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Author: sertec_admin

Announcement from Julie Crombie – Group Purchasing Manager

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Having started out as an expeditor many years ago and working my way up through the ranks of Buyer, Procurement Manager, Purchasing Director, always in a manufacturing environment and predominantly in the Automotive Industry. The knowledge and experience I bring to Sertec is a perfect alignment with the Sertec vision and as part of the improvement and development strategy for the Purchasing Department, there are a number of changes that I would like to make you aware of.

I’ve reviewed the purchase structure which is now concluded and I have completed the strategy to develop the department into a commodity/category management style of purchasing where each manager and buyer is given a number of commodities to manage and effectively becomes the expert in the end to end procurement process for their chosen commodities. Focusing on the pre-award process, NPI, category analysis, demand management, supply market characteristics, sourcing, price negotiations, contract management, performance management and aftermarket.

I attach a copy of the new Purchase Structure for your perusal and it is my intention over the coming weeks to attend each of our sites to formally present the structure, discuss the changes and identify what impact these changes may have in your areas.

To enable the purchasing vision to come to fruition, specialist recruitment has taken place and an internal promotion. To this effect I am extremely pleased to announce the promotion of Bryn Steggles to Group Commodity Manager and I am delighted to welcome Alison Shingles, Group Commodity Manager and Ian Marley, Group Commodity Buyer into the Sertec Group.

Bryn joined Sertec in 2009 as a spot weld engineer before progressing in to a buying role. Bryn found his vocation within the Purchasing department and his career took off leading him to a management secondment at our plant in Estonia for 3 years, where he played a vital role in the day to day management of the plant until its sale in 2014. Bryn’s knowledge and experience in purchasing has enabled him to become the right fit for this promotion and it is thoroughly deserved.

Alison brings to Sertec a wealth of knowledge and experience from her many years in Purchasing; she has spent the past 12 years at Aston Martin at a senior level advancing in Total Delivered Cost, Total Value Management and Powertrain. With her strong automotive background and working within a commodity management structure, Alison has the key attributes which will help her to quickly establish her role in the organisation and she will become a key driver in Sertec’s future.

Ian also has an extensive automotive background, spending his career in the Purchasing function in Buying and Purchasing Management roles for Tier 1 suppliers. He has spent the last 10 years at UYT (CPA), a supplier partially owned by Honda, this means he is fully conversant with the protocols and procedures of a Japanese OEM. Ian’s comprehensive knowledge in BIW, BOP, raw material purchasing and NPI are important skills required to enhance our new purchasing structure.

On behalf of the Sertec Group I would like to congratulate Bryn on his new position and I am delighted to welcome new faces into the Group – wishing you all the very best of luck.

Alison Shingles

Bryn Steggles

Ian Marley

Introducing Matthew Oakley

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Matt is a highly regarded senior logistics professional with expertise in delivering green-field logistics operations and delivering continuous improvement through an operational excellence approach.

Matt will be working closely with Scott Taylor and the rest of the Team to drive operational efficiencies, cost control, and support the continued growth of Sertec.

Matt brings over 15 years of logistics leadership experience to Sertec, having previously worked as a senior manager for Grupo Antolin, Jaguar Land Rover, Royal Mail, and in Logistics consultancy roles.

I am sure that you will all join me in congratulating Matt on his appointment and as ‘one group’ we will work together to make the business even more successful in the future.

Investing in Apprenticeships

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In May, Sertec hosted the launch of the Improvement Practitioner Apprenticeship in partnership with Capella associates, to support members of our Quality and Systems teams in attaining further knowledge and Qualifications.

Over the next 17 months, Elizabeth Lippett, Chris Stains and Lee Chatfield will be supported by Peter Pugh and Martyn Hughes as they work towards completing a number of improvement projects; using a blend of Lean, Six Sigma and change management tools. This apprenticeship combines world- class “thinking” with tools in problem solving and process improvement, providing them with knowledge, skills and professional behaviours to support them in the work place.

The programme includes 16 delegates from 5 companies giving the team a real opportunity to share best practice and learn from their peers as they put the learning into action in the work place. We look forward to supporting this programme over the coming months and seeing the results of the improvement projects.

Kariss Rowe on Apprenticeships

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For more information on Apprenticeships click here.

What made you want to do an Apprenticeship? The thought that I could gain higher level qualifications alongside gaining experience in engineering. Being an Apprentice is such a valuable experience I would recommend anyone to follow the same pathway and Sertec are such a support.

What is the most valuable thing that being an Apprentice has taught you? That college work is nothing like the work you will undertake at your company. Also to be in confident and listen to any advice/criticism you are given.

What has been the most enjoyable part of your Apprenticeship? I would say working in different departments with different groups of people at different sites. It has helped me to use my knowledge and skills that I have learnt and apply them in a different job role.

Jack Robinson on Apprenticeships

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“I have been tasked me with challenging but exciting responsibilities such as buying off press tools to Sertec’s manufacturing sites for the purpose of supplying quality assured parts to our various customers. My manager has put great trust within me to represent Sertec to manage suppliers and attend meetings with the customers, despite only being in the position for just under two years, the job is very rewarding and I am gaining valuable experience every day.”

The most valuable experience Jack has gained is facing problems head on with the right outgoing and professional attitude; “no two engineering problems you will face are going to be exactly the same and you will face challenges every day at work, but as long you approach it with the correct method and attitude you can overcome any problems that you are tasked with”.

Commercial Department Announcement

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We start with the centralisation of the whole Commercial team from Precision Components to Wincaster House, where they are located on the first floor alongside our Engineering and Purchasing teams. This is an essential move to help develop, progress and bring the teams together, whilst enhancing our services internally and externally.

Secondly, we congratulate Richard Lane who will be exiting the business in September as he begins his retirement. Richard started work in 1989 after graduating university as a ‘Senior Production Engineer’, he successfully climbed up the ladder and eventually joined Wild Springs and Wireforms in 2004 as ‘Director & General Manager’; growing it from £4million to £7million business. Richard has amassed extensive experience in Commercial through his varied roles throughout his 29 year career, thus, progressing to Director in charge of Commercial activity; growing Wild from £8 million to £50 million business.

Furthermore, we would like to congratulate Adam Smith, John Baker, Tom Singleton and Wayne Woodall for their promotions to Assistant Commercial Manager – these advancements are thoroughly deserved and we wish them every success.

Ben Higgins will assume overall Group responsibility for all Commercial activities with the Commercial team reporting directly into Carol Henderson as Head of Commercial. Carol will be supported by a team of Senior Managers who all have a wealth of knowledge and experience in the business and will be tasked with leading and supporting new customers.

We believe these changes will provide an improvement in overall business performance and a focus on meeting the increased demands of our customers.

Solihull Apprenticeship Show

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As one on the largest independent manufactures of presswork and assemblies in Europe, producing and distributing in excess of 4 million parts per week, Sertec know that our exceptional success is based upon our constant awareness that our people are our most valued resource and in 2018 we are looking to expand our Apprenticeship Programme further, recruiting across our Engineering and Business departments.

If you want to know more, please come and speak to Rachel and the team at the Sertec stand or email Rachel.starkey@sertec.co.uk

Justice for the 21

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We have donated £2100 which is £100 per person who sadly lost their lives that day in November 1974.

All money goes towards the campaign to fight for legal aid to get justice for the 21 people.

Grant Adams, CEO and Martyn Hughes, Finance Director pictured here handing the cheque over to Julie and Brian Hambleton who are the founders for ‘Justice for the 21’. Julie and Brian lost their sister, Maxine, at the age of 18 in the bombings that day.

If you would like to donate or for more information please click here.

Who murdered Maxine?