Injection moulding specialist MGS Technical Plastics has appointed Judson Smythe as its new Managing Director.
The company serves a diverse range of industries including automotive, medical, defence, consumer goods, hygiene, lighting, oil & gas, electronics, and energy.
As part of the company’s wider growth strategy, incumbent Managing Director Neil Garrity will continue to serve as Chair. At the same time, Mark Preston is named as the new Commercial Director. Following a management buy-in by all three leaders in mid-2024, the transition to Managing Director will be seamless said Judson Smythe.
He confirmed that all three leaders, along with founder John Sturgess, remain totally aligned in their vision for MGS Technical Plastics. He specifically highlighted the company’s focus on growth and investments in people, investment in more sustainable machinery and technology, while also maintaining the Blackburn company’s rich culture and dedication to customer service.
He said: “I am honoured to accept the position of Managing Director. The company’s unwavering commitment to people, progress and culture has propelled us through 50 years of success, and I’m humbled to continue John and Neil’s legacy and be part of this journey. By being good stewards of the firm and staying true to our core values, I’m confident that MGS will continue to rapidly grow, evolve and navigate commercial challenges for many more decades.”
Despite market-wide cost and wage rises, MGS Technical Plastics says that it outperformed much of the market, reporting moderate growth in the last 12 months. Judson attributes much of this commercial success to the unity and strong team effort.
“We remain firmly focused on long-term stability and growth, underpinned by delivering the highest standards and quality to customers,” added Mark Preston.
Welcoming his successor, Neil Garrity commented: “This next leadership chapter is all part of our succession strategy and ambitious growth plans that will drive the business forward.”
Since moving to its current location in 2013, MGS Technical Plastics has invested more than £3 million in its new facility, enhancing its operations with modern, efficient machinery, industry 4.0 technology, and the development of its people.
Photo: The new leadership team at MGS Technical Plastics, Mark Preston (L), Judson Smythe (C) and Neil Garrity (R)