Age: 58
Background: Mechanical & Field Engineer, Manufacturing
Position: Sales & Marketing Director for Metal Craft Industries UK LTD
Time at MCI: 17 Years
Typical Work Week: 60hrs
We all experience mixed emotions when adapting to change, even if it is a positive one. Change is natural and there are many times in our lives that we must adapt as a person or to our surroundings.
Retirement is a huge life change that creeps up on all of us, it is something that is always at the back of our minds…and then one day it becomes a decision we have to make.
When discussing retirement the same questions are always asked;
‘Won’t you get bored?’
‘What are you going to do with all that time!?’
‘How many hobbies are you taking up? Because I’ve spoken to Bob across the road and he’s taking up 7… including yoga!’
When making a change like this it is important to do what YOU want to do. That is exactly what Mark has done.
Mark, current Sales & Marketing Director of Metal Craft Industries, an Engineering company based in Wellingborough plans to retire and move to France with his wife in the New Year. After spending 17 years at MCI he has been as been described as ‘someone who goes above and beyond with his work’ by colleagues and he will certainly be missed within the company.
As someone who has had strong work ethics his whole life he described himself as a ‘bit of a workaholic’, Mark was the perfect person to sit down with to discuss how he intends to adapt from the fast paced job he currently has to having 24 hours a day of free time.
When did you know it was time to retire?
‘This is a difficult question for me. Although I am retiring I will have to find something to do. Keep the body and mind active. Clare retired 2 years ago and I guess sub-consciously it drove me down that road. It was a very difficult decision as I do enjoy working, however now I have made the decision then I know it was the right thing to do.’
What are you looking forward to the most?
‘The challenge of not only finding stuff to do but moving to a foreign country excites me. Although I am aware of the French culture it is totally different to the hustle and bustle of how we live our lives in the UK. Peace and serenity after years of the fast pace we experience here….the red wine and cheese makes it all worthwhile too!’
How/have you prepared?
‘The preparation hasn’t taken that long really. Buying the house certainly accelerated the process and helped in being prepared for the next chapter in my life. Having a partner who thinks the same way is always helpful! Having lived in both Germany and the Far East has provided me with the understanding of moving to a foreign country so having the ‘worldly’ outlook has help me to prepare and it does not phase me in any way. Oh….liking the red wine and cheese certainly helps!’
Do you have any worries?
‘No…what is there to worry about? Maybe Brexit if you let it! Maybe the slide in Sterling if you let it! It does mean that the wine and cheese will go up in price but I can cope with that!…just. I’m think I am fairly pragmatic and being in sales you need to be optimistic…so what could possibly go wrong!’
What will you miss about working?
‘I won’t stop working as such but I will miss the banter and my colleagues here at Metal Craft. Seventeen years is a long time and I have enjoyed nearly every minute. Making stuff too….have been in manufacturing all my working life so it will tough not to do that anymore….really tough. But the cheese and wine will make up for it…maybe!’
What won’t you miss about it?
‘Being at the same company for a long time tells you that you like it where you are….of course there have been difficult and stressful times and I would be lying if I stated otherwise but you deal with it and try to improve.’
What is your biggest achievement in the company?
‘This one is quite easy to answer….becoming a Director. I joined the company as a field engineer to rollout equipment on a Safeway project and through hard work and determination worked my way up to running the sales department.’
A bit of advice for Ron? (The New Guy)
‘Believe in yourself and the team around you. Simples! We have a great team here and with a wealth of knowledge…they are more than happy to help.’
May you have the best and most fulfilling retirement Mark, I’m sure you will with all that red wine and cheese! We will miss you.
Metal Craft Industries UK LTD is a modern 21st century engineering company based in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. At MCI, we have a highly skilled and talented workforce who manufacture Stainless Steel and Aluminium products, specialising in bespoke and general equipment for retail sectors, catering, labs, clean rooms and many more..