Building on success

Nick Weston, JWE’s MD, says: "We have effectively restructured and reshaped an important tier of management, both to enhance our internal procedures and also, importantly, to develop our services to customers. With both new appointments and promotions from within the organisation we are not only utilising our established skills but adding a new dimension to our capability.”

Chris Romer joins the company to take on the new role of quality and health & safety manager. Seen as a development of JWE’s existing operational structure, his involvement will include overseeing standards and new requirements relating to regulations. “My responsibility will focus on both our own quality commitment in-house and on all aspects of health & safety at site during installation and operation,” he says, pointing out that both will gain from his own background and experience in engineering.

The appointment of Steve Harper to works manager reflects JWE’s belief in enabling personnel to develop their role within the company.  Three years’ ‘hands-on’ shop-floor involvement now sees Harper in a position to enhance the link between manufacturing and management. “There is a real team ethic that underpins all aspects of JWE’s approach and this is clearly demonstrated throughout the manufacturing and engineering operations which I will be delighted to contribute towards,” he says.

The company’s design capability has been enhanced by the appointment of Phil Waters to design engineering manager. The move, which strengthens the established design role, reflects JWE’s advanced design capabilities – such as animation and the latest Finite Element Analysis that focuses, particularly, on stress and loading factors. “Testing is as important at the design stage as during manufacturing,” he says, “and I believe it is fundamental to our continuing business success – particularly in the case of process developments, such as the move from Chrome-containing processes.”

JWE’s belief in providing career development opportunities is also clearly demonstrated by the fourth personnel appointment being announced – Briony Jordan now becomes finance manager. Her commitment to the department has been underpinned by consistent training achievements and her skills in this field are now applicable to every part of JWE’s operation. “The position calls for involvement in every aspect of financial management – ranging from invoicing and purchasing to VAT control and salary management,” she says. “It also encompasses the introduction of a new project control computer system which is designed to optimise work throughput and cost analysis, building on the effectiveness of our involvement with every customer.”

Nick Weston reflects on the importance of each development: “These are both exciting and important steps forward for the company and we are confident that by looking both within and outside the business, we have been able to appoint the right person to each position,” he concludes. “In every case, the individuals reflect the company’s determination to progress – which is a fundamental factor that underpins our ongoing optimism for the future.”