Eureka moment
I am reminded of my eureka moment every day when I drive to work and see Empteezy on the side of the factory. I spent ten years working for a waste paper merchant at a time when getting refuse into the skip was both difficult and dangerous and very costly. So, my eureka moment was to design a forklift attachment that could be used to easily empty waste into skips. I designed it, got it manufactured by subcontractors and Empteezy was born.
Financing
All entrepreneurs experience highs and lows when it comes to financing. For me it is about taking calculated risks. I have always had an eye on the broader industry, on changes in regulations and on the competition. We've made strategic acquisitions over the years with Delahaye and Romold which have enabled us to expand our product portfolio and into new markets.
Regrets
I have made mistakes along the way - all entrepreneurs do. But you know you also learn from the mistakes as well as the successes so, in that sense, I don't have any regrets. I love what I do and I am proud to be in a position to offer people a job - I am firm believer in apprenticeships to give young people the chance to learn a trade.
What would you have changed?
You can learn from the past but you can't change it so I try and use all experiences - even the bad ones - in a positive way. If I never made any changes or didn't move with the times, then we wouldn't still be in business, but I have a good team who share the same vision for the business.
