A contract electronics manufacturer is celebrating an employee’s 25 years of service as the business marks a buoyant period of growth.
Managing Director Marc Ellis started at Middleton-based UK Circuits and Electronics Solutions (UKC) as a 16-year-old engineering apprentice back in 1997, the same year the company was founded. He has remained at the firm ever since, gradually progressing through the ranks of management. In 2019, he took over the helm as MD, having previously worked in managerial roles across several departments including purchasing and later, operations.
Quickly demonstrating his technical ability as an engineer testing the company’s printed circuit boards, Marc eventually progressed to more senior positions, including Purchasing Manager and later, Operations Manager. It was in these roles that Marc developed his communication skills, often liaising between customers and the production department to ensure a streamlined service for UKC’s wide, established client base covering numerous sectors including industrial, lighting, automotive, rail, pest control and defence.
During his time working for UKC, Marc has been recognised for his contribution to the business, his hard work ethic and professional manner.
He has witnessed the firm go from strength to strength to become a leading player in the contract electronic manufacturer’s market and has also seen it overcome many changes synonymous with a growing business. There have also been challenges, including the 2008 recession, and later the pandemic which hit just after he became Managing Director. As a service provider, UKC remained continually open during lockdown to ensure service agreements were being carried out.
Marc said: “On reflection, the timing wasn’t perhaps the best for me to become MD of a company but being thrown a few curveballs and dealing with many difficult situations ultimately made me become a more effective one. During COVID we remained open for business, and I had to ensure the wellbeing of a lot of working as well as furloughed staff while maintaining production levels. But I’ve always believed that going through difficult times is an opportunity to learn and improve, which has always served me well.
“Manufacturing is a great sector to work in, I love dealing directly with our customers and suppliers. I also wouldn’t have wanted to learn anywhere else, and I look forward to what the future holds at UKC.”
Simon Deacon, Director of UKC said: “Marc has without doubt shown what he is capable of over the past 25 years here to become an integral and invaluable part of the business. Since joining us, Marc has played a key role in helping UK Circuits earn a reputation for delivering the highest quality service to our customers. He continues to do so today with passion and a wealth of knowledge that only 25 years in the sector can provide.
“On behalf of everyone at UKC, we want to a say a huge thank you to Marc and his outstanding service to the business and our customers.”