Spotlight on Ken Argent, factory manager at Mulberry

6th Dec 2007

1. What excites you about your day-to-day work?
When the workforce is happy and content and my team is able to achieve its targets.

2.In a typical day, what is guaranteed to put a smile on your face?
People sometimes have small problems within production that we solve (against the bigger context of life in general!) Also, seeing people achieve something that they thought they couldn’t.

3.What has been your greatest achievement in the last year?
Restructuring the factory for the future with lean line manufacturing is exciting.

4.On a day-to-day basis, what do you find frustrating about your work?
Targets that sometimes seem unachievable.

5.What inspired you to work in manufacturing?
I used to work in the leather/sheepskin trade, so it was an obvious career to follow. Also, I get a sense of satisfaction in solving problems

6. What makes your company stand out from the rest? How do you beat the competition?
The fantastic quality of the Mulberry product and excellent people skills combined with the foresight and confidence of the Board to keep Mulberry’s manufacturing in the UK is paramount in beating the competition.

7. What hopes / concerns do you have about the future of manufacturing in the UK?
The Mulberry brand on its own will keep our future in the UK – the only concern would be if counterfeit Mulberry bags continue flooding into the market and the world economy deteriorates.

8. What piece of advice would you give to any manufacturing newcomers?
Always concentrate on the quality of people and lean lines.

9.Who is your hero?
My father.

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