My 50-Year Unipart Journey - Clive Porter

Clive Porter kicks of this new mini series on My 50-Year Unipart Journey. Tying in the 50th Anniversary of Unipart and the MIA awards.

In celebration of Unipart’s 50th anniversary, over the next few weeks we will be celebrating four of our colleagues who have achieved a remarkable 50 years of service.

Three of these colleagues will be recognised with a special 50 year service award at the Mark in Action ceremony on 29 October. This week we share the story of Clive Porter…

Clive joined Unipart 51 years ago so he has quite the career story! From dreams of becoming a motor racing driver to Unipart Rail Technical Development Manager. Here's what he had to say:

The Beginning

When I was young, I wanted to be a motor racing driver. It feels like a lifetime ago now, but back then, it wasn’t just the thrill of the race that caught my imagination - it was the intricate engineering and the design elements that fascinated me. I was captivated by the behind-the-scenes innovation and technology that powered the sport. While I never became a professional driver, my love for engineering led me down a path that has been equally exciting and impactful.

Clive's Career Journey through the years

I've been with Unipart since 1973, working at the Southport site for my entire career. Over the years, my roles have evolved as the company itself has grown and transformed. I’ve had the chance to travel the world - from Ireland and Germany to the US, China, and Australia, taking on new challenges and opportunities as they arose.

In the 1990s, I played a key role in steering the company’s focus towards the rail industry. This shift led to the development of one of our greatest assets - our diverse range of products. I've worn many hats throughout my career, including, Apprentice Electrical Fitter, Junior Draughtsman, Product Designer, Press Shop Foreman, Test Engineer, Technical Sales Engineer, and Product Management.

These roles have shaped my career and allowed me to grow alongside the company.

Learning and Development: A Lifelong Journey

Unipart’s growth over the years demanded continuous learning, and I was fortunate to receive extensive support along the way. I completed an apprenticeship early on and as the company’s manufacturing needs expanded, so did the necessity for knowledge in multiple disciplines. This learning journey led me to gain expertise in:

• Tool, Hydraulic, Pneumatic, and Circuit Design
• CAD Design and Railway Signalling
• Optical Systems for Road and Rail Products
• Quality and Sales Techniques
• Manufacturing Processes both on-site and off-site, from machining and plating to 3D printing

The breadth of skills I developed here has been instrumental in enabling me to tackle challenges across different domains and innovate for our customers.

What The Unipart Way Means to Clive

The Unipart Way is more than just a set of principles - it’s a philosophy that equips us with the tools to solve customer problems efficiently and bring innovative solutions to market. Of all the training I’ve received, the Miller Heiman Strategic Selling (Blue Sheet) Course stands out the most. It taught me how to understand the sales process in a way that aligns with the customer’s needs and provided insight into the roles various stakeholders play.

This approach has enabled us to create products that aren't just another entry in the market but truly stand out with unique characteristics. We focus on delivering solutions that help our customers reduce the total cost of ownership of their signalling assets, making their operations more efficient.

Unipart has always encouraged exploring new markets and products for growth. I've been lucky to be a part of that journey, helping to shape the company’s direction and contribute to its success. What makes Unipart so special is its people - the colleagues and collaborators I’ve worked with over the years, and the company's unwavering focus on innovation and growth.

Clive’s Standout Memories

Unipart’s 50th anniversary is a great time to reflect on the many memories I've gathered over the years. Some are serious, while others are just plain fun:

• Watching Barry Wright (our technical manager) test drive a Mk1 VW Golf at 50 mph into a road safety barrier - an unforgettable experience!
• Wind tunnel testing a magnetic vehicle beacon at an incredible 235 mph - when our competitors couldn’t even achieve 50 mph.
• Blowing up miniature circuit breakers during short-circuit tests in the Dorman Smith laboratory - exciting but nerve-wracking!
• Securing Network Rail Product Acceptance for the first LED Colour Light Signal to be used on the UK rail network. We were the last to enter the race for the West Coast Route and the first to gain product acceptance - three years ahead of our competitors. That was a pivotal moment in reducing signalling maintenance costs.
• Helping Unipart secure a major contract with the USRC in Toronto, selling 375 Classic Colour Light Signals - an important entry into the North American market.
• Witnessing the success of our Wayside Signal in North America, selling over 15,000 units in just five years.
• Working on the Wayside Signal Safety Case, which now serves as a template for similar safety documentation across the industry.

As we celebrate 50 years, I’m proud to have been a part of this incredible journey and excited to see what the future holds. Here’s to the next chapter!

Watch the October Mark in Action Ceremony

The October Mark in Action ceremony is now available to watch again here.

Nominate now!

We are looking for your stories about colleagues who have gone the extra mile on behalf of their customer or colleague and behaved with CARE. If you know anyone worthy of a Mark in Action Award and want to make a nomination, please get in touch with Katie Geddes and she can support you through the process. Alternatively you can make a nomination by using the online Mark in Action nomination system here.