JUNE 2019 60 SECONDS
60
seconds
with...
LEE BALL
general manager, Protolabs
QAs a child, what did you want
to be when you grew up?
AI’ve always been into motorsport, so
I think I probably had visions of being
a MotoGP rider or maybe a Formula One
driver. I grew up near Silverstone and
have so many happy memories of going to
races with my family, with dad cooking our
breakfast on the barbecue in the car park.
Then, at the end of the race, I used to sit
on my dad’s knee, helping him drive his car
around the track – as they used to allow
spectators to do back then.
QHow did you get into the industry?
AAfter leaving school at 16, I started
my career as an apprentice toolmaker.
I actually began in the summer prior
to getting my exam results, before the
apprenticeship offi cially started, meaning
I had to leave work at lunchtime to fi nd
out how I had done.
QWhat do you like most about
working in UK manufacturing?
AProbably the people. I’ve worked with
and met some great people over the
years, really dedicated to what they do and,
make no mistake, we do some great things
in this country.
You only have to look at the motorsport
industry as a prime example. Nearly all of
the top F1 teams are based here to take
advantage of the skills that are readily
available. It really is the pinnacle of
motorsport and innovation in engineering.
QWhat has been your biggest
accomplishment to date?
AIt has to be the last 15
years at Protolabs. I was
one of three people that started
the European operation in
and three moulding presses. Now we are
seen as one of the world’s leading digital
manufacturing specialists, supporting
thousands of customers every year
across automotive, aerospace, consumer
electronics and medical sectors.
During that time, we have grown to a
team of 450 employees, with 140 CNC
machines and 64 presses in Telford,
with the business enjoying year-on-year,
double-digit growth in revenue. It’s an
amazing company to be part of with
amazing people making it happen.
I also have to mention my time at Hella
Manufacturing; I learned so much there
and also worked with some exceptional
people, many of whom I still keep in touch
with today.
QWhat’s the secret to a successful
future for UK manufacturing?
AInvesting in people is key. There
has been a skills shortage within
engineering for some time, so bringing
through the next generation of engineers
is absolutely vital to our future success.
We need to change perceptions so that
everyone believes engineering is a ‘cool’
career for young people, especially now it
is so digitalised and connected with data.
CV:
2017 to present: General manager, Protolabs
2005-present: Operations director, Protolabs
2005-2009: Manufacturing manager, Protolabs
1998-2005: Senior technician, Hella Manufacturing Ltd
There also needs to be a push towards
helping more manufacturing fi rms to adopt
the latest technology and automation,
which, in turn, will generate greater
effi ciencies and global competitiveness.
QOne thing you may not know
about me is…
A I love sport, of any kind. Although
I don’t get the opportunity to play
anymore, I still really enjoy watching
football, F1 and rugby.
Outside of work, I spend time as a
grassroots football coach, running my
youngest son’s Under-13 team, which is
enjoyable – despite the stressful times.
Seeing the kids develop skills, but more
importantly friendships, is so rewarding.
And if our team doesn’t have a game, I
get to go and watch my older son where
I end up running the line. I suppose I
just enjoy being involved.
My favourite food:
social eating
A BBQ in the summer or
sharing tapas with the
family – we quite often
just load the table up with
dishes and all tuck in.
My favourite
holiday destination:
The Maldives
We had our
honeymoon there
and it was such an
amazing place.
www.manufacturingmanagemnet.com 15
Brian Little pic: Peter Robinson/EMPICS Sport Trainspotting : Home Bird / Alamy Stock Photo Maldives: siraphol /stock.adobe.com
My favourite fi lm: Trainspotting
I don’t really have a particular
favourite fi lm, but Trainspotting has
such a great soundtrack.
My favourite
book: sports
autobiographies
I’m a big Aston
Villa fan so have read quite a few
from our ex-players. I’m currently
reading Brian Little’s book.
A few of my
favourite
things...
2005, with just three CNC machines
/www.manufacturingmanagemnet.com
/stock.adobe.com