IT Manager Mark Rider is celebrating 35 years at fittings manufacturer Blum UK.
Starting life at the company in 1989, Mark has worked in the IT department and has seen the business grow and change significantly over the decades, as well as move premises and continue to develop its UK headquarters in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.
Interacting with all staff members thanks to the nature of his hands on role in IT, Mark explained he gets great satisfaction from his position, and has done so throughout his tenure, thanks to both the business and its people.
He commented: “It’s simple for me, I enjoy what I do and the people I work with. And, because IT is integrated into every department, I get to interact with everyone, every day. The team are always looking forward and searching for ways to be better, and I think the problem-solving nature of the IT roles I’ve had at Blum have kept things fresh.”
Blum has a number of longstanding employees and Mark believes this is down to its investment in people. “If you have good people, and you want to keep them, you need to invest in them. We’re continually learning and developing, and this is important.”
Amongst his achievements at the business is his role in the installation of the company’s automated warehouse in 2009, proving a game-changer for the warehouse staff and a big challenge as an IT project.
Mark added: “Technology has changed a lot in my time here and I’m pleased to have played my role in updating how we operate. I was 21 when I joined the company and in those days the sales team used to call the office from a phone box! It sounds quite comical when you think about it now. The introduction of Microsoft Teams & Teams Telephony has totally changed the way we work and communicate in recent years.”
He has similarly seen the industry as a whole transform during his time and is positive about the future, commenting: “My parents and grandparents grew up in a time when money was scarce, so they bought furniture with the expectation that it would last a lifetime. There was a period when furniture became more of a disposable item, but now there’s a growing awareness in the industry about sustainability and extending the lifespan of furniture. Blum is at the forefront of this and it’s exciting to be part of it.
Mark concluded: “I firmly believe you need to have a good quality product and good customer service to succeed long-term. In my position, every day is different and brings a new challenge, and I’m proud to have contributed to this company for three and a half decades.”
