As we continue our series of blog articles speaking to longstanding employees, this week we meet with Justin and Chris to discuss working in our workshops in Bracknell, where we manufacture all our new timber windows and doors for our customers.
Justin – Joinery Supervisor
Justin started working at The Sash Window Workshop as a joiner in 2000, having previously been an apprentice for a high-end joinery firm in 1986 and then building furniture in the early 1990s.
When Justin started with the company there were two small units for the workshop, with just five joiners. Everything from the machining to the assembly was done completely by hand.
What has been the biggest change in the company since you started?
Over the last 24 years that I have worked at The Sash Window Workshop, I would say the biggest change has been the arrival of the CNC machines, which cut the timber to the exact specification. They allow us to produce much more joinery than we could previously, but still to an excellent standard.
How has your role changed over the years?
Two years ago, I was promoted to be the Joinery Supervisor, which I really enjoy. This means that I am involved in problem solving and organising, while still working on the bench doing joinery work, which is a good balance.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I enjoy passing my knowledge onto the younger generations of new joiners and the teamwork and interaction with my co-workers.
Chris – Paint Shop Supervisor
Chris has been working at The Sash Window Workshop for 21 years. He originally joined the company having had a couple of unrelated jobs since leaving school, including working as a postman for a while!
Today, he supervises the paint department, ensuring that new joinery is painted to our high standard.
How has the company changed since you started?
The company has grown considerably over the last 21 years. When I started, the company was squished into two very small units. Today we occupy two large warehouses.
However, the biggest change I have personally noticed is the investment in the paint department’s conveyer line.
How has your role changed?
Initially, I started working in the paint department filling, denibbing, and masking up windows. Two years later, I started hand painting some of the windows and doors that we manufactured. Then, nine years later, I was promoted to the paint shop supervisor.
How has the work you do changed in the time you have been a supervisor?
The job has changed a lot with the environment. When I first took on the position, I also did hand painting and hung windows and doors onto the paint line for painting.
Since we have moved into unit 5 (our newest workshop) and have started using our new paint robot, meaning that we no longer hand paint as many windows and doors. Instead, the majority of our new joinery is coded in, and spray painted by our paint robot.
This means that my role is now mostly about managing the tasks that need to be done and checking that everyone is working on the right jobs to ensure that work is out on time. I am also responsible for making sure any additional materials, or anything the installers need, are ready and in the dispatch area for installation.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I enjoy training new people, teaching them the skills that I have learnt over the years and then seeing them improve in their job, it is really rewarding.
Contact The Sash Window Workshop
We are proud to manufacture all our new joinery in-house at our workshops in Bracknell, Berkshire and encourage potential customers to contact us to arrange a tour of our workshops to see the care that goes into making our windows and doors.
To arrange a tour or to find out how we can help with your timber windows or doors, contact us today on 01344 868 668.
You may also be interested in:
The Sash Window Workshop’s Longstanding Employees: Sales Team
The Sash Window Workshop’s Longstanding Employees: Survey and Operations
The Sash Window Workshop’s Longstanding Employees: Installation Team
