ICME are pleased to award Mr Kenneth Victor Barr  BSc CEng MIMMM MCQI CQP Prof MICME SenMWeldI – a Silver Pin recognising three decades of unwavering commitment and membership.

In 2026 Kenneth was awarded a prestigious Silver Long Service Pin by The Institute of Cast Metal Engineers for 30 years continuous membership, this is indeed an honour of which he is justly proud.

Foundry Technology has played a major part in his long eventful career.  In 1975, as a young Queen’s University undergraduate, the scale of the foundry industry became evident to Kenneth while observing operations at Harland & Wolff; Belfast’s renowned shipbuilding company. Kenneth witnessed the pouring of 35 tonnes of molten cast iron into a sand mould to create a marine diesel engine housing, an image that is ingrained in his memory, Kenneth also had the privilege of seeing magnesium impregnated coke being plunged into cast iron to form spheroidal graphite cast iron, the flare from the magnesium was spectacular!

As Technical Centre Manager at Harland & Wolff, he managed a Laboratory, Mechanical Test House and Non-Destructive Test Facility all designed to control the quality of castings.  Kenneth also managed The Welding Centre at Harland & Wolff which involved molten metal albeit that the method of delivery was somewhat different to casting.

Foundry Technology, Metallurgy and Weld Engineering have been the three pillars upon which Kenneth has built his career.

Kenneth was a Lecturer in Foundry Practice at The Belfast Metropolitan College Foundry for 24 years, this unique facility was used by both Engineering and Art students to produce castings, using sand casting, lost foam and ceramic shell lost wax casting methods, bronze and aluminium were the main metals cast.

Kenneth would like to thank The Institute of Cast Metal Engineers for their support during his 30 years of membership, a special note of thanks also to The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining who assisted his career as a Metallurgist at James Mackie & Sons, a world-famous company that manufactures textile machinery.

Kenneth must also thank The Welding Institute for awarding him the title Certified International and European Welding Engineer, this qualification is recognised throughout the entire Engineering world. In 2020 Kenneth received a loyal service award from The Welding Institute having been a member since 1980.  With support from engineering professional bodies, Kenneth founded his own company trading as K V Barr Consultancy Services in 1996, his company provides services relating to Welding Engineering, Metallurgy and Foundry Technology.

Kenneth would advise all young engineers to join Engineering Professional Bodies such as ICME as their support is invaluable.