60 SECONDS MAY/JUNE 2020
60
seconds
with...
QAs a child, what did you want
to be when you grew up?
AI really wanted to be a writer – so that
16
didn’t go too well! Then I decided
that I wanted to be a draughtsman, but
there weren’t enough opportunities near
to where I lived, so I began to think about
getting a job in sales.
QHow did you get into the industry?
AMy fi rst job was actually in this
sector. What started as an interest
in manufacturing then developed into
a passion for innovating new ways to
help customers be more successful. The
manufacturing market is constantly
changing and it continues to feed my
curiosity in the sector – and with so much
innovation going on now, it’s a really
exciting time.
QWhat do you like most about
working in UK manufacturing?
AThe manufacturing industry in the
UK has had a great tradition of being
leaders in producing quality machinery
and technology across the globe. The
UK manufacturing industry has so much
drive and leaders that are increasingly
resourceful, which is something for us to
be extremely proud of.
QHow do you think manufacturing
is perceived by people outside
the industry?
AThe industry isn’t fully understood
by those who aren’t involved.
People don’t seem to be aware of the
extensive sustainable opportunities that
manufacturing can create in the long term
for the UK. For example, with more than
72,000 electric vehicles being sold in the
UK in 2019, the manufacturing industry has
had to work hard to meet this need. British
manufacturers are continually optimising
manufacturing processes to meet these
demands, creating new roles that put
sustainability at the forefront.
QWhat has been you biggest
accomplishment – either in
or out of work?
AWithout a doubt, my greatest
achievement would be my daughter
Ashleigh.
QHow do you spend your spare time?
AWith the spare time I have, I love to
travel. I’m a bit of a walker, as long as
its not too strenuous. However, i’d always
opt for a night in, watching a great fi lm, if
it was on off er!
QWhat’s the secret to a successful
future for UK manufacturing?
AExactly that – looking to the future!
Whilst businesses often need to make
short term decisions to keep their business
running and staying profi table, I think
manufacturing businesses need to set more
CV:
March 2019-present: managing director,
Ho mann Group UK
January 2015-March 2019: group director of
operations, Cromwell Group Ltd
July 2002-January 2015: regional business director,
Cromwell Group Ltd
1997-2002: business owner
long term goals. In the UK we have a clear
productivity challenge and a long-term
focus in the manufacturing sector could
really help to solve this.
With the ongoing uncertainties of Brexit,
manufacturers should be looking ahead by
embracing innovative new ways to maximise
productivity-per-head, ensuring that output
is not further aff ected by talent shortages.
To stay competitive, it is vital that the
manufacturing industry helps to address
this. This means that longer-term focus, and
investment in ways to maximise effi ciency
on the factory fl oor, is needed – along with
the great British entrepreneurial fl air!
QOne thing you may not know about
me is…
AI used to be the proud owner of a
Lambretta GP200 moped. It even
had a name!
TIM PADDISON
Managing director, Hoffmann Group UK
My favourite food is...
Cambodian cuisine
It’s a
real surprise if
you’ve never
tried it, as it’s
so authentic
My favourite
holiday
destination:
Indochina
I love the culture
and the climate is
especially nice!
www.manufacturingmanagement.co.uk
Death Graphic: Vector Tradition/stock.adobe.com Marine: Dog Paw Productions /stock.adobe.com Food: sadokhinstas /stock.adobe.com Indochina: Dmitry Rukhlenko /stock.adobe.com
My favourite
fi lm:
A Few Good Men
The script is
awesome, along with the
outstanding performances
from the actors
A few of my
favourite
things...
My favourite
book: The Book Thief
I love the concept,
and it’s a very
moving story
/www.manufacturingmanagement.co.uk
/stock.adobe.com
/stock.adobe.com
/stock.adobe.com
/stock.adobe.com