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, includingSales Manager in both the UK and South Africa. As a key figure in developing aluminium recycling and cast housetechnologies, he became 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.
An Interview with Chris Emes
Could you share a brief overview of your career and how you arrived at Mechatherm?
Having completed a Mechanical Engineering degree at Liverpool Polytechnic (now John Moores University) in 1978, I was employed by Ford Truck Engineering Basildon for 2 years. In 1980 I was interviewed by my father, Bryan Emes, and his two fellow shareholders for the position of Project Engineer at Mechatherm Engineering Ltd, which had been formed in 1973.
What have been some of the highlights of your time with Mechatherm?
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 50th year in business, since our founding in 1973 made me very proud, long may we continue.
Has there been anyone in particular that has had a significant influence on your professional journey?
The founders of Mechatherm, Bryan Emes, Lou Riley and John Gardner shaped my career greatly with their combined engineering, sales and financial acumen.
Could you describe some of the roles and responsibilities you’ve held at Mechatherm?
After 2 years in the UK sales office, I gained experience as a site engineer, constructing and commissioning an aluminium foundry nearJohannesburg sold by the agent of Mechatherm at that time. I was then made Sales Manager of the South African office, representing Mechatherm and other companies. In 1984 I returned to 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.
How does it feel to have been appointed company Chairman?
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 takeover and continue the Mechatherm legacy into the future.
What is your long-term vision for Mechatherm with you as chairman?
We will be looking to continue to develop our product range to adapt to the ever changing requirements of our customers. We have always prided ourselves in specialising in producing bespoke solutions and trying to be as flexible as we can to meet new production challenges. In doing so, we will be looking to continue to develop and expand our business plan.
What key strategies do you intend to implement to drive innovation and growth at Mechatherm?
To be successful inour 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 for R & D of our products and the way we engineer them. We are also going to be implementing the latest ERP systems to ensure smooth running of all of our departments throughout our company.
How important is sustainability at Mechatherm and what steps are you planning to take in this area?
Sustainability is key to the ongoing business plan of Mechatherm. 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.
What message would you like to convey to Mechatherm’s customers about this leadership transition?
This is a smooth transition which we want to use to give Mechatherm fresh impetus as we strive for better quality of supply to our customers across our product range, spares and maintenance/service support.
Are there any specific industry trends or challenges that you believe Mechatherm is well positioned to address?
Adaptability is of paramount importance. The products our customers want to produce and the materials which they want to process or recycle are constantly being redeveloped. We will always be monitoring these trends with our customers, together with the resulting contractual requirements associated.
