How did you get into the industry?
I joined a graduate training scheme back in 2003 after completing my honours degree in Mechanical Engineering and worked on placement in an aerospace fastener manufacturing company, and then subsequently in their thread locking and sealing division.
At the end of the placement, I was offered a full time position as Business Improvements Engineer and worked my way up to Technical Sales Engineer. The Anochrome Group acquired that company in December 2013 and merged us with Inlex, where I took a Technical Sales position. That led to me being able to progress into my current position as Technical Sales & HSE Manager.
What does your day-to-day role involve?
My role is really wide-ranging, with responsibility for supporting our customers with their technical enquiries and ensuring that we provide them with the optimum, most cost-effective solution for their application.
I’m the primary contact point with our supply-chain partners for both live and upcoming new materials, managing and internally reporting the sales performance of Inlex, and the ordering of raw materials for our site.
Within the HSE part of my role, I’m responsible for ensuring all day-to-day activities at Inlex are safe for our employees and identify ways that we can continue to improve in order to remain fully compliant and demonstrate best practice for our industry.
What are the biggest challenges you’ve seen in the industry and company since you started?
I have seen many challenges during my time in the industry, with external factors including the global recession back in 2008, Brexit, the fuel crisis, the COVID global pandemic, and the current Middle East and Ukraine crises, all of which have had an indirect impact on UK manufacturing.
However, the sector is remarkably resilient to these challenges and the Anochrome Group in particular has been extremely successful in adapting by focusing on continuous improvements. At Inlex specifically, we are continually investing in developing materials, application methods, machinery and processes to make them safer and more efficient.
Anochrome also invests significantly in personnel development by providing training for our staff to improve knowledge and skill sets so we can be ready to meet the challenges of the future.
What are some of your career highlights and milestones so far?
After completing my degree I thought the significant part of my education was done! However, during my career so far I have completed a CMI Level 5 Extended Diploma in Management & Leadership, a NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety, and various internal auditor and awareness courses.
Moving into a managerial position was a great opportunity for me. There are obvious daily pressures that provide many challenges, but also plenty of opportunities to develop and improve which can be extremely rewarding.
What is your favourite thing about working for Anochrome Group?
I have always felt this industry offers a great and unique opportunity to get involved in projects across a really varied range of industry sectors. We also help our wide-ranging customer base and OEMs to find solutions and make improvements to a variety of products that go out into the world for everyday use. It also provides the opportunity to meet a lot of different people and characters!
The ongoing demand to continually improve remains and it helps drive me personally to look at future challenges and how I can continue to adapt and utilise my skills and experience in the business to help meet the ever-changing demands in our sector.
If you could, what piece of advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t be afraid of the unknown, there will always be challenges but these can also represent great opportunities. As long as you are willing to work at it, learn and adapt then you can find the solutions and will both personally and professionally improve, and by working together with a positive, driven and motivated team you can and will achieve your targets.