Member Article

Davison returns to James Heal

Mark Davison has joined Halifax engineering firm James Heal as service and support business unit manager. The appointment is the second time Mr Davison has worked at James Heal, the market leader in the design and manufacture of precision testing equipment and support services in the global textile industry.

Mr Davison (50) first joined James Heal in 2010 as service and calibration manager. Prior to this, he spent 23 years at Bradford-based Turnbridge Engineering after starting an engineering apprenticeship aged just 17.

Mr Davison left James Heal in 2014 to take up a post as operations manager for an engineering business in North Yorkshire. He has over 32 years’ experience in the manufacturing engineering sector.

In his new role since re-joining James Heal, Mr Davison will lead a dedicated team of specialist engineers in the service and support team, providing help and calibration to customers across the world.

Commented Mr Davison: “James Heal has been at the forefront of textile innovation for many years and is truly an international player. Innovation cannot be underestimated and is the main driver behind successfully competing on the world stage. This was a key factor in influencing my decision to return. I’m very proud to work for a UK manufacturing company which competes on a global scale.”

With 109 employees at its manufacturing and testing site in Halifax and supported by a global network of agents and distributors in over 60 countries, James Heal is a leading innovator and manufacturer of precision testing instruments, with expertise in materials testing across multiple sectors – from traditional textiles, to emerging sub-sectors of technical textiles.

Outside of textiles, the company’s products have been used to test materials, such as rubber, in the automotive industry; to more diverse items such as wooden flooring. The company comprises of three core divisions offering customers a complete service: testing instruments, test materials, and service and calibration.

Added Mr Davison: “James Heal embraces the ethos of working closely with customers on various levels not just product sales. I believe this is key to retaining business and fostering long term customer relationships, which is vital for manufacturing businesses if they are to survive and flourish in the face of tough international competition. James Heal is a company with a rich manufacturing heritage and this, combined with its values, make it a force to be reckoned with in its field.”

Amanda McLaren, managing director at James Heal, said: “We’re excited to welcome Mark back in a more strategically focussed role. He brings great knowledge and engineering expertise to the team and returns at an important time in the firm’s 147 year history as we look to open up and explore more global markets than ever before. James Heal has an enviable position in the market place but it’s vital to not stand still which is why we continue to invest to create a business that has a strong and profitable future in the global testing sector.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Terry Gilligan .