Jacob Parsons: Excelling in Product Design and Target Rifle Shooting

By day, Jacob Parsons is a skilled product design engineer for VIP-Polymers, creating innovative solutions with precision and attention to detail. By night and on weekends, he channels those same qualities into his passion for target rifle shooting. Jacob’s expertise in both fields recently earned him a sponsorship from VIP-Polymers.

From Engineering to Shooting

Jacob’s work as a product design engineer withing the company and his target rifle shooting shares a common trend: Precision. In his engineering role, he meticulously designs products, ensuring every detail is perfect. This same focus and care are evident in his shooting, where accuracy and control are crucial.

Jacob started shooting aged 14 with the Cadets, where he quickly got involved in competitive shooting and has since gone on to represent Great Britain on several occasions as a junior.

About Target Rifle Shooting

Target rifle shooting is a challenging sport which involves prone single shot precision shooting at targets set distances between 300 to 1200 yards (275 to 1100 meters). Jacob uses a specialized rifle, a System Gemini (7.62×51mm NATO), single-shot, bolt-action rifle ideal for both short and long-range shooting, built here in the UK.  As well as being able to hold a steady aim, the key challenge is being able to judge and allow for the direction and strength of the wind and other weather conditions especially at the longer ranges.

Recent Competitions and Achievements

Jacob has recently competed in two major events, showcasing his skill and dedication:

UK NRA Inter Counties Challenge Trophy (June 8-9)

Jacob image 2

Held at the National Shooting Centre in Surrey, this event tested shooters over two days:

• Day 1 focused on short-range shooting.
• Day 2 moved to long-range targets.

Jacob represented Sussex; a county known for its strong shooting teams. The Sussex team, consisting of 8 shooters, 2 wind coaches, and a captain, competed against 21 other teams from 25 counties, totaling around 250 competitors. Despite tough, windy conditions, Jacob and his team performed exceptionally well, securing the bronze medal. This was a significant achievement, given how competitive it is to get a place in the Sussex team, which includes world champions, Queens Prize winners, and a Commonwealth Games medalist.

Scottish Open Championships (June 14-16)

Jacob traveled to the Scottish Highlands to compete in the Scottish Open Championships at Jubilee Range, Blair Atholl. Despite challenging wet weather, the competition saw very high scores. Jacob stood out as one of the top English shooters at the event:

• During the long-range competition on Sunday, he achieved the joint top score, not dropping any points.
• Overall, he placed 14th in the Association Gold and Silver Medal match at short range, highlighting his consistent performance across different conditions.

VIP-Polymers Sponsorship: A Boost to Excellence

VIP’s sponsorship is a game-changer for Jacob. It provides him with the resources to enhance his skills, upgrade his equipment, and compete in more prestigious events. This support is crucial as Jacob continues to balance his career in product design with his passion for shooting.

Looking Ahead

With VIP-Polymers backing him, Jacob is poised to reach new heights in both his engineering career and his shooting sport. He embodies the precision and dedication required to excel in both arenas. Whether he’s crafting the next innovative product or aiming for a distant target, Jacob is a model of excellence.

Stay tuned for updates on Jacob’s progress in upcoming competitions and his ongoing journey with VIP-Polymers sponsorship.

Learn More About Target Rifle Shooting

If you’re interested in learning more about target rifle shooting, check out the following resources:

• • National Rifle Association of the United Kingdom (NRA UK)

Ecovadis have awarded VIP with a silver award for 2023

In 2022 VIP were awarded a Ecovadis bronze award. The Quality and Systems team completed VIPs 2023 Ecovadis submission in March 2023. Our submission has been assessed, and this year, due to implemented improvements, we received a silver award, placing VIP among the top 25 per cent of companies assessed by Ecovadis.

With increased customer demand for transparency, an environmental, societal governance rating is a valuable tool to show an organisation’s commitment to sustainability and ongoing development.

What does it mean for VIP-Polymers?

The assessment shows VIP-Polymers their strengths and areas of opportunity, helping us focus on how to make valuable improvements. It also provides our existing and potential customers with a transparent reflection of our sustainability initiatives.

Since its founding in 2007, EcoVadis has grown to become the world’s largest and most trusted provider of business sustainability ratings, creating a global network of more than 100,000+ rated companies.

Sustainability Requirements are Expanding.  Are You Prepared?

To learn more about Ecovadis – https://ecovadis.com/

What a year 2022 has been; just when we believed life was getting back to normal after COVID, we have one month of rest-bite before the whole world gets turned upside down due to the conflict in Ukraine, which had some considerable knock-on effects.

It’s safe to say that as a country, we rely a lot on the efforts of other countries; the shortage of raw materials needed to produce rubber has been challenging; add to this, the increase in energy costs it’s been a difficult juggling act. We are now battling record-breaking inflation and the prospect of a tough recession, all of which are hitting each of us, not just here in the UK but worldwide. The UK Government was in turmoil for most of the year, with in-house fighting, coos, resignations (some sooner than expected), scandal and more.

Difficult times bring on some of the most significant changes; as the end of the year approaches, VIP-Polymers are getting ready to celebrate its 100th year. When you look back in the history books, VIP-Polymers have been through many ups and downs with Wars, Recessions, The joining of the EU & BREXIT, Changes in Governments, Laws, New Monarchs, Pandemics the list is endless. However, we have come through all these changes as a company and are still here to tell our story.

It’s pretty evident that as a business VIP have to look outside the box during these difficult times, which is not a wrong move as it allows the company to look at new ways to become more efficient, reduce energy cost, and reduce waste all while making sure we keep and improve on our ongoing commitment to you our customers in terms of support, development of new products, guidance and so on.

You may have seen our recent update regarding the significant investment of 3 new Maplan Rapid+460 Injection moulding machines, and the benefits these will have. Of course, there is also the ongoing updating/improvement of our current production lines to become more efficient and increase production capabilities.

We are also continuing to reduce our overall carbon footprint. Out of the 9 Company cars currently on the books, over half of these are EV/Hybrid, with 3 being full EVs. The vehicles that are still Petrol/Diesel models are due to be changed alongside the Hybrid models. Still, global car manufacturing industry delays are being seen due to difficulties in obtaining components. By QTR4, at the latest, all colleagues will have access to their new EV cars, meaning that the entire EV fleet of company cars will help reduce the company’s Carbon footprint substantially.

We are also increasing our In-House design, testing & development to look at new product lines and development of current products for our existing and new & emerging markets.

We want to thank all our Customers, suppliers, colleagues, and their families for their continued support throughout 2022; we hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. We look forward to celebrating our 100th year together in 2023.

Earlier this year, VIP-Polymers decided to invest in increasing production capacity, whilst reducing energy costs.

An order was placed with MAPLAN for 3 state-of-the-art RAPID+460 Automated Injection Moulding Machines.

As with most things these past 12 months, there were delays due to delays in components/materials needed to manufacture these machines, but VIP is pleased to announce that they have taken delivery of the new machines.

Not the most ideal days to take delivery, after a heavy snowfall Sunday evening and below-freezing temperatures for unloading 3 trucks first thing on a Monday morning.  With the snow cleared to allow access for the Crane and trucks the job of unloading was underway.

The machines are now in situ, in a brand new production cell in the factory, installed and ready for setting up and calibration in the new year, ready to run full production by the end of January.

This is a great way to start VIP’s 100th Year.