Chris Emes takes the role of Chairman of the board at Mechatherm

Mechatherm International Limited, a leading provider of bespoke industrial furnaces and aluminium cast house equipment, announces the retirement of its current Chairman, Andrew Riley, and the promotion of Chris Emes, currently serving as Director, to the role of Chairman effective June 30th, 2024.

Andrew Riley has served as company Chairman for over three decades, guiding Mechatherm through periods of unprecedented growth, the introduction of many new technologies, and the challenges of a global pandemic. Under his leadership, Mechatherm has grown into a globally recognised name in the aluminium furnace industry.

“I thank Andrew Riley for his successful tenure as Chairman since the early 90’s,” said Chris Emes. “We wish him well in his retirement and look forward to continuing Mechatherm’s legacy long into the future.”

Chris Emes began his career at Mechatherm Engineering in 1980 as a project engineer after graduating from John Moores University. After two years in the UK sales office, Chris gained experience as a site engineer, constructing and commissioning an aluminium foundry near Johannesburg, and later became the sales manager of the South African office.

Upon returning to the UK, Chris assumed the role of sales manager, where he was instrumental in developing aluminium recycling and cast house technologies. In 1990, Mechatherm International Limited was formed, and Chris became a joint Managing Director and shareholder. When his father, Bryan Emes, and his partners retired in 1993, he took on the sole Managing Director role and acquired a larger stake in the company. In recent years, Chris has played a supportive role, working alongside Sales Director Mark Allen to develop strategies and build connections in the Australasia and Asian markets.

The original founders of Mechatherm, Lou Riley, John Gardner, and Chris’ father, Bryan Emes, have been influential in Chris’s career, sharing their combined engineering, sales and financial acumen. Reflecting on some of the highlights of his career, Chris recalled pivotal moments such as securing the first large-scale melting furnace order, achieving Mechatherm’s first million-pound order in 1991, winning the prestigious Queens Award for Enterprise, presented by Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace and celebrating Mechatherm’s 50th year in business.

With Chris’ extensive experience at Mechatherm, this transition is expected to be seamless. The company will focus on developing new technologies by collaborating with universities and in-house R&D departments, continuing to adapt to the aluminium industry's ever-changing needs. Sustainability remains a key priority at Mechatherm, with efforts to improve designs to increase performance and efficiency and reduce environmental impact, along with sourcing sustainable materials and components.

“To be successful is our long-term vision, we need to work as a tight-knit team with ambitious goals for development and expansion” – Chris Emes.