Appointments: Gala Tent, Invicta Bakeware, Xamax

MARQUEE and gazebo manufacturer Gala Tent Ltd, has boosted its board of directors with a number of appointments as it looks to expand into the US by 2017.

Three senior employees at the Rotherham business have been appointed to directorship roles to support the company’s restructuring and expansion.

Glen Robinson, formally printing manager of Gala Tent, has progressed to become the managing director of Gala Tent’s sister company, Gala Graphics.

The company was established after Glen took the initiative to expand Gala Tent’s printing department into an independent company after demand for printing products grew.

Steve Biggs, and Andrew Scott, IT manager and procurement manager respectively, will also become members of the board of directors.

Gala Tent’s managing director, Jason Mace, commented on the new appointments, “Gala Tent’s rapid growth has resulted in us strengthening the board and rewarding dedicated and loyal team members with directorships. Each of our new directors has over ten years of experience here at Gala Tent and I am confident that they are the right team to take the business forward.”

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NORTH YORKSHIRE’S Invicta Bakeware, a 100 year-old firm, has appointed business development manager Lee Croucher to support the firm.

Mr Crougher has held senior sales roles at Eurobake, Benier and Cleanbake (now American Pan UK) and started his career as an apprentice with a small craft bakery in Lancashire before moving into the in-store supermarket sector with a bakery management position at Asda.

He will be responsible for extending the client base for both Invicta Bakeware and Food Industry Supplies (the company’s plastics trading division) as well as assisting with the development of new products, which is at the core of Invicta’s driving philosophy of continually moving forward and meeting the changing needs of its customers.

John Waddington, managing director at Invicta Bakeware, said: “We’ve got big plans to extend our client base and Lee’s considerable experience and in-depth industry knowledge will help us to develop new business opportunities and offer an increased sales service to existing customers.

“At Invicta, we have always prioritised customer relations and feel it is important to have regular, personal contact with our clients. By putting experienced and knowledgeable staff out into the field, we are able to competently advise customers on the best solutions for their particular requirements, particularly in regard to bespoke products,” he added.

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SPORTS and work clothing firm Xamax has recruited three apprentices to help develop the company’s skilled workforce.

Chloe Wood and Olivia Evans, along with Abigail Carr have been offered apprenticeships which will see them complete a three-year training programme at the business.

Graham Thompson, managing director of Xamax, comments: “There is no doubt that the manufacturing industry is being held back by a shortage of skills. Having realised that we needed to attract those coming out of secondary school we put in place a series of robust apprenticeship schemes that would attract younger talent to the business.

“Our apprentices are the life blood of Xamax, giving us the ability to train young people in the skills they need and to set the foundations to ensure future growth. We are keen to make teenagers aware of the jobs and careers that are available to them and offer them the chance to undertake a scheme in which they can develop the skills and experience necessary to establish a long-term career within the market.

“In manufacturing in particular where the job is very ‘hands-on’, I would much prefer to work with an eager young apprentice and train them to be the very best. We are extremely pleased to welcome Chloe, Olivia and Abigail to Xamax, we’re looking forward to seeing them all become an integral part of our business.”