CEO Today Global Awards 2024 - 57 - - UNITED KINGDOM - The motivation was to visualise the potential of the company over the years and make it a reality. Ben: I always had the ambition to own my own business; I’ve planned my career to ensure when the opportunity came, I’d have the right knowledge and experience to make it successful. This started by training in practice to become a Chartered Accountant, moving into a large business to gain world-class best practice experience, and then onto SMEs where there is substantially greater breadth to the role. It was clear when I first met the previous owners that they were looking for an exit, and the timing was, therefore, ideal for both sides. Along with Jason, we could see we had all that was needed to buy the company and take it forward. Following the MBO, what are your immediate and long-term visions for the company, and how do you plan to achieve these goals? Our vision is to create a socially responsible business, sustained by profitable business units enabling continued investments to remain leading edge and there to support colleagues and customers for the future. The plan for this is to diversify the customer base, embrace the local community and provide empowerment for our employees. This drive will provide enhanced knowledge, support and understanding to create the trust and security both company employees and customers. To incorporate industry practices 5S and Lean techniques into daily operations to provide a better-quality working environment for employees to work in and a cleaner, more visibly controlled environment for customers to walk around, giving greater confidence in operations and controls. What do you perceive as the biggest challenges and opportunities in leading post-MBO, especially in the current low growth economic climate? The environment, the continued drive for carbon neutrality and changing dynamics within the industry. The drive to reduce gas usage due to supply shortages and escalating costs providing a need for greater efficiency within daily processes whilst keeping aligned with technological advancements to determine the best route forward. Ben and Jason, congratulations on your successful MBO of MTE Heat Treatment. Can you describe the journey that led to the decision for a management buyout at MTE Heat Treatment and what motivated you both to take this step? Jason: I began as an apprentice working within both the manufacturing and Heat treatment departments, working up to become a key figure within the company. Trusted by the customer, I had a fundamental understanding of the company, customer base, suppliers, and processes, with a key specialism within the metallurgical sector. To be given the opportunity to become owner was a great opportunity and the next logical step on the journey. Jason Beaumont - Technical Director
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