Editor: Hello Steve, why don’t you start by telling us how you came to work at F. Ball?
Steve Lane: Like many, as a young lad, I went straight from school to the trade, starting off as an apprentice floorlayer.
I spent years learning the ropes and honing my craft. By my mid-twenties, I felt I’d built the expertise and the networks to go it alone, so my own business was born, and the next two decades I had the pleasure of being my own boss.
Though I loved it, I got to a point where I fancied trying my hand at something different. I tried my hand as a contracts manager but felt it wasn’t quite for me. What I really wanted to do was put something back into the industry, especially given the shortage of talent we have. When the training officer role came up at F. Ball, I went for it and got the job.
Ed: It sounds like it was meant to be. What’s the first year been like?
SL: Really good! Though I’ve come from a fitter background, fortunately, F. Ball was my product of choice, so I know all their specifications inside out.
In my first few months, I was shadowing Tim Green, our Head of Training, and when I was more than ready, I was on my own. I’m still getting used to the presenting side of things, but I feel I’ve adapted well, and those I’m training seem to be putting my brief into practice, so it appears to be going well.
As a company, it’s fantastic. The people are great to be around, and there’s a lot of support. Given how F. Ball looked after me and my business, I knew it would be good to work for them. It’s a family-run business, so everyone at F. Ball is a family.
Ed: And where are you training? How often do you do it?
It’s a good mix of being onsite at the F. Ball Centre of Excellence and being on the road to visiting clients all over the country – contractors, wholesalers, retailers. This week I’ve been to Evesham, Tunbridge Wells and Dover, so there’s been a lot of driving, but it makes sense for one of us to go out to train clients whilst the other runs courses at Cheddleton.
Ed: Sounds like you and Tim are the dream team.
SL: We are a good team. When we first met, we clicked, and now we’re singing from the same hymn sheet. We’ve both got high standards and are very particular about how things are done. It’s about highlighting the products, best practice and how to apply them properly to get the best result.
We both hold Master Fitter status (accredited by the National Institute of Carpet and Floorlayers (NICF), so safe to say we know our stuff when it comes to subfloor preparation and fitting floorcoverings. If we’re teaching it, we’ve got to be top of our game.
Ed: We couldn’t agree more. What do you enjoy most about your job?
SL: I love meeting new people. It’s very rewarding being able to give them the benefit of all my knowledge and experience.
Particularly young people. I think most people reading this will be all too aware there’s a lack of new blood coming through. It just doesn’t appear to be a ‘fashionable’ trade, but we all know it’s a fantastic industry to work in, and if you have the right mindset and work ethic, you can do well and enjoy what you do for a living.
We are also seeing a number of people coming to us later in their careers – from other trades, out of the army, for example. You’re really never too old to learn something new, and that’s what we’re here for.
Ed: We know you’ve always been a big fan of F. Ball products. Which is your favourite?
SL: I’ve always been a huge fan of Stopgap 300. It’s fantastic for LVT; you won’t get a flatter floor.
For adhesives, it’s got to be Styccobond F48 PLUS. I’m team wet set – that’s just how I prefer to lay LVT.
Ed: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
SL: My father and brother were joiners, so I definitely didn’t want to do that! I wanted to be a fireman, and later, an accountant (I’ve always been good at maths). My son’s an accountant, so he’s living that dream for me.
Working as a fitter, I loved F. Ball products and I always hoped, one day, I might work for the company. I had a sound relationship with my then Tech Rep, Phil Nightingale, and he said he could see me on the team one day. It’s easy for me to be passionate about the products when I’ve used them throughout my career.
Ed: And what do you get up to in your spare time?
SL: For me, it’s all about family. I’ve a wife and two grown up sons and we’ve got season tickets at Derby County. When I’m not with them or at work, you’ll find me on the golf course.