Spotlight on Amtek Precision Engineers Ltd

18th Nov 2008

Mike Lawes is production manager of Amtek Precision Engineers Ltd, manufacturer of fabricated metal products (Mike is pictured with his team on the far right)

1. What excites you about your day-to-day work?
Taking on new challenges that will stretch and improve my skills, abilities and those of our staff.

2. In a typical day, what is guaranteed to put a smile on your face?
There are two things that are guaranteed to do this. Positive feedback received from a customer is a great indication that they will return with more orders, and is something we are always working towards. The second is to be involved in the development of new processes that will improve the efficiency and profitability of the company as a whole.

3. What has been your greatest achievement in the last year?
Over the last 12 months, I have been heavily involved in the acquisition of a number of new machine tools here at Amtek; the largest of these is a high-end MAZAK INTEGREX 200-IV mill-turn centre. With the machines ‘Done-in-One’ capability, we have been able to reduce the number of set-ups and operations it takes to complete one part, thus improving our efficiency no-end.

4. On a day-to-day basis, what do you find frustrating about your work?
Anything that hinders the development and progression of the company.

5. What inspired you to work in manufacturing?
I have a history of tool making in my family and I decided at an early age that I wanted to continue the tradition, have a trade and career that I could develop through hard work, instead of just having a job.

6. What makes your company stand out from the rest? How do you beat the competition?
We pride ourselves on the quality of our product and through commitment have built our business up to be a leader in its field. The multi-impression plastic injection mould tools that we design and manufacture (in some cases) run for millions of cycles, so the materials and workmanship involved needs to be of the highest standard possible. We also provide an extensive after-sales service no matter where our customers are based, whether its Cornwall, Norwich or Scotland.

7. What hopes / concerns do you have about the future of manufacturing in the UK?
In the current economic climate, everyone has concerns about what the future holds and we must make our own luck through continued improvement of our product, and commitment to customer satisfaction. We must look to the future with a positive attitude.

8. What piece of advice would you give to any manufacturing newcomers?
Pick your marketplace very carefully, don’t over-stretch your finances and continually review for improvements in what you do.

9. Who is your hero?
I do not have a hero, per se, although I have the utmost respect for anyone that can successfully navigate their company through the treacherous economic climate we are currently experiencing.

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