A JET PRESS Jubilee – celebrating 70 years of combined experience

Today, two of our long-standing Directors are celebrating a very special milestone, having both worked at JET PRESS for 35 years! 

Steve Cusick and Andrew Mitchell both joined JET PRESS together on May 3^rd, 1988. Today we have great pleasure in recognising their incredible milestone of 35 years of service. 
 
Steve and Andrew have been an essential part of our team for many years, we take a look back at where they began with us. 

Steve Cusick, Group Managing Director: 

I moved from Cheshire in May 1988 to join JET PRESS as the Company Accountant. As the business expanded, I was promoted to the role of Financial Controller a few years later and became the Finance Director in 2003. During all this time I was a member of the Jet Press Management Team helping run the business. I also took on HR responsibilities during my time with the Management Team which has also been key to our business's Values. 

In 1994 I Qualified as CIMA Accountant using distance learning to pass my qualification exams. 

Away from work, my main interest is Rugby Union, and I played for Macclesfield & Nottingham Casuals for twenty years, before retiring aged 39. Then carrying on the family tradition I became a junior rugby coach at Loughborough Rugby Club, coaching both my boys from U8’s through to Colts, finishing as they moved on to University. I’m also a Leicester Tigers fan, enjoy some “social” golf and have recently taken up Paddle Tennis with some friends. 

As we look ahead to the future of JET PRESS, Steve shared his vision of where the company will be in another 5 years’ time “JET PRESS will continue to grow and develop over the coming years, but always with Our Values at the core of everything we do. Expanding and diversifying our product portfolio is a constant priority and our strong distribution network and reputation position us as an attractive partner for new suppliers. Our bespoke UK metal and plastic manufacturing offering makes us a perfect partner both to key customers, and suppliers, who we can help support especially during these challenging supply chain times which is supported by the great work we are undertaking towards our BSI and IAFT accreditation. But as history has shown, some of the most exciting and challenging opportunities we will endeavour to embrace will not be planned but will become an integral part of the JET PRESS growth and development in the future.”

Andrew Mitchell, Sales & Marketing Director: 

I joined JET PRESS in May 1988 as Product Manager. This role involved managing new product launches and visiting customers, many of whom had never had a visit from JET PRESS before. As sales expanded, I took on the role of Sales Manager in the early 1990’s and then was promoted to Sales and Marketing Manager in 2000. During this time, I was part of a new products team that focused on finding new suppliers of hardware products. This was a new strategy for JET PRESS who until this point had only sold fasteners. We still deal with many of these companies now like Accuride, Salice and Titus. This policy still exists today and we are continually trying to find new products to improve our offer to customers. I became a Director in 2003 and have been a member of the JET PRESS management team for over 20 years. Over the years I have built many long-standing relationships with customers and suppliers both in the UK and abroad. 

I studied CIM Marketing at Nottingham Trent University and qualified in 2005. When I’m not at work I enjoy the stress of watching Nottingham Forest and have followed them for over 50 years and seeing them play at over 50 league grounds both in England and Europe. I also enjoy listening to music, especially Paul Weller whom I have seen live over 20 times. Other interests include Cycling and Golf. 

As we celebrate 35 years of service, it’s natural to reflect on the changes that have taken place during this time, according to Andrew “The internet is the biggest change I’ve experienced. How customers find JET PRESS now is so different to when I first started. Before the internet, we would send out paper mailings and customers would respond by sending back a reply paid card, making a phone call or sending a fax. They would find you in trade directories and the only way of viewing your products was if they had a catalogue or a leaflet. Trade shows were more popular and when we exhibited we would collect hundreds of visitor names to target after the exhibition. When we sourced new products from abroad we would have to visit business libraries in London and find potential companies there. We would contact them by fax or even telex about visiting them. The internet has changed everything, now customers can easily find us online and view our products” 

Olly Guest, our company chairman, works closely with Steve and Andrew and shares his thoughts on this significant contribution. 

Olly Guest, Chairman: 

It’s a challenge to articulate just how significant an impact both Steve and Andrew have had (and continue to have), at JET PRESS. So much of the company’s success can be directly attributed to their involvement.  

On a very personal note. My stepfather Gus founded JET PRESS in Ireland in 1977. Due to his illness (Vascular Dementia), I haven’t ever managed to benefit from working alongside him at our company. I am eternally grateful to Steve and Andrew for stepping up and filling this void, their mentorship and coaching to me and so many other members of the JET PRESS family is truly invaluable.  

We want to congratulate and thank both Steve and Andrew for their hard work and dedication. We’re grateful and appreciate their commitment to our company and look forward to many more years of working together.