Working in textiles runs in the family. Tell us about your path to Baltex.
It certainly does! My Dad, aunts and uncles all worked in the area’s lace industry in the 80s and 90s. I didn’t really have a plan when I left school but I have always been quite inquisitive and curious, and always wanting to learn. Ever since I was little I liked taking things apart and putting them back together so mechanics piqued my interest.
Like my family I started in the lace trade with companies like Courtaulds and Guy Birkin working in various roles including general machine operative, pattern changer, mechanic. As the lace trade died I moved into warp knitting for Derby Nyla involved with technical textiles. We made the reversible 2006 World Cup England kit (I didn’t get a free shirt unfortunately). I then worked with other companies overseeing the same sort of machinery as site manager for production in industries like hair containment and food.
I joined Baltex five years ago and was recently promoted to my current role.
When I started out my Dad was a bit sceptical of the trade because of his experience when large-scale lacemaking moved to China. But he’s happy now seeing what I’ve achieved and that I have a good life.
A knitting manager sounds very cosy. Tell us a bit more about your role.
Well it doesn’t quite involve jumpers! I oversee production for Baltex’s three production sites. I’m based at the Ilkeston site in Derbyshire and manage six people here with our warp knitting facilities and six people in our Shepshed site with our circular knitting machines. We have eight machines at Ilkeston but four are different types of machine with individual specialisms. I also liaise with our site in Poland. It’s key to have a good relationship with the shop floor so everyone is organised and ensure the machines are in good working order.
Tell us about a typical day.
It’s different every day. We run 6am to 6pm. I get in at 8am and have a walk around and see what tasks we have for the day, for example planned maintenance or receiving new machinery like we recently had at Shepshed, and any training needs. We round off the day with an evening debrief so everyone’s on the same page.
What are your main challenges?
Baltex products are always in demand. We have a lot of orders and have recently expanded our workforce to meet it. We’re also investing in new machinery to keep driving quality and efficiency.
What do you like about working for Baltex?
It sounds really corny but being part of a family-run business makes you feel valued – you’re not just a number. I really feel appreciated here and trusted with responsibility. We’re part of a close-knit team (sorry!) that I’m proud to be part of, always learning and innovating, which is what I love.
And that’s also why clients keep coming to Baltex – our longevity, we’re tried, tested, proven, and we don’t let people down. We’re an open book and accountable – to each other as well as to our customers.
What’s the most satisfying part of the job for you?
Meeting targets, achieving what we set out to achieve, and no issues! I also really enjoy the technical meetings – how can we improve this product for our customers? I also love the level of detail involved. Our machines are so intricate – some specifications sometimes a hundredth of a millimetre – so it’s about precision and patience every time.
What do you enjoy doing outside work? Knitting?
No! But my wife crochets so it’s close enough. I’ve been playing pool for my local league for 35 years, and played at national level. I’m also a big fan of live music. I’m really into heavy metal and rock music. If I wasn’t doing this I think I’d be a long-distance lorry driver listening to music.
What does the future hold?
I’d like to see more mentoring and opportunities for training our young people so we can keep the industry in this country. This is a job for can-do, inquisitive, positive people.
More widely, driving real sustainability is key – it’s what Baltex wants and our customers expect. Baltex is actively exploring working with recycled yarn and the machinery to make it happen. Watch this space!
Find out more about Baltex here.