10 Questions with a Manufacturing Director – John England | Manufacturing Growth Programme

John England, Managing Direct of Cabung, Hull

  1. What drove you to pursue a career in manufacturing?

The opportunity to create a new product and be within an industry that I am passionate about – the motor industry.

  1. What is your proudest achievement to date?

Inventing a product, taking it to market, the market not only accepting my product but embracing it and taking that product to Dragon’s Den.

  1. What does a typical day look like?

At 6:30am you will find me dealing with land. I spend time planning my day and following up on land opportunities, dealing with lawyers and land owners. Most days require travelling therefore I put certain days aside to go to Cabung HQ.
Cabung is a relatively new venture for me. I have been working within land acquisition for the last 35 years.
When I am at Cabung HQ I am spending time dealing with China negotiating to get the price points more competitive and also looking into marketing opportunities.

  1. If you hadn’t embarked on a career in manufacturing, what do you think you would be doing now?

I am buying an assembly land for residential development.  So I wear two hats anyway.

  1. What have you implemented in your business that you would encourage other manufacturers to embrace and implement?

Having established Cabung in 2016, it’s really early days to share knowledge.
But I would suggest looking at all of the opportunities to get to market and keeping a tight rein on your finances.

  1. What would you like your legacy to be once you retire?

That’s an easy one, I love my work and I don’t intend to retire. I hope to leave the work one day to an enthusiastic workforce and keep the business within the family.

  1. How do you think the manufacturing community can collectively continue to engage young people into manufacturing?

Keep them included on projects and future plans and include them in decisions and ideas.

  1. Wise words, advice or tips for someone looking to pursue a career in manufacturing?

Be part of something you enjoy or are enthusiastic about. For me, I enjoy the motor industry.

  1. What one thing would you change to make your business more efficient and productive if money was no object?

Have IT staff and make the most of media opportunities. ..Media, Facebook, IT, and fully utilising our company website, would all be things of benefit. You lose out if you don’t keep up.

  1. What is your view on post Brexit Britain – positive, negative or indifferent and why?

I voted to stay because in all my working life I have made things happen when bringing ideas and people together. Even when all parties are not in agreement. It is better to work together to achieve the end result.

But now we have made the decision; we must work together to make it work and be positive.

 

More information on Cabung can be found here: www.cabung.com or call 01482 420508.

 

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