The R&D Team

Andy heads up Cygnet Texkimp’s R&D team and is responsible for the company’s product development and innovation programme, which includes supporting projects with higher technical risk. Andy has been involved in the design of special purpose machinery in a variety of sectors for more than 25 years, joining the composites sector in 2007, developing knowledge of fibre handling and composite manufacturing through his work with all of the technologies offered by Cygnet Texkimp.

Yan holds a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from The University of Manchester and has experience in the composites sector both in China and UK for over seventeen years. Since joining Cygnet Texkimp in 2016, she has contributed to the development of advanced composite manufacturing processes, with specialised expertise in filament winding, 3D winding, and high-tension winding. She also has a broad range of knowledge of composite recycling, composite testing and characterizing, and other manufacturing technologies.

Tom works as an R&D specialist and is the technical lead for recycling technology.
Tom is a mechanical engineer and has worked in the textile industry since 2007, supporting manufacturing businesses with development of products as well as equipment. He joined Cygnet Texkimp in 2023, supporting our activities in recycling composite materials.

Tom joined Cygnet’s Texkimp’s R&D team in 2022 after graduating with a First-Class degree in Mechanical Engineering. Since then, he has developed a range of R&D and engineering skills, with extensive hands-on experience in filament winding, including both conventional and high-tension techniques. Supporting process and machine development for both customer projects and internal programmes of work.

Andy is responsible for Cygnet-Texkimps Innovation Centre where he heads up customer trials. He is an experienced composites specialist with 15+ years across aerospace and automotive manufacturing and start-up product development. Skilled in yarn spinning, weaving, knitting, and NCF production on a variety of machinery. With a strong focus on process development and streamlining to enhance efficiency and product quality.

Bradie is a first-class physics graduate from the University of Salford. She joined Cygnet Texkimp during her second year at university to complete a 12-week live R&D project, analysing the energy requirements of our carbon fibre recycling solution, DEECOM®, and subsequently became a part-time R&D Assistant alongside her third-year studies. Following her graduation in 2025, Bradie took up a full-time role as a Junior R&D Specialist. Her role involves supporting R&D and customer trials through technical reporting, machine testing, process development.