David Moir On Rethinking Manufacturing As A Strategic Engineering Partnership
For a long time, manufacturing has been viewed as a straightforward exchange. A design is handed over, a part is produced, and the process ends there. According to David Moir of Procision Manufacturing, a custom manufacturing and engineering company, that perception is beginning to change.
“Manufacturing has traditionally been seen as a service that responds,” says Moir. “But the reality today is that the most effective manufacturers are those who contribute long before production even begins.”
According to Moir, industries are increasingly becoming more complex, and companies are looking for partners who can think alongside them. “What we are seeing is that companies now want partners who understand design, anticipate challenges, and help shape outcomes,” he says.
Procision Manufacturing prides itself on being a product development partner that integrates engineering insight into every stage of the process. “The earlier we are involved, the more value we can create,” Moir explains. “It is about understanding how a part fits into the larger system and how it can be improved before it is even made.”
This approach, Moir notes, becomes particularly powerful when paired with advanced capabilities such as CNC machining and injection moulding. While often viewed as technical functions, these processes take on a different role when combined with engineering expertise.
“Engineering is where the real impact happens,” says Moir. “When you bring manufacturing knowledge into the design phase, you reduce risk, you improve efficiency, and you end up with a better product.”
The result, Moir adds, is a standard of quality that extends beyond a single sector. “Whether we work in automotive, med-tech, agri-tech, or other advanced industries, we apply the same principles. It’s always high standards, careful engineering, and close collaboration,” he says.
According to Moir, this model has proven especially relevant in sectors where precision is non-negotiable. “In medical manufacturing, where ISO13485 is required, there is no margin for error,” Moir notes. “That level of discipline shapes how we approach every project, regardless of the industry.”
In Moir’s view, startups often operate with limited resources and face significant pressure to get their designs right the first time. “Startups need guidance,” says Moir. “They need someone who can walk through the process with them and help avoid costly mistakes.”
Larger organisations, in his opinion, while more established, are facing their own challenges. “The size of the company does not change the need for collaboration,” Moir adds. “What matters is having a partner who is aligned with your goals.”
This philosophy is brought to life through Procision’s sponsorship of two international universities competing in the Formula Student Racing Sector, where innovation, precision, and collaboration intersect. For Procision, collaboration is not just a value, but a practical necessity, and at the core of this initiative is a clear belief that meaningful engineering progress is rarely achieved in isolation.
As Moir explains, many organisations face constraints that can restrict what they are able to achieve independently. Manufacturing limitations, alongside capability gaps in areas such as part design and tolerancing, often necessitate external expertise. These realities were a key factor in driving teams to seek out partnerships that could extend their technical reach and unlock new possibilities.
For the students, this collaboration has been transformative. Ismail Waseem, Chief Engineer Student from the UOL Racing, reflects: “The level of capability. Features and geometries that were extremely difficult or effectively impossible with our in-house manufacturing were straightforward for Procision. That removed a lot of the constraints we previously designed around and gave us much more freedom to pursue higher performance designs.”
According to Moir, acting as a strategic engineering partner has been mutually rewarding. Beyond supporting the students, the process has offered Procision’s team the opportunity to engage with highly complex components, applying advanced CNC machining techniques while also mentoring students through critical design and decision-making stages. Eric Emmenegger, Team Captain Student from UTFR, notes: “The team at Procision was immediately eager to see some of our most complex designs and refine them into a final product. It was a very welcome surprise considering the cost and complexity of our parts.”
Workshops have also played a central role in this collaboration. “They are a key part of the process; we help others understand the design, the manufacturing approach, and the decisions behind it,” Moir explains. These sessions provide students with hands-on exposure to real-world production, bridging the gap between theoretical concepts and tangible outcomes. Emmenegger also highlights this impact: “As we are a student team, Procision is directly contributing to the learning of our members through their Design-for-Manufacturing (DFM) feedback, which helps us to simplify our parts while still achieving all of the desired functions.”
For Moir, these efforts reflect a broader belief that manufacturing should be accessible, collaborative, and rooted in shared knowledge. This ethos extends beyond student partnerships. Procision integrates workshops into all of its collaborations with organisations as a standard practice, ensuring that every project becomes an opportunity for shared learning and deeper technical understanding. “There is a responsibility that comes with every project,” he says.
Moir says the industry is moving towards increased digitization. “Automated systems and online platforms are streamlining procurement, but they are also reducing direct interaction,” he adds.
For him, the future lies in a more integrated, collaborative approach. As he puts it, “We are here to be part of the team that brings ideas to life, working alongside our clients from concept through to completion.”
In a world where products are becoming more complex and timelines more demanding, that distinction is essential. “Efficiency is important, but it should not come at the cost of understanding,” Moir says. “When everything becomes transactional, details can be missed. And in the industries we work in, the details matter.”
