Two new appointments for Donaldson Timber Engineering

Donaldson Timber Engineering (DTE) has appointed a new product developer, in conjunction with Edinburgh Napier University, and has awarded a scholarship for studies in the MSc Advanced Structural Engineering programme, also at Napier.

Adèle Chabert has joined DTE in a product development role, which will see her working for the company in research and development.

Based primarily at Napier University, Chabert’s remit is initially to further develop DTE’s award-winning health and safety product SafeStep, both from a materials and scope of use perspective, and thereafter she will be investigating and developing offsite modular and panelised roof systems.

Meanwhile, DTE has also awarded a scholarship to Wojciech Plowas for his studies in the MSc Advanced Structural Engineering programme at Napier. As part of his Master’s dissertation, Plowas will carry out research work for DTE and will support Chabert in her research on improving onsite health and safety, while working at height with engineered timber products.

DTE’s managing director, Jonathan Fellingham, said: “Adèle and Wojciech will be working together on a new project for us that will hopefully lead to innovative developments for the UK housing market.

“We’ve had great success with SafeStep since its launch last year but we also see further challenges. Creating SafeStep has spurred us on to look at ways to develop more products, and bringing in Adèle and Wojciech is a way for us to place an added emphasis on R&D without shifting focus away from our customers and the work we’re already doing. I look forward to seeing the results.”