Product Development Engineer, Canyon Europe Limited - Neil Ryan

Neil Ryan graduated from Queen’s University Belfast with a degree in Manufacturing Engineering, before working with Hewlett-Packard Manufacturing Ltd, Dublin, as a Process Engineer for a year.

In mid-2003, he returned to Queen’s University to work with them in association with Canyon Europe Limited on his Knowledge Transfer Partnership project.

Canyon is a global organisation originally established in Japan in 1963 by the inventor of the world’s first trigger sprayer, Tetsuya Tada. Since then, the company has constantly worked to develop world class, innovative and environmentally friendly trigger sprayers and pump dispensing systems for use in both the consumer and industrial markets.

Canyon Europe Ltd was established in Mallusk, Northern Ireland, as the company’s UK and Europeanmanufacturing base in 1987.

This KTP was set up to optimise the materials and processes used within Canyon’s manufacturing methods, and to introduce new technologies and establish product design to increase the company’scompetitive edge. Through this work, the company has benefited from a significant increase in its share of the European market. It has recently invested £10 million in extending its factory to include a new design department. Staff numbers have increased by 40% to cater for product demand.