A Decade of Directorship at Listers
Posted on 08/05/2012
Lister Trade Frames have always been keen to recognise achievements within their company and Friday 6th April 2012 saw another milestone worth celebrating. 10 years previously Phil Warren became director of the Stoke based manufacturer after working his way up through the ranks.
‘Starting on the shop floor and working your way up’ is a phrase that is often used to test ones resolve, to see whether the individual has what it takes. This was certainly the case with Phil Warren. It was April 1993 when Phil was first employed, in his own words, as “a cutter of straight cills... extraordinaire!” “I really did start at ground level. Working by myself, I remember cutting metre lengths of gasket for 8 hours a day every day.”
It wasn’t long before the company recognised that Phil had what it took to progress and was duly promoted to Assistant Manager of their expanding trade counter. This naturally brought him into direct contact with customers and it was here that his true calling was realised.
“Phil had a great way of communicating with our customers, usually through his humour and quick wit” said MD Mark Warren, “He quickly built excellent relationships and we decided that we needed to get him out on the road as a salesman.”
As the companies’ only travelling salesman at that time, a lot of pressure was heaped onto Phil’s shoulders but it was a challenge that Phil relished. “I really enjoyed being out and about” said Phil “gathering new business and meeting new people. Sales was something that I felt really comfortable with”.
As the company grew in reputation and stature, Phil was promoted to Sales Manager, to oversee the development of a troop of salesmen. “This was something that kept the company well ahead of the competition,” commented Darren Pusey, Production Director, “Phil was the obvious choice to head up the sales team as his commitment and enthusiasm was something we wanted all our sales guys to replicate.”
In 2002 after just under a decade of working with Listers, Phil was asked to join the Board of Directors as Sales Director.
“It was a genuine honour to be asked to join the board. I’d loved every minute of my various roles at Listers and I was being asked to help take the company to the next level. It took me a nanosecond to think about it before I accepted.”
“We were delighted to welcome Phil as a Director back in 2002 as his dedication to the business had been unwavering since the first day he started,” remarked Mark Warren. “Looking back over the last 10 years underlines how right we were to give Phil the role.”
In his 10 years as Sales Director Phil has helped drive Listers sales from £3Million to over £8Million and he has used his hands on experience to oversee the company move to new premises, launch their new trade counter, develop their commercial sales, achieve national recognition at the G-Awards and has helped make Listers the strong and profitable company that it is today.
“If you’d asked me in 1993 where I would be in 20 years time, I would have honestly said Listers....but I never imagined myself in a Directors chair.”
Everyone at Listers would like to congratulate and thank Phil for all his hard work since the day he first joined the company. Here’s to another ten years!
