Member Article

Houghton International ‘amps’ up with three key appointments

Newcastle based, electro mechanical engineering specialist Houghton International has strengthened its management team with three new recruits to support the company’s ambitious growth plans for 2016 and beyond.

Julie McSherry joins the team as Finance Manager; Joanne Angus as Operations Planning Manager and Mark Wilkinson as Procurement Manager. The newly created positions reinforce key areas of the business and are designed to streamline process, reduce operating costs and help prepare the company for future growth.

Michael Mitten, CEO of Houghton International, commented: “Coming off the back of a strong 2014/15, our best year to date, we are strengthening our management structure to support the business going forward.

“Julie, Joanne and Mark are joining the business at an exciting time of growth and I’m confident their skills and experience will be a big help in assisting the business to achieve our targeted £20million turnover by 2020.

“Further to this we have four apprentices completing their time with us this year and are in the process of recruiting four more apprentices to grow our operations team and add to the electro mechanical skills we have in house.”

Joining the team from Siemens in Newcastle, Julie brings a wealth of industrial accounting and finance experience. She will work as part of the finance team to improve processes and management information to inform growth strategies. Commenting on joining the team, Julie said: “I am delighted to have joined Houghton International, the company has clear growth potential and an innovative culture. Everyone has been very welcoming and I’m looking forward to working with the team.”

Operations planning manager Joanne joins the company from Bernicia and will be working with the operations team to plan workloads to ensure the company continues to deliver in line with market demand as it grows. Joanne said: “Houghton International has a great reputation for customer service and planning has an essential role to play in this. Working with the team we will put the processes in place to ensure this continues moving forward.”

Previously at SMD Limited, Mark will be working with suppliers to reduce operating costs and strengthen the supply chain throughout the business. Mark added: “Customers rely on Houghton International to return their motors on time and in good working order, our suppliers have a key role to play in this and this is a great opportunity to build those relationships and work together to deliver a top quality service.”

Founded in 1984 by Michael’s parents, Ron and Christine Mitten, Houghton International has expanded over the last 30 years into a multi-million pound, multinational business. The company has grown from originally serving one customer to now working with over 200 customers in the UK and beyond. Houghton International currently export to over 15 countries worldwide, including Canada, Greece, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Nigeria, Norway, Venezuela, Malaysia, the Middle East, the USA and the Caribbean.

Located over three sites on Walker riverside, it now employs 80 staff and specialises in the repair, maintenance and life extension of electrical mechanical assets servicing a broad range of sectors including power generation, renewables, industrial, water, oil and gas, marine and rail.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tiffany Scott .