Meet The Team – Mark Smith

How did you get into the industry?

I had worked in the steel abrasive foundry industry for a long period and it was time for something new. I was offered the role as Production Manager with Anotec (formerly Anochrome Technologies) in 2019 and have been given the opportunity to progress from there.

What does your day-to-day job involve?

As Assistant General Manager, I am responsible for all aspects of the business, including budgets, forecasting, profit and loss, Health & Safety, environmental, HR and personnel. It’s an incredibly wide-ranging role. One day I could be overseeing manufacturing and the next I could be operating in a sales role or as an HR officer. The diversity within the role makes it incredibly interesting.

What are the biggest changes you have seen in the industry and company since you started?

The culture within the Anochrome Group has greatly improved during my time with the company. Today, there is a huge emphasis on supporting education and opportunity, which is excellent and has made such a positive difference to morale. If you want to progress within Anochrome, you absolutely can. I encourage and drive this culture within my own team. In fact, every one of the management team at Anotec is on some form of educational development path that will benefit both them and the business as part of the long term progression strategy. Five years ago the business was very much automotive driven but we have made a conscious decision to diversify into new markets. This has helped to make us more robust during difficult periods, such as the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and general global economic uncertainty. We have also invested in robotics, which has improved capacity and driven lead times down here. Also more customers are moving towards PFAS-free materials which are better for the environment. For many of our customers, it is no longer just about choosing the cheapest option.

What are some of your career highlights and milestones so far?

Professionally I have developed more in the last five years than I did in the previous 15 years. I missed out as a young man on higher education. Anochrome has allowed me to scratch an itch that has been with me for over 30 years. After completing a Higher National Diploma (HND) with distinction, I was given the opportunity to embark on a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management with Northumbria University. I am due to complete that in May next year, all being well. The degree has given me a different perspective on both my professional and personal life. I’m really enjoying it. 

What is your favourite thing about working for Anochrome?

The culture of support from the senior management team, coupled with the strategy of developing talent from within the business, is a model for motivation and success. Spot talent, encourage talent, develop a winner.

If you could, what piece of advice would you give your younger self?

Education is great. I’d tell my younger self not to be afraid of failure as it is by failing that we learn some of the most important lessons. The key is to learn from failure and not make the same mistake twice! The only people that have never failed are those that haven’t done anything.