Steve Boulton Celebrates 40 years
F. Ball technical service manager Steve Boulton is celebrating 40 years with the company, during which time he has established himself as one of the leading figures in flooring industry technology.
Steve leads F. Ball’s technical service team, which provides expert advice on how to get the most out of F. Ball’s range of subfloor preparation products and adhesives, as well as the testing that ensures they will perform as required and goes into producing F. Ball’s Recommended Adhesives Guide (RAG®).
After training as an engineer at a time when industry was declining in Staffordshire, Steve started his career at F. Ball in 1984 in the sales and marketing department and soon became interested in the technical aspects of flooring. His knowledge expanded through extensive site work and he moved to the Technical Services Department in 1996. Within the year, he was promoted to lead the team and has remained within the department ever since.
Steve says: “I’ve always believed in the value of getting out there to speak to flooring contractors and provide specific guidance and ensuring people understand how to use a product.”
During his time at F. Ball, he has played a role in technological advancements that have made life easier for flooring contractors, including developing the protocol for the pump application of Stopgap smoothing compounds. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the F. Ball training facility, which evolved into the F. Ball Centre of Excellence, offering free courses for flooring professionals.
Steve added: “Things have changed over the years – my career has taken me from dial telephones to iPhones, but the principles are the same, including continuous product improvement and excellence in customer service. No man is an island though, and without working alongside a highly skilled and dedicated team working with me, this wouldn’t have been possible. I am fortunate to have been guided and helped by many people along the way.”
On this milestone, F. Ball managing director Darren Kenyon said: “Technical support is one of the strengths that sets F. Ball apart in the flooring industry, and Steve’s leadership of the Technical Service Department continues to be a key contribution to our success. He has been here longer than most of us, and it’s difficult to overstate his contribution to the company. Congratulations on such a great achievement.”
