National Manufacturing Day: From Lemons to Forklifts!

Written by kirsty

Inspiring the Next Generation on National Manufacturing Day 

On Thursday 25th September, we proudly opened our doors to 64 Year 4 pupils from Matchborough First School Academy in Redditch to celebrate National Manufacturing Day, an annual initiative led by Make UK to showcase the exciting opportunities within British manufacturing. 

For many of the 8–9-year-olds, this was their first time stepping inside a working factory. The aim of the visit was to help children see how science and technology are applied in real life, inspiring curiosity about the world of engineering and manufacturing. 

A Hands-On Afternoon of Learning and Fun 

The visit began with a short introduction to what a factory is and what we make here at TRT Lighting — from designing and assembling luminaires to testing them before they’re shipped across the UK and beyond. 

The children then split into smaller groups to take part in a series of activities designed to make learning about manufacturing fun and interactive: 

🔋 Lemon Power Experiment – using lemons, wires, and a digital timer, pupils discovered how fruit can conduct electricity and complete a circuit — creating their very own “lemon battery.” 

🕵️‍♀️ Guess the Job Game – children matched seven photos of TRT team members to their job roles, from Assembly Floor Supervisor to Paint Shop Supervisor to Managing Director — breaking down gender stereotypes and highlighting the variety of careers in manufacturing. 

🏭 Factory Tour – groups explored the paint shop, assembly lines, and warehouse, where they saw how components move through production and storage — including our impressive automated parts system. 

🚜 Forklift Photo Stop – no visit was complete without a turn sitting on one of our forklift trucks for a photo opportunity! 

🎁 Goody Bags to Take Home – each child left with a small gift and a big smile. 

The Children’s Perspective

The feedback from the pupils says it all: 

“I enjoyed making an electrical circuit using lemons. I didn’t know they could also be batteries.” – Abraham, 4R 

“I loved sitting on the forklift truck. It made me feel really grown up!” – Skye, 4R 

“I liked seeing all the different parts to make a street light and how they are stored in something that looked like a giant vending machine!” – Ethan, 4R 

“We got to use drills and blow air at each other.” – Mason, 4C 

Lighting Up Future Careers 

For TRT Lighting, the event wasn’t just about showcasing what we do — it was about sparking curiosity, breaking stereotypes, and helping young people see themselves in future STEM careers. 

Hosting our local school also had a positive impact on our own team. It was a day full of laughter, learning, and a reminder of why we’re proud to be part of a British manufacturing community that’s shaping the future. 

“It was brilliant to see the children so engaged and excited,” said one member of the TRT team. “They asked great questions and really got stuck in — hopefully we’ve inspired a few future engineers.” 

Proud to Support Make UK 

TRT Lighting is proud to be part of Make UK’s National Manufacturing Day, celebrating the value of manufacturing and the people who make it possible. 

We’d like to thank Matchborough First School Academy for joining us, and everyone at TRT who made the visit such a success. 

Who knows — perhaps some of those curious young minds will be leading the next generation of innovation right here in Redditch one day!