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Profile MCI Precision Screens
Profile
MCI Precision Screens
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Lesley Wilkinson & Mark Laidlaw
Bearing in mind that a large number of people suffer from diabetes – it is probable that some Melbourn inhabitants are using a product which starts life here in Melbourn. I am referring to the testing strips that are used to test glucose levels in the blood.
Micro Circuit International was a French company specialising in high precision printing screens which operated in Cambridge for a number of years from 1983. When the French management team retracted their business to France the English branch was operating from Moat Lane but in 1989 they moved to Saxon Way. During this time Lesley Wilkinson and Mark Laidlaw started working for MCI, though to begin with Mark was only part time as he was still at school .
Both Lesley and Mark were born in Melbourn and went to the Primary School and Melbourn Village College, so they are real locals. On leaving school Mark went to North Herts College and did a year of carpentry under a YTS scheme but then returned to MCI full time and has been there ever since. Lesley, who is slightly older than Mark, went to MCI straight from school. Years later they were working quite happily when due to unforeseen circumstances it was considered that the company would have to close. It seemed criminal to both of them that a successful and flourishing business with a happy work force, a full order book and a viable and unique product should just be closed down. They had the suppliers who knew and trusted them and they had the customer database - surely they could work out a way of continuing the business.
After much soul searching and consultations with families and banks in 2009 they made a huge leap of faith and decided to take over the ownership of the company. The connection with MCI France, (who are no longer in existence) was severed but they were able to keep the name, becoming MCI Precision Screens UK Ltd. The other employees – three in total – opted to stay with the new ownership, indeed most of the staff have clocked up many years of service with the company and since then three more locals have been employed – all have a connection to Melbourn.
I had a tour of the works and was amazed by the texture of the stainless steel fabric (yes, I use the word fabric advisedly) which comes from a factory atop a mountain in Switzerland. The mesh is of the highest possible quality and specification and comes in differing thicknesses for specific purposes, but that used for medical and solar applications is generally of the finest. I saw the stretching process of the mesh on frames of varying dimensions. Some of the screens are quite large, a metre square perhaps, whilst others are smaller and more easily handled. MCI make screens for anything that needs to have an electronic or conductive current circuit of some kind. As well as medical applications, the screens are used in the motor industry and by universities in research and development departments. When the screens have been used they are returned to Melbourn where they are refurbished and recycled.
Mark is married to Hannah and has two young boys Harvey & Charlie and they all enjoy sporting activities, cycling, football and swimming whilst Lesley has a daughter of 21, Rhianne and a 13 year old son Rhys, both of whom attended Melbourn Village College. Rhys is a keen Cardiff City supporter but has been known to watch Cambridge United play. I was impressed to learn that the week before the interview Lesley and Rhys had been to Wembley and seen THE Match! What excitement! Lesley supports Rhys when he is playing for Melbourn Dynamos: Mark played cricket for Melbourn and is a retired ‘overseas’ player for the John Lewis Partnership Cricket team by virtue of the fact that his wife worked at JL! Both families like action packed holidays somewhere sunny.
I haven’t mentioned Cocoa! She is the Laidlaw’s adorable Labrador puppy who sometimes accompanies Mark to work She is very well behaved but I suspect she is a bit of a time waster as no-one can resist having a pat and a tussle with her.
There is a happy atmosphere in the building and everything is very tidy and well organised. Yet another example of the excellent work that is being carried out in Melbourn with no fanfares, just producing a first class product. We wish them continued success. Mavis Howard
