With an annual output of £183 billion and responsible for creating 2.5 million jobs, the UK remains the ninth largest manufacturing nation in the world.

As technology moves so quickly, we can take inspiration and skills learned from those that have enjoyed a life of experience in manufacturing. Despite the rise of a new, digital era, manufacturing remains a vital part of the UK economy. Within this article, we sit with Director of UK Curtain Walling Limited, Duncan Hague to discuss his 47 year career, and what the future holds for manufacturing.

Duncan, can you start at the beginning and tell us a bit about your career?

Absolutely, my first 'proper' job was at Austin Hall in Huddersfield who at the time manufactured and supplied pre-fabricated buildings to the construction industry. I was recruited as trainee QS / Estimator and this gave me a great insight into manufacturing from a young age.

My 'big break' into the commercial aluminium industry came three years later, when I joined Heywood Installation Services Ltd as a trainee Draughtsman. This was a great role and gave me the grounding to understand the technical aspects of the Architectural Aluminium Industry. It was here that I was able to obtain my HTEC qualification in building at Huddersfield Technical College and Huddersfield Polytechnic. Today though, we know it as Huddersfield University.

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How did this shape your next steps?

I stayed at Heywood for some time and joined Dyson Aluminium Ltd in 1985 as Draughtsman, then combined the role as Contracts Manager / General Manager. This was my first insight into running a Commercial Aluminium Company and looking back now, was a significant role in my career.

In 1994 I joined Intercity Glazing Services Ltd in Leeds to set up a Commercial Aluminium Division. Although this was very successful, I took that as far as I could before moving to Midas Aluminium Ltd in 2004. In 2017, I took the leap and set up UK Curtain Walling Ltd under a group of companies. Two years later, my wife Sam and I bought the company and moved away from the group.

What was the impact of doing this?

It was huge. Looking back now it was definitely a bold and brave step, but I’m so pleased we did it. It gave Sam and I much more freedom and the autonomy made way for more creativity in what we do. We took Window Control Systems Limited at the same time, and together we now run both companies which support each other.

What have been your career highlights?

The entire journey has been a highlight, every day is a learning curve and I’ve always enjoyed taking on new challenges and finding ways to adapt. However, owning my own business with all that brings is certainly the icing on the cake.

Where do you see UKCW in the future?

What I've learned is that size doesn’t really matter. So long as we remain a good, profitable company with excellent customer service and reliability, success will follow. We don’t need to be a large company that’s always looking at growth or acquisition.

Our business model allows us to be totally flexible and having a team of outstanding individuals working together is our future. It’s all about people, and we’re lucky to have a team that support each other and are experts in their field.

Is there anything new that’s impacting the industry?

Since the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the fire the aluminium industry standards have been tightened – and rightly so, regarding reaction to a fire in buildings 18 meters and above. Incidents like this will always have an unexpected impact, but safety is always paramount.

Thermal properties of the systems we use are also always evolving in accordance with building regulations / trends. We try to stay connected to people who operate in or around our industry so that we can try be ahead of the curve.

Do you think there are enough opportunities for young people to get into manufacturing?

There are always opportunities for young people in manufacturing, like anything in life, if you want it work hard and get it.

You will always come across challenges; is how you react to them that counts. Resilience is key to success.