Shaun Thornton Ceratizit UK & Ireland’s technical manager (left) with James McLeary the company’s latest applications sales engineer

Sheffield-based Ceratizit UK & Ireland has further expanded its applications support team with the recruitment of James McLeary, who will be working with customers across Scotland to enhance productivity and make sure they benefit from the latest cutting tool and workholding technology from the cutting tool manufacturer.

His appointment brings the number of field-based applications sales engineers to 11, all of whom work alongside Ceratizit’s extensive technical sales engineering team. Key to Mr McLeary’s role will be his ability to draw on his own extensive shopfloor experience working within the aerospace and oil and gas sectors.

That experience covers everything from manual machine tools through to the latest in five-axis machining centres, where he developed his enthusiasm for problem solving and supporting colleagues with training.

Mr McLeary said: “Having seen the work that applications engineers do from a customer perspective, the opportunity to take on a similar role really interested me and the opportunity to join Ceratizit UK & Ireland came at a point in my career when it was time to try something different.”

“Over my career I have had to learn quickly how to resolve problems and to be able to use that knowledge in this new role is an interesting challenge and one that so far is exceeding all my expectations.”

Based in Glasgow, he will be available to work with key accounts across Scotland on machining projects, spending time where needed to review and recommend new machining strategies to maximise productivity. Working with the local technical sales engineer he will also be available to provide general technical support across the Ceratizit customer base in Scotland.

Speaking of this new addition to the applications support team, Shaun Thornton, Ceratizit UK & Ireland’s technical manager, said: “James will be a great addition to the team, he brings with him huge enthusiasm coupled with youth and energy that will fit perfectly with the existing team. Applications support is a vital element of our business and ongoing strategy, and we will continue to develop and expand the team as and when it is required, to ensure customers are fully aware of the potential Ceratizit products can provide.”