Another colleague has reached a magnificent milestone, congratulations Caroline Gregory for her continued hard work and dedication to the business over the years – what an incredible achievement of success, and here’s to many more! To recognise Caroline’s efforts, we interviewed her to learn more about her journey over the years, favourite memories, and to find out what has changed over time within the company…
Q: Do you remember your first week working for Lawton’s? Describe it to us, what was it like, what did you do in your role?
When I first started, Lawton Tubes were known as Dorset Tubes. It was a completely different environment to my previous company. I remember thinking how ‘old school’ it was. I found the scope of capabilities of the products that could be produced and the manufacturing processes to produce them extremely interesting and still do to this day, although the product ranges have changed over the years. With my nonferrous metals background in sales, along with some technical engineering knowledge, I was able to further my knowledge with the help of other colleagues.
Q: How has Lawton Tubes changed over the years?
Lawton Tube as a whole was mainly production focused, but the 3rd generation of family Directors have significantly built on this over the years to the multi-million-pound turnover company it is now, adding the distribution side for ACR, Engineering, Medical & Plumbing tube, now including an extensive range of fittings.
Q: What was your journey before starting at Lawton Tubes?
Most of my working career has been sales based within the engineering industry. I started as a branch assistant for recruitment consultants and was promoted through to Temporaries Controller for the Industrial and engineering side, when for some reason I wanted to be a Sales Rep out on the road! This was the only time in my working career where I wasn’t involved in engineering. When I was made redundant in 1992, I accepted the position of Sales Clerk for a local nonferrous metal stockist, leaving as Senior Sales Clerk to join Lawton Tubes. As they say the rest is history…
Q: What projects are you working on at the moment?
Currently working on visiting more customers, finding new potential business for engineering, whilst also ensuring the complete range of Lawton Tube capabilities is out there in the wider engineering world. The group has so much to offer!
Q: What are you hopeful about and looking forward to within the company?
I’m looking forward to continuing to help the engineering division develop a more expansive customer base and continuing to develop good working relationships with our current customer base.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Oh, that is a difficult one. Hopefully I will be as fit as I am now so that I can continue to do what I enjoy most at work, visiting customers and seeing more of the amazing engineering capabilities they have and the diverse products they produce.
Q: What has been your favourite memory working here and why?
Working with a great team of people in Poole.
As a family business, Lawton Tube has grown considerably but has also developed into a ‘people’ focused company. This is best demonstrated by the number of employees within the business who have enjoyed long service. We have had some great team-building training sessions and activity-based Christmas gatherings.
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