In the latest in the '5 Mins With' series, we focus on Mark Appleton, our Accounts Manager here at Kemtile, whose flooring career spans over 40 years!
What is your role at Kemtile?
Accounts Manager
Can you share a bit about your background and experience in the flooring industry?
I started in the flooring industry 40 years ago working on a large tiling project 12,000m2 at Birds Eye Walls in Gloucester for a company called Ab-Chem.
For the next 15 years I worked on the tools, tiling and PU screeding for some of the world’s leading companies in the industrial flooring industry including Kemtile. I joined the Kemtile contracts team in 1999 and this journey is still going strong!
Over 26 years down the line I have been involved in thousands of projects along the way and have seen many changes over the 40 years. I have worked nationwide and in Europe for many clients and worked with some outstanding teams.
Can you highlight a favourite project or accomplishment you’ve been involved in while working at Kemtile?
The Brewery and Distillery at the Glen Mhor Hotel in Inverness. The design input, the challenging scope and the installation by one our best tiling crews was certainly one for the CV.
Also winning the “Kemtile Fantasy Football league” a few seasons ago has to be up there!
What is the best career advice you have ever received?
“Always know your worth.”
What is your favourite thing about working at Kemtile?
Having the right support and a strong experienced team within the company to be able to cope with the challenges that come our way.
How would you describe the culture within the Kemtile team?
We share similar values and each of us brings something to the table. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts, really does apply to the Kemtile principles .
Who are your key role models/inspirations?
Over the past 40 years in the flooring industry I would say that there are four people that spring to mind that have had key roles in helping and developing my career at various stages
Noel Ryan - Hewas my first boss at Ab-Chem and was from the West coast of Ireland. He was well known and respected throughout the industry. He was a master at his craft and instilled in everyone that worked with him the right way of doing things.
Ian Ferguson - He was my mentor at Ab-Chem and gave me the support and the opportunity to get on the tools and progress my tiling career. A real character, well respected and much missed.
Stephen Westley and Jamie Cook – Both Stephen and Jamie gave me a start at Kemtile back in 1999 when I joined full time and have both played major roles in helping me develop my career as a Contracts Manager and an Account Manager.
Getting to know you…
What is your favourite
Book – Anything that I find on the free bookshelf on Holiday, that’s where I read! Jonny Marr’s autobiography “Set The Boy Free” was worth a read !!
Movie – I don’t have a favourite movie but the best box set is by a long shot “ The Sopranos”
Album – Dark Side of the Moon
Most people don’t know that…. I have six beautiful grandchildren.
In my spare time… I have a caravan on the Llyn Peninsular I like to relax there in my spare time with my family and 2 dogs.
