As the face of automotive engineering continues to change at pace, a greater number of women are being employed on factory shop floors than ever before.
But where managerial positions were once the sole domain of men, women in manufacturing are now taking up key roles in the industry.
Automotive supplier The Sertec Group is a manufacturer employing 2000 people in the UK, 15% of which are women. But 2017 heralds the appointment of the companys first female Plant Manager.
One of a number of changes within the Group, Tina Vaissiere is promoted from within to take up the position of Plant Manager of Sertecs Light Stampings operation in Aston, Birmingham.
Sertec Group Managing Director Dave Steggles was full of praise for Tinas rise through the company. Whilst we have senior managers in both Learning & Development and Accounts departments, this is our first senior female appointment in an engineering operations capacity. Not only is this very important to us here at Sertec, but we believe it sends out a strong message to our industry as a whole about women in engineering. Tina commands the respect of her colleagues through her knowledge, experience and sheer hard work and fully deserves this new role.
Importantly, Tina has earned her spurs with 20 years manufacturing experience, starting her career as a Press Operator at wire forming company Tulgrove, gaining further experience in assembly, purchasing and sales.
With the acquisition of Tulgrove in 2010, Tina became an integral part of Sertecs Presslite business, (now renamed Sertec Light Pressings) developing into coordinator roles in both logistics and manufacturing at the companys longest standing factory site, on Holborn Hill, Aston.
Tina takes over the reins from another success story of a career developed through acquisition.
Scott Taylor joined Sertec as a Customer Analyst when SEP Presstech was bought in 2000. He later became Logistics Manager at Presslite and struck up a strong working relationship with Tina, which has served the business well ever since.
Experience gained in Operations and then MP&L Management roles eventually led him to become Plant Manager for the Aston and Saltley sites last year.
Scott hands over the lead role to Tina as he is promoted to Group Logistics Manager, based at Sertecs Group Logistics Centre at Hams Hall near Coleshill.
Group CEO Grant Adams said As both Tina and Scott take on key positions within the company, it is important to note that both of them have worked with us through acquisition of their previous employers and have seized the opportunities presented to them. We are always keen to promote people from within and both are evidence of the career paths afforded by Sertec.