Aberdeen-based Denis Noble has been nominated for am industry Oscar Denis Noble, the Workshop Planning Manager at First Aberdeen, has been shortlisted for the "Innovation" prize at the UK Bus Awards, the industry's equivalent of the Oscars. The Aberdeen-based worker was shortlisted after saving the company thousands of pounds, following his initiative in becoming an inventor and designing a piece of kit which helps maintain the company's 32 bendy buses. Until the 67-year-old came up with brainwave, the transport firm used a specialist contractor, based outside Aberdeen, to repair and maintain "turntable rams," which are located in the middle section of a bendy bus and help keep the vehicle aligned. However, the financial outlay incurred in taking the vehicles out of service and transporting them off-site, as well as paying for the cost of the repairs, was proving expensive. But now, in the aftermath of Noble's Caractacus Potts-style innovation, the job can be done in-house, thanks to Denis" design of a unique oil storage tank with pump. "I was increasingly frustrated with the overall cost to the business," said Noble, who has been an engineer at First Aberdeen for nearly three years. There seemed to me to be a relatively simple alternative, and so I sketched out some designs, approached a local engineering company and had it built. I was confident it would be successful but it proved to be even more effective than I had anticipated. I have made tools for specific jobs before - it's something I enjoy doing. But, for the time being, my focus has returned to my day job of ensuring that our buses deliver a good service for customers. Duncan Cameron, First Aberdeen's Director and General Manager, predicted that Noble's invention would save the company more than £15,000 a year. He said: "For the few weeks that it has been in operation, it has proved incredibly successful. Denis" attention to detail and flair for engineering has certainly reaped rewards. In identifying efficiencies like this and saving the company money, we are able to use those savings to re-invest in the business and improve services for customers. Originally from Glasgow, Noble has spent his career, which spans more than 40 years, working in the transport industry. He has enjoyed roles as a driver, mechanic, engineer and director at a range of bus and haulage companies in Scotland. Do you know of anybody who is good at inventing things?