FEATURE
WORDS : SARAH WALKER PICTURES : CHRIS BOOTH
How the staff-focused ethos of ITS pays dividends all round
Positive
O pportunities to really make a difference in a company that cares for its employees and customers can be found at Industrial Technology Systems ( ITS ), a systems solution provider with ambitious growth plans .
Current vacancies at the firm , which has an office on Middlesbrough ’ s Riverside Park , include a sales account manager , marketing executive , proposals manager , control systems engineers , computer system validation engineers , management information systems engineers and a regulatory compliance trainer .
The company provides automation solutions to enable manufacturing and processing customers to distribute their products safely , efficiently and to the highest quality standards required , particularly in heavily regulated sectors such as chemicals , energy and life sciences .
Trina Ives , sales account manager , explains : “ The solution may be a computerised control and data visualisation system that collects and displays pertinent information for management decision making . Alternatively , we can provide engineering resource to assist a company through peaks in project requirements .
“ We provide robotics and vision systems to automatically inspect products during the manufacturing process , to ensure they meet specification . We also offer solutions to track raw materials , products and equipment in production environments .”
Led by CEO Malcolm Knott , who left ICI in 1991 with a desire to create a genuine one-stop-shop for all forms of industrial computing and control , the company has delivered 3,000 projects across 30 countries and five continents – all from its offices in Middlesbrough and Warrington .
Trina says : “ What we do is quite specialised and particularly relevant to Teesside companies in the chemical , life science , energy and other industries .”
Trina joined ITS as a marketing executive in November 2000 . When she joined the engineering company her
Loyalty - Trina joined ITS 21 years ago .
technical background and experience were limited , so she had a steep learning curve ahead .
Trina explains : “ I was determined to take on the challenge and , with the fantastic support of Malcolm and colleagues in the sales and engineering teams , I have never looked back . It was the best decision I have made .
“ Approximately seven years ago I was promoted to a sales account manager . Working at ITS has helped me realise you can achieve anything you set your mind to – and with the right attitude comes success . The company offers fantastic career and promotional opportunities .”
In terms of its current vacancies , the company is looking for people who are “ passionate about delivering a positive experience for customers ”.
“ We want to recruit people who can make a real difference to those around them – colleagues and customers ,” says Trina , who has enjoyed working at the firm for more than 20 years .
In return , employees are promised a workplace that values their input , promotes team working and offers a sociable environment .
The company ’ s culture is reflected in its strong social conscience . It supports local hospices and sports clubs and participates in programmes that provide industry mini-projects to enrich science and engineering teaching in schools and colleges .
“ With a fantastic set of values covering accountability , communication , entrepreneurship , inspiration and teamwork , everyone understands what is important and is committed to them ,” says Trina .
The company has monthly initiatives , a culture-based reward scheme and all staff are actively engaged – and Trina insists everyone does make a difference .
“ One of the key things is that virtually whatever role you ’ re in , no two days are the same ,” says Trina . “ Engineers are involved in a wide range of projects for our clients , helping to resolve customerspecific issues . They might be working with the same technology for multiple customers but they apply it in different ways .
“ The company cares about its employees and is committed to listening and to making ITS the best place to work .
“ You can see the input you have and you can influence things easily – we are all encouraged to contribute to business improvement initiatives ,” Trina says . “ The senior management team welcomes suggestions . If you can see something that needs changing you just shout up and they will listen and look into it .
“ The management team holds online meetings where they are accessible for staff to drop in and talk about anything . It ’ s an open culture where the senior management team knows everyone in the business .”
60 | Tees Business