Job Title: Non - Executive Senior Projects Director
Company: NSK
Tell us a bit about yourself. This can include telling us what fires you up about the job you do, your professional achievements, your career highlights. What inspires you? What attracted you to pursue a career in manufacturing? Is there anything else you’d like to say about either your job or UK manufacturing?
I have had the pleasure of working in manufacturing for over 30 years. My career has covered many areas such as ICT, security, logistics, supply chain, change management and strategy delivery. The enjoyment for me has always been the problem-solving challenge. Going to the ‘Gemba’ as we say in Japanese business – see the problem, walk the process and work with the people doing the job to resolve the issues. In manufacturing, our people are our biggest asset. Their knowledge, awareness and understanding constantly drive improvements and change.
Some of my career highlights include establishing a European logistics service for our business, implementing an in-house ERP solution, and a global finance solution, establishing a global security infrastructure for our business and spending five years working in a global role, based in our headquarters in Japan. I am a firm believer in what you put in, pays back, and manufacturing has delivered all my business ambitions.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Trust your instincts and stay true to your management style and culture.
What is your favourite engineered/manufactured product?
Wind turbine bearings. To engineer a bearing to work in the harshest of conditions like the North Sea, and to operate without the need for frequent maintenance – amazing.
Please give one interesting fact about yourself that not many people know.
I once refused to serve Phil Lynott (Thin Lizzy fame) a pint, because he did not meet the dress code.
If you weren’t in manufacturing what would be your dream job?
Historian.
