We recently sat down with our very own Sales Director, Richard Perry to get the low down on what’s happening at STV Machinery.
1. So…Rich, tell us a bit about yourself and your role at STV Machinery?
I’m officially the Sales Director here at STV, but as with most small company owners I tend to wear a number of different hats! I first started out in the industry in 2007 when I was brought in by another company to focus on used machinery sales. However, in 2008, that company unfortunately closed up and we were faced with a decision to setup on our own or call it quits. Thankfully, we decided to move our little division out and form what is now STV Machinery. We’re now a family run company with three main shareholders and each of us are very hands on to ensure we give the best possible experience of doing business with STV Machinery.
2. What goes on behind the scenes at STV Machinery?
We do a lot from our workshop in Wellingborough that a lot of customers don’t get to see. Our in-house team of engineers are either in our workshop refurbishing equipment or doing machine commissions on customer sites. Our in-house technicians are busy with all the cosmetic aspects of machinery as well as in charge of preparing for dispatch anything that is due to go out, that might be a 400T clamp machine or a hopper loader, with everything in between. We then have our office staff in charge of making sure everything runs smoothly and well organized, as well as making sure our visitors have plenty of tea and coffee at their disposal. Visitors are welcome anytime at our workshop so we often have clients inspecting Yizumi machines in our showroom or inspecting a completed refurbished machine.
3. STV Machinery are the exclusive UK and EIRE supplier of Yizumi Injection Moulding Machines, how has the first 18 months been?
I get asked this question a lot and it just goes to show how much of a buzz is around the industry when something new comes in. It’s been a really interesting first 18 months and we’ve seen a new name in our industry quickly gain traction and getting tongues wagging. From a sales perspective, we’ve smashed our target, thanks in no small part to the fact that the majority of Yizumi customers now have more than one machine. Something I’m very proud of as it shows our team have delivered this great machine to the UK industry very well, giving our customers the confidence to come back for more.
4. What’s your opinion on the “Blue Planet” effect on the plastic industry?
Blue Planet and Brexit…. Alongside Yizumi, these have been two of the main points of discussion in our industry! I think the documentary has had both positive and negative implications for our industry. In my opinion, it highlighted the fact that despite the plastics industry investing huge sums of money in recycling technology, it falls on the end user to take care of how they dispose of plastic waste. When some people viewed that documentary, they turned their focus on the plastics industry in the UK which shone the spotlight on the fact that technology already exists to recycle plastics, as long as it’s taken up by the end user. I do feel the spotlight was incorrectly focused on our industry, I read the other day 9 out of 10 of the top polluting rivers (in terms of plastic waste) are outside of Europe. [https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/activity:6435118031466176512/] Therefore, I think this important topic needs to be highlighted in other countries around the world and not just in the UK.
5. What are your thoughts on “Brexit” and its effect on the plastic industry?
I think it’s something that has been agreed and is going on whether we agree or not. The frustrating thing is we’d just like to know what’s going on so that we can plan accordingly. We already import and export our services and machinery all across the globe, I’m confident in our ability to adapt to the changes that are going to happen. I’d just like to know what those changes are going to be!
6. Anything on the horizon for STV Machinery?
We’re currently working with all of our suppliers to bring new machinery models to our UK and EIRE customers. Our team is also expanding so I’m hopeful of a very interesting 2019!
7. Will we see you at any future exhibitions?
We’ll be at Interplas in 2020 with Yizumi but there are a number of exhibitions happening across Europe in between that Yizumi are attending. I’m sure there will plenty of opportunity to see Yizumi machines at all major exhibitions.
Just for fun
1. Your choice of Superpower? I’d like to be able to fly, it would save a lot of time by not having to sit in constant 50mph average speed zones.
2. Are you left handed or right handed? Righty Tighty.
3. What’s your favorite 90’s jam? Outhere brothers – Boom Boom Boom
4. What accomplishment are you most proud of? I managed to win a go-kart race among some close friends, it’s provided years of gloating.
5. Cake or Pie. Why not have both?
For more information about STV Machinery, or Yizumi Injection Moulding Machines, please go to www.stvmachinery.co.uk
Connect with Richard Perry on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stvmachinery/
Email: richard@stvmachinery.co.uk
Call: +44 (0)1933 272747
