing them on a CNC Denford milling machine.

They then race the cars four times each over a flat, 20-metre track at the North Wales heats, reaching speeds in excess of 35 miles per hour as they aim to qualify for the UK finals.

The teams also have to secure sponsorship from local businesses, demonstrating their business and marketing acumen. They are judged not only on how fast their car raced, but also on a verbal presentation to judges, and on their engineering and enterprise portfolios.

The competition is embedded as part of the BTEC Level 3 General Engineering course at Pwllheli’s Hafan Campus, where students take part in the development and professional race events. It is also part of the college’s 14-16 schools provision which supports local secondary schools, with teams competing in the entry level race events.

Emlyn Evans, program leader for Level 3 Engineering and the 14-16 provision, said: “It takes a significant amount of effort by the students to set up their teams, mirroring a small company start-up. They raise funds, market their team, design and manufacture the race cars and take part in the competition. Without the support of our sponsors, we would not be able to provide our students with this great opportunity.

“FAUN Trackway Limited have supported both teams Cymru Speedsters and Loop Racing in their racing ventures this year. It was a great opportunity for us to be able to present the race car models to Gareth and his colleagues at Faun Trackway Limited as a token of our appreciation for their support.”

Learn more about the Level 3 General Engineering course here. Intake for the 2025/26 academic year is currently open. If you’re a budding Engineer and want to be part of Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor’s 2026 F1 in Schools team, register your interest by applying now, or for more information contact evanse12e@gllm.ac.uk