At Unifabs, we pride ourselves on delivering high-quality sheet metal fabrications in the UK. Keeping production running smoothly and on schedule is vital. Team members like Chris Lawrence, our Day Shift Production Manager, play a key role in making this happen. Chris has not long celebrated 10 years as part of the team at Unifabs, having joined in 2015. In that time he has progressed through several roles to now lead the day shift.
Starting out hands-on welding and fabricating sheet metal assemblies gave Chris a solid understanding of our processes and how our sheet metal fabrication team based in the UK works to deliver quality products efficiently. Today, he ensures that jobs move smoothly through each department, production targets are met, and customers receive finished products on time and to the high standards they expect, a role that embodies the key responsibilities of a Production Manager.
Q&A
We caught up with Chris to learn more about his role in our UK sheet metal fabrication team and why he enjoys working at Unifabs.
What does “Design, Manufacture, Finish, Deliver” mean to you?
Design is the thought that goes into a job to meet the customer’s needs, setting the foundation for everything that follows. Manufacture is where that design is turned into reality, whether through profiling, folding or welding. Finish is about the final look and quality, from powder coating to polishing, graining, plating and assembly. Deliver is making sure the product is packed properly and arrives on time.
Design, Manufacture, Finish, Deliver is the full journey of a product, and what makes each job satisfying is that I get to see the whole thing come together.
What is a typical day at Unifabs for a Production Manager?
As a Production Manager my days are all about making sure jobs move smoothly through each department. From fabrication to finishing and assembly, and no two days are ever the same. I spend time liaising with multiple departments, coordinating the teams, checking schedules and solving any issues that pop up along the way. It’s about keeping production running efficiently, meeting targets, and making sure every product meets the high standards required of our customers.
What’s a challenge you enjoy tackling at work?
Hitting targets and seeing the final product delivered to a happy customer is what motivates me at work. Coordinating multiple teams and workflows so that jobs move seamlessly through each stage can be complex and challenging at times, but I enjoy problem-solving when issues arise and finding solutions that keep production on track and targets met.
Outside of Work…
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I’m a massive Aston Villa fan and love the buzz of a live match. I try to get to as many as I can; there’s nothing quite like the atmosphere at Villa Park.
What’s on your bucket list?
I’ve ticked skydiving off the list, but I’d still love to swim with sharks and visit New York at Christmas. Two very different experiences, but both things I’m keen to do.
Are you a coffee or tea person?
Got to be coffee; it helps get me going in the morning!
