Meet the Team:
Martin Smith

Each month we’re introducing you to a member of our expert team. This month is the turn of Engineering Capital Projects Manager, Martin Smith.

What is your background and how did you end up at FEG?

I spent 18 years in the Royal Navy as a Weapons Engineer and I believe the training and experiences have made me an excellent problem solver. You can’t call the AA when you are in the middle of the ocean!

After the Navy I spent four years as a project engineer in the pastry industry, where one of the projects I worked on involved introducing good engineering practices to eight UK food manufacturing sites. This provided me the opportunity to learn lots about food production from fresh, chilled and frozen sites.

I moved on to a role with a food machinery manufacturer specialising in conveyor systems, cooling and freezing systems where I was involved in projects formalising machinery and site safety and streamlining electrical and mechanical manufacturing.

Prior to joining FEG I spent 16 years as an engineering manager for a major European salmon processing company. During my time in the seafood industry I grew my team of engineers from four to 26, providing 24/7 engineering cover to the business.

What does a typical work day look like for you?

I start my day with a cuppa while reviewing emails and preparing for the day’s activities. Covid-19 has changed the way we work but much of our day-to-day operations still include customer site visits and supporting the businesses that have remained in production throughout the pandemic.

I have daily catch ups with our engineers across the UK, checking progress on things like CAD drawings or electrical design. Some are embedded within business on long term contracts providing Project Manager/Engineer support, while other guys have been working from home everywhere from Scotland to the South of England.

Most importantly, I spend plenty of time contacting our customers, making sure they’re getting the support they need and keeping them updated with project progress.

What makes FEG different?

The team has a depth of experience and knowledge that is second to none, gained by working in various roles across a wide range of industries. If we can’t find a solution to a problem we have the contacts who do. Even when we come up with what we feel is a solution we conduct our own in-house peer review – a no holds barred analysis to ensure that not only we are happy they it will solve an issue but that we all know what that solution is and we understand it.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

Having ownership of a project from the start to finish and beyond. Even though we may be working for client the project is our responsibility and it is up to us to identify solutions to any problems that may occur and present them and act.

If we can’t find a solution to a problem we have the contacts who do. I value being part of a team full of problem solvers who get the job done.

Martin Smith

Engineering Capital Projects Manager

What are you most passionate about in your role?

For me it’s the people and building relationships – not only with our in-house teams and suppliers but also our customers. I also enjoy the varied nature of the work which we see as a learning opportunity which can help us in the future. I’m proud to be part of driving forward FEG’s goal to be the go-to choice for existing and new customers.