How long have you been at New Balance?
About 28 years in total which seems a long time but it has flown by.
Have you always made footwear?
Pretty much. I was at the famous Millers Footwear Company in nearby Cockermouth before New Balance.
What has changed since you started working in Flimby?
The Lean manufacturing and team working has made vast improvements.
What is your best memory of working for New Balance?
When Bryan Robson visited our old site at Lillyhall. I’m a huge Manchester United fan and it was great when he spent time with us all chatting about how we made his boots.
What is your favourite New Balance silhouette to work on?
The new M/W576 has more styles that uses more knives therefore better material utilisation. We look at shoes in a completely different way compared to your average person.
What are you wearing today?
My favourite is the M859 running shoe but I use my own M576RBT cutting room shoe to go out and about in. Show ‘em off you know!
How do you feel about people buying a shoe that not only you have made but you have inspired the design and has your signature on?
I feel very proud to be associated with a successful product.
Photos by houyhnhnm
