SSI 20 Year Anniversary
SSI Europe are delighted to announce they are celebrating their 20-year anniversary this year.
With this in mind, Managing Director Matthew Cross has been reflecting on the journey thus far, and thought you might like to read some of his findings…
- How did your unity with SSI first come about?
I first joined a company called Marathon Monitors in 1995 and was lucky enough to make friends with Bill Thompson, the founder of Marathon Monitors, which subsequently became Super Systems Inc. Bill and I had many discussion with regards to me joining SSI and I finally agreed to set up Super Systems Europe in partnership with him in 2003.
- Why did you decide to set up SSi Europe?
One of my aims in creating SSI Europe was to service customers more effectively with a 3-gas analyser and full probe testing facilities. SSi already had the PGA 3 gas analyser then, but I decided that I would need an absolute and in-depth knowledge of the device in order to provide the service I knew customers deserved – so I set up a probe-testing workshop in my garage! Following this period of intensive learning about the PGA 3 I felt fully equipped to offer the expert advice and customer service that our customers warranted. This, in turn, led to me realising I could fulfil a need in this area, and thereafter, SSI Europe was born.
- What did you think were the benefits to the sector of SSi Europe?
Naturally, I knew a European role would be a huge challenge, however, I remained determined to ensure that we could have probes available “off the shelf”, as well as offering free 3 gas checks to clients who bought probes from us. As expected, it was a lot of travelling for me, but it enabled me to provide what I consider to be a “game changing service”. It was certainly worth it!
- How quickly did the team grow from being “just Matt” as an agent to a factory with staff?
We incorporated the business in 2005 as we were certain that our work brought great value to the sector, and by 2007 we had bought our first premise and taken on my wife Judy to do the financial side. We added an engineering manager in January 2009 (in the teeth of a serious recession) and have kept adding to the team ever since.
- What were the challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?
The 2009 credit crunch recession was difficult for us, as it was for many businesses. Understandably, many companies suspended their capital projects in order to protect their cash reserves. We had a large order for two control cabinets cancelled and we learned that customers were taking probes and other consumables from furnaces they were mothballing to try and overcome any problems they were having as opposed to turning to us for help. Fortunately, just prior to the recession, we had received a large order for some rotary furnace electrical and gas panels for a British company’s overseas factory, and thankfully this kept us going through what would have been a very difficult 3-4 months. After this period, confidence returned in the economy, and we were able to engage with new and existing clients once more.
- What are the biggest changes you have seen during the last 20 years?
The biggest change for us came about with the withdrawal of the UK from volume gearbox manufacture, whose production has now gone to traditional European manufacturing nations or the newcomers from Eastern Europe. As we provide heat treatment for those metal parts, it was a huge shift in our focus. However, we are still expert at racing transmissions and lots of other specialist areas. The current gradual change to “EPUs” is also huge.
- What has been your proudest moment?
Without doubt, opening our 6000 sq. ft factory next to Jaguar Land Rover in Castle Bromwich made us all very proud. It was one of those moments that you had always hoped for, but never dared to dream about – and then suddenly it was a reality. It cemented the knowledge that we were indeed providing the right service to the right people.
- What are your hopes for the next 20 years?
We hope to keep helping British and European manufacturers improve efficiency and maintain competitiveness against great manufacturers in Asia and the USA. The lessons we have learnt in our first 20 years have also taught us to expect the unexpected, and that change is inevitable. However, we now have faith that we will continue to respond positively to enforced change, and to voluntarily create change wherever it will make improvement.
I’ve been very proud to be involved with some of the best manufacturing companies in the world and to help to improve their processes.
