How has DP Medical changed in the 30 years you’ve worked there? And how has your role within the company evolved?
When I started, there were only five people working here, so it was very much a case of everyone helping with all areas of the busines
s. Over the years, the company has evolved into a fully functioning, departmental business. It has changed from a mainly manual process environment to, wherever possible, an automated one.
How has the wider medical/healthcare industry changed in that time?
I joined DP Medical in 1994 from a military background, which gave me a knowledge of quality systems, which was at its early embryotic state. During the early period we predominantly dealt with end users, so it was mainly a relationship building exercise to generate the business. Today, it is a whole customer experience during the pipeline process, leading to the sale and care of the products. We must take all customer departments into account, including procurement, EBME, and sterility, and ensure that end users all have their say.
Can you share any highlights of your time with DP Medical?
It is exciting to be working with products that are at the leading edge of technology and reaching £1 million turnover a year in the mid-1990s was a major achievement. I enjoy working in a small company, which allows me to work in and effect all areas of the business, and this is something that has stood me in good stead. It’s also pleasing when new colleagues join and take over areas that I have been involved in, allowing the business to flourish.
Are there any lessons/skills you’ve learnt in your time with DP Medical?
Progression, forward thinking and change are keys to remaining fresh and enthusiastic. Not all people deal with situations in the same way; as a small business, we need to accept those differences to help others flourish and to allow the business to grow.