“Sustainability is key to Mechatherm's ongoing business plan”, Chris Emes, Chairman, Mechatherm International Limited

Chris Emes is the newly appointed Chairman of Mechatherm International Limited, where he has served since 1980. Starting as a project engineer after graduating from John Moores University, Chris has held various roles, including Sales Manager in the UK and South Africa. As a key figure in developing aluminium recycling and cast house technologies, he became the sole Managing Director in 1993. Influenced by the company's founders, Chris has driven significant milestones, such as securing Mechatherm's first million-pound order and receiving the Queen's Award for Enterprise. His leadership focuses on innovation, sustainability, and expanding Mechatherm's global reach, particularly in the Australasian and Asian markets.

AL Circle: Could you briefly overview your career and how you arrived at Mechatherm?  

Chris Emes: In 1978, I completed my Mechanical Engineering degree at Liverpool Polytechnic (now John Moores University) and was employed by Ford Truck Engineering Basildon for two years. In 1980, my father, Bryan Emes, and his two fellow shareholders interviewed me for the position of Project Engineer at Mechatherm Engineering Ltd, which had been formed in 1973. 

AL Circle: What have been some highlights of your time with Mechatherm? 

Chris Emes: There have been many highlights, but some of those in my earlier days stand out. Obtaining our first big melting furnace order is one, then winning our first million-pound order in 1991. In later days, we won the very prestigious Queens Awards for Enterprise (export) three times and met the Queen in Buckingham Palace. We started to concentrate on recycling more contaminated aluminium, and winning our first multi-chamber specialist remelting furnaces was a great highlight. Celebrating our 50^th year in business since our founding in 1973 made me very proud; long may we continue.

AL Circle: Has anyone in particular significantly influenced your professional journey? 

Chris Emes: The founders of Mechatherm, Bryan Emes, Lou Riley and John Gardner, shaped my career greatly with their combined engineering, sales and financial acumen. 

AL Circle: Could you describe some of the roles and responsibilities you’ve held at Mechatherm? 

Chris Emes: After two years in the UK sales office, I gained experience as a site engineer, constructing and commissioning an aluminium foundry near Johannesburg sold by the agent of Mechatherm at that time. I then became Sales Manager of the South African office, representing Mechatherm and other companies. In 1984, I returned to the UK to be Sales Manager of Mechatherm, where I was instrumental in moving the product range more to the aluminium recycling and casthouse technologies. In 1990, Mechatherm International Ltd was formed, and I was made joint Managing Director with a 35% shareholding. In 1993, Bryan Emes and his partners retired, and I assumed the role of sole Managing Director. Soon after, I became a 45% shareholder as my Father passed away and left me his 10% shareholding. 

AL Circle: How does it feel to have been appointed company Chairman?

Chris Emes: I thank our previous Chairman, Andrew Riley, for successfully holding the position since the early 1990's. We wish him well in retirement, and I am very pleased to take over and continue the Mechatherm legacy in the future.

AL Circle: What is your long-term vision for Mechatherm with you as chairman?

Chris Emes: We will continue to develop our product range to adapt to our customers' ever-changing requirements. We have always prided ourselves on specialising in producing bespoke solutions and trying to be as flexible as possible to meet new production challenges. In doing so, we will continue to develop and expand our business plan. 

AL Circle: What key strategies do you intend to implement to drive innovation and growth at Mechatherm? 

Chris Emes: To be successful in our long-term vision, we need to work as a tight-knit team with ambitious goals for development and expansion. We are already working with several universities on the R&D of our products and the way we engineer them. We are also going to implement the latest ERP systems to ensure the smooth running of all of our departments throughout our company.

AL Circle: How important is sustainability at Mechatherm, and what steps are you planning to take in this area?

Chris Emes: Sustainability is key to Mechatherm's ongoing business plan. Starting from our ever-improving designs to increase performance efficiency and reduce environmental effects right through to what materials and components we use and where we source them.

AL Circle: What message would you like to convey to Mechatherm's customers about this leadership transition?

Chris Emes: This is a smooth transition that we want to use to give Mechatherm fresh impetus as we strive for better supply quality to our customers across our product range, spares, and maintenance/service support. 

AL Circle: Are there any specific industry trends or challenges you believe Mechatherm is well-positioned to address? 

Chris Emes: Adaptability is of paramount importance. The products our customers want to produce and the materials they want to process or recycle are constantly being redeveloped. We will always monitor these trends and the associated contractual requirements with our customers.