《Charlotte Davey rises from office girl to MD of Anglo Adhesives, of Melton》：
Charlotte Davey makes a good role model for girls being encouraged to get into traditional manufacturing businesses.
As an 18-year-old, Charlotte went for two jobs on the same day and was offered both of them.
Her instinct told her Anglo Adhesives, in Scudamore Road, Leicester, was the best option and she accepted a role as an office administrator.
Twenty-five years later and she has just been appointed managing director of the same business after rising through the ranks.
“I didn’t anticipate being here for 25 years,” said Charlotte.
“The managing director Peter Kinder saw something in me from a young age. I went on the road and I was taught the ropes.
“I came back inside the business as customer service manager and did that for many years.”
Shortly after she joined the firm, it became part of adhesive products group Evo-Stik.
It changed its name to Evo Speciality Adhesives, making adhesives for, among other things, self-folded envelopes and synthetic sports surfaces.
In 1999, Evo-Stik merged with Bostik, leading Mr Kinder to start up a new business and take nine of his 25 staff with him, including Charlotte.
The new firm, Anglo Adhesives, was based in Glenfield.
She then became sales and marketing director, and has been groomed for the top job over the past few years.
“At the time we were not defined by the markets we got into,” said Charlotte.
“We did a bit of contract packing and blended adhesives. We found we needed to get into other products, which happened in 2003 when we bought Crispin Adhesives.
“This gave us manufacturing capability, which opened up markets we could supply into, like furniture-making, leather goods and the aerosol market.” Fosse Polymers, of Melton, was bought in 2005, leading Anglo to relocate to its premises in Dalby Road in the town.
“That acquisition got us into the arts and crafts market and we sell indirectly to retailers,” she said.
“We have made two quite large acquisitions in a short period of time and have spent quite a time integrating them properly.”
Today, the business employs 25 people, has a turnover in the “low millions of pounds” and exports 25 per cent of its sales. Mr Kinder has now become company chairman.
Charlotte, 43, lives in Melton with children Sidney, seven, and Georgie, five.
She said although the adhesive industry was male-dominated, she had never experienced any barriers.
“I think as long as you know what you’re talking about and know you’re products, you’ll be OK” she said.
“Face-to-face contact helps. That’s what I try to do. It builds a relationship with people.
“Twenty years ago, I was dealing with people who were a lot older than me.
“Nowadays I’m dealing with people of a similar age. As long as you know what you can and can’t do, and are honest about it.
“I chose to have my children later, but not just because of the business.
“Although I did have maternity leave, I was able to come back gradually. That helped.
“I’m very fortunate. I work for a company which has helped me fit in with my home life.
“All those years ago, I chose to join this business because I liked the ambiance. It seems I made the right choice.”
《Charlotte Davey rises from office girl to MD of Anglo Adhesives, of Melton》：
Charlotte Davey makes a good role model for girls being encouraged to get into traditional manufacturing businesses.
As an 18-year-old, Charlotte went for two jobs on the same day and was offered both of them.
Her instinct told her Anglo Adhesives, in Scudamore Road, Leicester, was the best option and she accepted a role as an office administrator.
Twenty-five years later and she has just been appointed managing director of the same business after rising through the ranks.
“I didn’t anticipate being here for 25 years,” said Charlotte.
“The managing director Peter Kinder saw something in me from a young age. I went on the road and I was taught the ropes.
“I came back inside the business as customer service manager and did that for many years.”
Shortly after she joined the firm, it became part of adhesive products group Evo-Stik.
It changed its name to Evo Speciality Adhesives, making adhesives for, among other things, self-folded envelopes and synthetic sports surfaces.
In 1999, Evo-Stik merged with Bostik, leading Mr Kinder to start up a new business and take nine of his 25 staff with him, including Charlotte.
The new firm, Anglo Adhesives, was based in Glenfield.
She then became sales and marketing director, and has been groomed for the top job over the past few years.
“At the time we were not defined by the markets we got into,” said Charlotte.
“We did a bit of contract packing and blended adhesives. We found we needed to get into other products, which happened in 2003 when we bought Crispin Adhesives.
“This gave us manufacturing capability, which opened up markets we could supply into, like furniture-making, leather goods and the aerosol market.” Fosse Polymers, of Melton, was bought in 2005, leading Anglo to relocate to its premises in Dalby Road in the town.
“That acquisition got us into the arts and crafts market and we sell indirectly to retailers,” she said.
“We have made two quite large acquisitions in a short period of time and have spent quite a time integrating them properly.”
Today, the business employs 25 people, has a turnover in the “low millions of pounds” and exports 25 per cent of its sales. Mr Kinder has now become company chairman.
Charlotte, 43, lives in Melton with children Sidney, seven, and Georgie, five.
She said although the adhesive industry was male-dominated, she had never experienced any barriers.
“I think as long as you know what you’re talking about and know you’re products, you’ll be OK” she said.
“Face-to-face contact helps. That’s what I try to do. It builds a relationship with people.
“Twenty years ago, I was dealing with people who were a lot older than me.
“Nowadays I’m dealing with people of a similar age. As long as you know what you can and can’t do, and are honest about it.
“I chose to have my children later, but not just because of the business.
“Although I did have maternity leave, I was able to come back gradually. That helped.
“I’m very fortunate. I work for a company which has helped me fit in with my home life.
“All those years ago, I chose to join this business because I liked the ambiance. It seems I made the right choice.”