James Metcalfe Appointed Technical Sales Manager at Stewart
James Metcalf has recently been appointed Technical Sales Manager at Stewart, the UK’s leading manufacturer and supplier of plastic moulded products.
Working within Stewart Technical, the packaging, promotion and custom design division of Stewart, James provides bespoke moulding solutions to clients in a wide range of sectors, most notably the automotive and aerospace industries. This involves helping businesses identify performance and supply parameters, preparing mould tooling designs, specifying materials and managing production costs. James provides a full project management service, from ongoing customer care to rapid response through face-to-face, telephone and email contact.
James began his career as a qualified graphic designer/illustrator in 1979 and worked with leading agencies including WCRS and TV animation specialist. As well as The National Trust and BMW UK, James worked on major accounts in the consumer goods, food and drink, IT, manufacturing and health and leisure sectors.
Headhunted by Bridge Advertising Ltd in 1985 where he became Creative Director, James created the in-store identity. He also designed and produced brochures for destinations targeted at a variety of market sectors.
Between 1987 and 1999, James worked at Frontline and Computer 2000 Ltd, contributing to a ten-fold increase in the company’s turnover to £600m during this period. James’ roles included Marketing Manager and Marketing Communications Director, Frontline Ltd, Director, Datatechnology Datech Ltd, a business acquired by Frontline in 1994, and Director Client Server Division, Computer 2000, who acquired Frontline in 1995.
As a board member at Frontline and Computer 2000, James was instrumental in the business becoming the exclusive UK distributor for Informix & SunSoft. He oversaw all corporate advertising, direct marketing and PR, driving best practice marketing communications throughout Computer 2000 subsidiaries across Europe.
In 2010, James targeted the sector for a leading stadium seat manufacture whilst at BSA Mouldings Ltd.
During 2012 and 2013 James supplied stadium seating for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, the London Olympics, Lancashire Cricket Club, Le Havre football stadium, the Sydney Opera House, Oval Cricket Ground and the 2013 Augusta Masters Golf Tournament.
Married with three children, James enjoys spending his free time with his family. He is a keen golfer and is a member of Swaffham Golf Club. James also enjoys reading and renovating his 19th century house.
Stewart - backgrounder
Stewart is the UK market leader in the manufacture and supply of technical plastic moulded products for the gardening, home and professional catering sectors. The company offers an extensive portfolio of products ranging from garden planters and propagators, to food containers and specialist storage products. Three specialist divisions also work across the aerospace, automotive and medical industries.
The company employs 70 permanent staff and 30 seasonal workers at a purpose-built 178,000 sq ft facility in Banbury, Oxon, which opened in September 2012. The factory and distribution centre includes state of the art machinery giving Stewart a world class advantage over its UK competitors.
It enjoyed a turnover of £13 million in 2010.
Stewart is headed by CEO Richard Butler who built his career in the technical plastics and rubber sector and has worked for leading manufacturers in the aerospace and automotive sector.
Originally established in 1945 the company was the subject of a BIMBO (buy-in/ management buyout) in June 2011. ECI, the mid-market private equity specialist, invested £12 million in the company in a deal that valued the business at £17 million.
Stewart Garden produces grow your own products, watering, pots, propagators and garden accessories and sundries. These are available in over 1600 outlets across the UK and Eire including major DIY outlets such as Homebase and Wilkinsons and garden centres across the UK such as Dobbies and Klondyke/Strikes, The Garden Centre Group and some 600 plus independent garden centres.
Stewart Garden plays an active role in the gardening and leisure industry through its membership of:
- GIMA – the Garden Industry Manufacturers Association
- Gardenex – the Federation of Garden and Leisure Manufacturers Limited
- HTA – the Horticultural Trades Association
Stewart won the House Beautiful Best Product Garden Category in 2005 and the Klondyke Dry Goods Supplier Award in 2010. The company was a GIMA Awards - POS Finalist in 2009, and Best of British Finalist in 2011. It’s Heat and Grow Thermostatic Propagator was top in the Which? Gardening Best Buy test on windowsill propagators 2011.
Stewart Home provides food storage and homewares products. These comprise of the Refine, Essentials and Seal Fresh food and drink storage collections, offering hygienic storage in a wide range of colours and shapes.
Stewart Catering supplies the Gastronorm and Seal Fresh food storage ranges to the catering industry and specialist cook shops via wholesale and cash and carry outlets.
Other Stewart divisions are:
Stewart Aerospace
Stewart Automotive
Stewart Medical
Each division of Stewart is BS ISO 9001-2000 and TS16949 accredited and operates from the company’s manufacturing, warehousing and distribution centre in Banbury, Oxon.
For more information visit www.stewartlimited.co.uk
For editorial enquiries, pictures, interviews and samples, contact Emma De Maio on 07921 160 134 or email emma@redheadpr.co.uk
