New business development managersTewkesbury-based
Matara UK Ltd, a specialist in the automation, pneumatics and linear motion solutions since 1995, has appointed two new business development managers (BDM) as part of a strategic growth plan which has also seen a ten-fold increase in the size of its aluminium extrusion frame department
Kiran Patel has joined Matara as a business development manager covering the west side of England from Shropshire to Devon. Mr Patel has extensive experience in the linear motion industry, developed over 13 years working with bearing manufacturer
SKF (UK) Ltd on the linear motion side of the business. Starting as a helpdesk engineer and progressing to the role of business development manager. Further experience was gained working for an industrial distributor company as a linear and automation product manager where he dealt with multiple linear and automation manufacturers.
Mr Patel said: “I was looking for a company that offers the whole linear package, and not just components. Matara has a vast portfolio of products and services, and the ability to offer fully customised automation solutions — all from the UK. This enables me to offer manufacturing-level technical support on our full range of products. It is the customer interaction that I really like and being able to help customers select the right product for the application, working to budget and delivery expectations.”
Mr Patel is also active when it comes to identifying new business opportunities. He continued: “Market research and recognising customer trends are an important part of my role. I look at growing market segments and see if they fall into the Matara offering.”
Chris Ager, who covers Midlands and South, has 20 years’ experience in the bearings industry. Before joining Matara, he worked globally for a major manufacturer of rotary bearings in industries such as quarrying, mining, aggregate, waste water, power generation, oil and gas, and marine. For Mr Ager, problem-solving is one of the favourite aspects of his role as Matara’s business development manager.
He said: “Understanding a customer’s problem and how best to overcome it, and being able to discuss that with the customer, is a favourite part of my job. Days are rarely the same though, and whether I am dealing with an OEM, MRO or end user, my role means I have to be able to multi-task, keep a level head, and be able to determine a customer’s needs and how to deliver on them.”
Matara is a specialist supplier of bespoke linear motion and automation solutions, and employs a team of 33 people, serving a wide range of industries, such as printing and packaging, food and drink, pharmaceutical and metal processing.