Matt Murray

Matt has been with EMP Designs for five years and leads the manufacturing team, ensuring projects move efficiently from design into production. Drawing on experience gained across a variety of industries, he brings a practical, hands-on approach to problem solving and plays a key role in maintaining the collaborative culture that defines EMP Designs.

 

Tell us about your role at EMP Designs.

My role is really about making sure everything runs smoothly. When I arrive each morning, my focus is on making sure the manufacturing team understands what they're working on, has everything they need, and can get on with the job efficiently. I also spend a lot of time working alongside the R&D team whenever production-related issues arise. A large part of my job is helping remove obstacles and making sure projects flow through the business as smoothly as possible.

 

How long have you been with EMP Designs?

I've been with EMP Designs for five years.

 

What has been the most interesting project you've worked on?

There have been several, but one of the most memorable was the Vulcan project. Before joining EMP Designs, I had worked on motion control systems in previous roles, but those systems were often large, complex, and relied on substantial amounts of hardware. What fascinated me about the Vulcan project was seeing that same level of capability achieved in an incredibly compact space. The engineering involved was impressive. Seeing sophisticated motion control delivered within such a small footprint really highlighted what can be achieved when talented people work together. Another project that stands out was when we needed a solution for sealing Aquabats during a production. Rather than searching for an off-the-shelf answer, we designed and built our own equipment. For me, that perfectly demonstrates what makes EMP Designs unique. We have the skills and experience to develop bespoke solutions when they don't already exist. Seeing those ideas become working systems is always rewarding.

 

Having worked in larger organisations before joining EMP Designs, what surprised you most about the company?

The biggest difference is the teamwork. In large corporate organisations, you often have strong teams, but they're usually separated into departments that operate independently. At EMP Designs, everyone works together as a single team. Although we have dedicated manufacturing and R&D departments, there isn't a divide between them. When a problem needs solving, people come together to find the answer regardless of which department they belong to. In larger companies, it's common for an issue to be assigned to an individual with responsibility for fixing it. Here, everyone contributes. That willingness to collaborate is probably the biggest difference I've experienced.

 

What makes EMP Designs different from other places you've worked?

The culture. Corporate environments can sometimes be highly competitive, with people focused on protecting their position or advancing their own interests. At EMP Designs, everyone genuinely wants each other to succeed. People enjoy working together, support one another, and spend time together outside of work. Whether we're collaborating on a project or meeting at the pub after work, there's a real sense of friendship throughout the company. For me, it feels much more like a family than a workplace.

 

What kind of people succeed at EMP Designs?

People who enjoy being part of a close-knit team. Because we're a relatively small company, everyone needs to contribute. It's important that people are willing to get involved, learn new skills, and support those around them. Confidence can take time to develop, particularly for apprentices or people early in their careers. We've seen many young engineers arrive quietly and gradually grow into confident members of the team. More important than confidence on day one is enthusiasm and a willingness to get involved. We look for people who want to understand the whole business rather than focusing on a single discipline. Whether it's electronics, manufacturing, software, or motion control, having a genuine interest in learning and contributing across different areas is incredibly valuable.

 

How would you describe EMP Designs in three words?

Innovative. Fun. Family.

 

What excites you most about the future of the company?

The opportunity for sustainable growth. Over the years we've worked hard to build a strong business, and one of the most exciting developments is the growth of our distribution network. By expanding our customer base and working with distributors, we're creating a more diverse and resilient business. For me, that's an exciting place to be because it creates long-term stability while allowing us to continue doing the innovative work that makes EMP Designs special.

 

How varied is the work in manufacturing?

For the manufacturing team, it's incredibly varied. One day they could be carrying out repairs, the next they might be assembling electronics for a motion control system, and then move on to a completely different project the day after. My own role is slightly different. My focus is on providing consistency and stability while the projects themselves constantly change around us. The variety comes from supporting all those different activities and ensuring the team has what it needs to deliver them successfully.

 

What has been the most challenging project you've worked on?

One of the biggest challenges has actually been the internal tooling and equipment we've developed ourselves. Building bespoke manufacturing equipment requires us to solve problems that don't always have obvious solutions. The machine we developed to seal the Aquabats is a good example of this. From a manufacturing perspective, we often become involved after many of the design challenges have been solved by the R&D team. Our challenge is making those solutions practical, repeatable, and reliable in production. That's where the collaboration between departments becomes so important.

 

Finally, what keeps you motivated?

The people. Working alongside a team that genuinely enjoys solving problems together makes every day enjoyable. The projects are always interesting, but it's the culture, teamwork, and sense of shared achievement that make EMP Designs such a rewarding place to work.