At Broder Metals Group, we believe the future of engineering depends on giving talented students the opportunity to turn theory into real-world experience.
As part of our commitment to supporting education, innovation and the development of future engineers, Broder Metals was proud to sponsor Formula Student teams from the University of Sheffield and Loughborough University as they prepared to compete at Formula Student at Silverstone.
Formula Student challenges University teams to design, manufacture, develop and compete with their own single-seat racing car. It gives students first-hand experience of the pressures and challenges found within professional engineering. From material selection and manufacturing through to testing, teamwork, project management and competition.
For Broder Metals, supporting the programme was a natural fit.
More than Sponsorship
Our involvement goes beyond simply placing the Broder Metals name on a car.
We want to encourage young engineers to develop the practical skills, confidence and technical understanding that will help them build successful careers within engineering, manufacturing and related industries.
By supporting the Sheffield and Loughborough teams, Broder Metals helped students take ideas developed in the classroom and apply them to a demanding, real-world engineering project.
Formula Student requires students to work collaboratively across a wide range of disciplines, making decisions around design, performance, reliability, materials, cost and manufacturing which are many of the same considerations faced by engineers throughout the industry everyday.
“Supporting Formula Student is about investing in people as much as engineering. These students represent the next generation of designers, engineers and innovators, and we are proud to play a part in their development.”
From the Workshop to Silverstone
The culmination of months of design, development and testing saw the University teams take their cars to Silverstone, one of the world’s most recognised motorsport venues.
Formula Student provides an environment in which students can demonstrate not only technical ability, but also resilience, teamwork and problem-solving under pressure.
These are qualities that Broder Metals values throughout its own business.
Supporting both the University of Sheffield and Loughborough University also gives Broder Metals an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between industry and education.
By engaging with students while they are still developing their skills, businesses can help inspire future careers, share industry knowledge and demonstrate the breadth of opportunities available within engineering and advanced manufacturing.
Building Stronger Links between Education and Industry
Broder Metals supplies specialist metals and materials to customers operating across demanding sectors where quality, technical knowledge and reliability are essential.
Supporting initiatives such as Formula Student allows us to contribute to the wider engineering community while encouraging students to explore careers within the industries our products ultimately support.
We believe businesses have an important role to play in developing future talent.
Our sponsorship of the Sheffield and Loughborough Formula Student teams reflects our wider commitment to:
- Supporting students and young engineers
- Encouraging STEM education and practical engineering
- Promoting innovation and technical excellence
- Creating stronger links between universities and industry
- Helping develop the engineering talent of the future
Proud to Support Tomorrow's Engineers
Loughborough University’s Formula Student team, LUMotorsport, shares how Broder Metals’ support has contributed to the development of their latest race car:
Broder have been a long-standing supporter of LUMotorsport, providing the team with the necessary materials to build their single-seater race car for the Formula Student competition.
For LFS26, Broder metals were used across the car, helping to build key systems such as the aerodynamics package, floor extraction system, and chassis & suspension jigs. This support allowed LUMotorsport to compete at Formula Student UK, at Silverstone circuit, where the team placed 25th. Despite not running at the event, the team were able to complete post-event testing, which saw LFS26 take to track, completing 20km of running. The team’s focus will now switch to LFS27, building on the data obtained from this testing.
A key use of Broder’s material is the LFS26’s rear subframe. The aluminium 7075 plate sits at the back of the car, and provides torsional stiffness to the chassis, as well as a mounting location for the suspension and drivetrain system.
Every year, Broder plays an integral part in the manufacture of LUMotorsport’s car, providing an incredible learning opportunity to the students in the team. The team are incredibly grateful for the guidance and support that Broder offer, with the material provided making the development of each car possible.
