Editor: Jason, you joined the F. Ball team two and a half years ago, but we know you’ve had a long and close relationship with the company – over 18 years, in fact – tell us more about how you originally got involved with us?
JT: “Before F. Ball, I’d been working as a director in the family flooring business over in Ashbourne, in Derbyshire. We had a lot of work, being well known locally, word of mouth served us well, and we worked on a number of domestic and commercial projects in the area.
“I did a bit of everything: installations, overseeing our retail business, ordering, visiting customers. And throughout all of that, I had a lot of interaction with F. Ball and gained experience in using F. Ball products in a variety of settings. I sort of became a bit of an F. Ball expert.”
Ed: What made you apply to the Technical Service team?
JT: “I’d built up a good relationship with Phil Nightingale, Tech Rep for the East Midlands, over the course of 12-15 years, and one day he called and asked if it was something I’d be interested in. I felt it would be a good change to come off working on my knees and, fortunately, my application was successful.”
Ed: So, you might say Phil was responsible for the step in your career?
JT: “I wouldn’t give him the full credit for the job! He was certainly instrumental; you could say that.”
Ed: What sort of things do you get up to day-to-day in your role?
JT: “It’s very varied; there’s a lot of answering the phone to customers and helping with their queries; writing reports; supporting training programs – there’s a lot to keep me busy.”
Ed: Are there any common issues that keep cropping up when you’re speaking with contractors?
JT: “We work with a lot of people who know what they’re doing, but it’s the seasonal changes and their effect on products that raise a lot of questions. When sites aren’t heated during winter months, or during hot spots in the summer when things warm up, curing times can be affected, for example.
“My general advice is that no two jobs are the same, so preparation is key. Always thoroughly assess the job in hand and use common sense. And if you need help, that’s what the Technical Service team is for.”
Ed: What do you enjoy most about your job?
JT: “The people. The interaction. Last month we welcomed our first contractors in for training in our newly refurbished Centre of Excellence, and it was really exciting getting everything ready and then being able to work with customers face-to-face after such a long time – Covid-safe working, of course.”
Ed: Tell us, what’s your favourite F. Ball product?
JT: “Styccobond F46. I’ve used it for a very long time, and it’s very versatile. For example, it’s being used for LVT more and more. And then Styccobond F49 is the go-to pressure sensitive adhesive for high-temperature environments.”
Ed: What were your career aspirations when you were growing up?
JT: “Football, football and more football. I ended up managing one of my sons’ team for a decade, so you can say it’s an ambition that was fulfilled.
“Before working in the flooring industry, I started my career as a mechanical engineer; it’s very methodical and there’s a lot of practical knowledge that I can apply to my current role – it all lends itself very well.”
Ed: And what do you get up to in your spare time?
JT: “Other than sport, I enjoy lots of walking and travelling – of course, there’s a lot more walking going on at the minute. I live in the Buxton, on the edge of the Peak District, so me and my family have been getting out a lot more and making the most of the nature on our doorstep.”