ROGER HOWKINS RETIRES AS MANAGING DIRECTOR OF MATSUURA MACHINERY LTD

It is with much sadness that we announce the retirement of Roger Howkins after 28 years’ service to Matsuura UK, 15 years of which were as Managing Director, and wish him a fond farewell.

Very much respected throughout the company and wider UK manufacturing community for his relaxed, friendly manner and consensus style of leadership, Roger took Matsuura to new heights both commercially, ethically and culturally.

Roger’s forward thinking and progressive ethos earned him the loyalty and respect of all who worked with him. The latitude and understanding he gave employees to grow into their roles and fulfil their potential to best serve the company is a defining & unique factor of his years of leadership and earned him a fierce loyalty and respect of all colleagues.

His many major milestones include overseeing the expansion of the portfolio to include Additive Manufacturing, and the outright purchase and complete overhaul of the company HQ in Coalville, Leicestershire. Achieving ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 under his leadership were proud moments, as was winning numerous awards – significantly one recently for Outstanding Workplace Culture.

The Matsuura UK business of today is completely unrecognisable to that which he inherited all those years ago at the beginning of his tenure, and he leaves behind a grateful workforce, a healthy balance sheet and a stable and successful business model.

Thank you, Roger, – enjoy your well-earned retirement!

Roger is seen here handing over to David Chapman, the new Managing Director of Matsuura Machinery Ltd, with the UK management team.