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Tell us a little bit about yourself, how you came to work for BEC Group and your role
After finishing a BTEC in engineering and two years of training as a precision engineer, I spotted an advert for a toolmaker in local newspaper the New Milton advertiser. There were no slick recruitment firms back then! I came in to meet Geoff, Graham and Barry and they offered me a job.
I’ve now been working at BEC for thirty years in various roles, most recently as engineering director and toolmaker. I now oversee the toolroom, tool design, liaising with customers and quoting on projects as well as the general running of BEC with the other directors.
What do you enjoy the most in your role as an Engineering Director and Toolmaker at BEC Group?
It’s a cliché but I enjoy the variety of each day at BEC, we all take on lots of different roles here and that means there’s never time to be bored. I’ve generally got several tooling projects running at one time alongside speaking to current and potential customers about new parts too.
Technically speaking I also come up against new challenges in toolmaking which require new solutions and techniques we might not have used before.
I’ve faced a whole raft of new challenges becoming a director, it’s given me a whole new perspective on how a business is run and everything that comes with it.
What would you say have been the biggest changes to the Injection Moulding Industry and Toolmaking since you started at BEC Group?
Over my tenure so many things have changed across the industry. The biggest change in the toolroom has been the huge advancements in technology. 5-axis machining and CAD/CAM software has meant we can produce hugely more complex tools much more quickly and precisely.
The materials we use have also advanced; the modern carbide used in cutting tools far exceeds the longevity and precision of the high-speed cutters of old.
What are the main developments in toolmaking you foresee for the near future?
Technology and software are still moving so quickly, and I can’t see that changing anytime soon. AI is already having an impact on the toolmaking process. There are already AI algorithms in use for CNC machines which make small adjustments to reduce tooling timelines and improve production. I’ll be interested to see how this evolves over the next few years. Hopefully we won’t be entirely replaced by robots though! I still think the close relationships we build with our customers to help understand their project and specific needs are just as important as the technology we use.
What are the main benefits that business can expect by keeping tooling and production in-house with BEC, or choosing to reshore with them?
The three main areas which our customers benefit from by working with BEC are control, quality, and communication. Working with offshore manufacturers or separate toolmakers often means a lack of tool ownership, little or no communication, and sometimes disastrous quality!
We work in constant communication with our customers to ensure they are fully involved in the process and at each stage. We work to their timeframes and quality levels to ensure they get what they want when they want. They own the tool as soon as it’s finished and have control over finishes and costs.
What sets BEC Group apart from the competition when looking for toolmaking and plastic injection engineering?
Everything at BEC happens in one place. From our site in New Milton, we take meetings with prospective customers, design tools, cut metal, produce mouldings and ship them all over the world. This makes communication and modifications much simpler, and means things happen quickly.
The other BEC difference is our team. Many of us have been here for over three decades, and that brings something special to the toolroom and mouldshop. We all work together to go the extra mile for our customers, whether it’s getting their delivery out that bit early because they’re desperate for it or trying out a new exciting material free of charge. We’re here to help.
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