Meet The Team

What is your job title?

Product Design Engineer

How long have you been working for J.T. Ellis?

38 years

What responsibilities does your role include?

Using modern software tools to provide all aspects of manufacturing information. This involves building a computerised bank of product information and logic rule programming to enable a minimum of order entry detail to achieve a maximum output of manufacturing data.

What’s a typical day like for you?

Full on and passes quickly.

How has your role evolved since you joined J.T. Ellis?

I've always been responsible for creating manufacturing data and have moved progressively from using the most basic computerised system to the most recent state of the art systems. Along the way I implemented the companies first CAD system and was heavily involved in implementing the businesses 'Frontier' system around 25 years ago and its progression since.

How has J.T. Ellis grown or changed since you’ve been with the company?

Aside from the evolving system side of things, the manufacturing plant has also changed dramatically over the years with the initial introduction of computerised machinery and its progression since. I've seen the manufacturing plant move from a heavy reliance of paper driven instructions to being almost paperless and fully automated.

What’s a project / product design you’re really proud of?

It has to be the 'Frontier' system (cica 2000), especially the 'configuration' element of it (this is the production data side of things). It was a massive shift in concept at that time from 'fixed bills of material' and was proving difficult for people to grasp. It also became apparent that we (Ellis) were to be the most complex user of this software. Fortunately for me (and the business) the 'penny dropped' on how to use it and how it could work for our business. Here we are 25 years later still using the evolved version along with other integrated softwares (eg Autodesk Inventor).

What do you most like about working for J.T. Ellis?

The job, whilst testing and challenging at times, it has been very interesting and satisfying.
I've met some very nice people along the way (including my wife :-) ).

Do you have a secret talent?

not sure I've any secret talent. I play guitar and Harmonica, but that's not a secret

If you weren't doing your current job what would you like to be?

Farmer. My grandparents were farmers and its where I spent my childhood holidays. I've always been drawn to it. At this stage in life though, it would have to be a small holding!

What was your first job?

Technician apprentice at David Brown Tractors.

What is your favourite film?

Wouldn't say I have one, but enjoy any film starring Tom Hanks

What's your favourite food?

bacon joint, cabbage and spuds (that's the Irish in me)

Do you have any interesting hobbies?

Interesting to me and also frustrating at times - watching Huddersfield Town. I've been a life long fan. I also enjoy playing music. 30 years ago I played for a few years in a trio doing Irish folk and ballads on the local circuit. In more recent years I've had the privilage (when invited) to play along side my two sons and other family members doing gigs locally.