An engineering professional who is marking a quarter of a century with her employer is urging the next generation to follow in her footsteps by earning whilst they learn.
Caroline Gregory, from Poole, joined leading copper alloy tube and fittings manufacturer, Lawton Tubes, in 2000 after her previous employer, Dorset Tubes, was acquired by the fourth-generation family business.
Since then, the 56-year-old Engineering Account Manager has become an integral part of Lawton Tubes’ base in Thrush Road, Poole, where the business manufacturers more than 6,000,000 cut lengths and 300,000 straight lengths of bespoke copper components for engineering applications – including heat exchangers, coolers and condensers, electrical connectors, and other bespoke items, as well as 100,000 coils for the automotive industry.
A Role Built on Expertise
As part of the heart of Lawton Tubes’ tube production division, Caroline’s role spans the full lifecycle of customer orders — from quotations and contract negotiation to ensuring material availability and tooling readiness. She also manages product certification, export packing, courier logistics, and the transfer of goods between the Poole and Coventry sites.
Her technical knowledge is renowned within the business.
“You’d be hard pressed to find someone more knowledgeable about copper,” says the team — and with a combined 200 years of tube-making experience among them, that means something.
Caroline built this expertise over decades, beginning in the 1990s at Smiths Metals, where she supplied non-ferrous materials to engineering and manufacturing companies, including a specialist business making IndyCar racing cars — where she also met her husband.
“A lot of responsibility rests on my shoulders because I’m advising engineers on the correct type of copper they need,” she explains. “If that goes wrong, it becomes an expensive mistake. Every application requires a specific copper temper — bending and flaring, for example, need totally different processes.”
Despite not taking the traditional academic route, Caroline says her progression mirrors an apprenticeship in all but name.
“I’ve built up so much knowledge without going to university or doing formal study. That’s why I want to share my story — to show people they can build a career by taking a chance and learning as they go.”
A Career of Growth and Connection
One of Caroline’s highlights has been watching Lawton Tubes grow into a £230 million business trading in 42 countries. But for her, the biggest factor in staying 25 years has been the company culture.
“It’s the family ethos at Lawton Tubes,” she says. “They care about their people and make them feel appreciated. That’s played a huge part in why I’ve stayed so long.”
She’s also built lasting relationships with customers — in some cases, unusually close ones.
“I’m now on hugging terms with some of them!” she laughs.
And when it comes to memorable customer requests, one order stands out. “Distorted Light, who make War of the Worlds alien lamps, use our small-diameter tube for their designs. Copper and copper-nickel can end up in the most unexpected places.”
Looking Back – and Ahead
As she marks 25 years with the business — and more than 30 in the metal engineering industry — Caroline reflects briefly on the path not taken. A talented competitive swimmer with Poole Dolphins until age 15, she wonders what might have been.
“Still to this day I can get into a pool and swim 20 or 30 lengths straight off,” she says. “My husband watches in amazement.”
Her fitness, including regular HIIT workouts — keeps her energised in her role, and she isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
“I love my job, and I’m looking forward to hitting even more milestones with Lawton Tubes.”
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