Hello, my name is Joe Marshall, originally from Romford, now living in Great Totham near Maldon and I am Micromech’s Quality Manager. I have worked in Quality throughout my career. Previously with English Electric/Marconi, during which time I gained an HNC in Engineering and a Post Graduate Diploma in Manufacturing: Management and Technology. The opportunity to join Micromech presented me with one of the best career moves that I have made. Micromech is a great place to work. I have been impressed by the support and dedication of the team in ensuring that the customer is provided with quality service and products.

These are exciting times at Micromech. The Systems side of the business is steadily growing with many new projects underway or in the pipeline. Micromech have recently launched the Energywize business, which offers energy saving products to a growing market sector. As well as having responsibility for maintaining and improving the Quality Management System, I am also involved in Health and Safety and in developing the Environmental Management System. All this goes towards making it a busy and challenging time for me.

I moved to Great Totham about two years ago where I live with my wife Paula. Great Totham is situated near the Blackwater estuary, the saltmarshes of which include Grade 1 sites of special scientific interest and is a haven for thousands of over wintering birds. One of my favourite leisure activities is to walk the coastal paths enjoying the sights and sounds of the spectacular wildlife.

Great Totham is known for being a horse area. We are fortunate in living next door to a small farm that breeds Welsh Cob horses. They also keep sheep and chickens, not to mention about nine or ten dogs! So this provides a constant source of interest especially at foaling and lambing times.

The nearby town of Maldon is one of the hidden gems of Essex, just far enough off the beaten track to remain largely unspoilt, and home of many Thames sailing barges, Maldon Sea Salt and the mud race!

My working life actually started in Maldon at the engineering company of E H Bentall, where I served a five-year apprenticeship. The Bentall family were pioneers in many fields of engineering.
In around 1795 William Bentall produced the first cast iron plough named the “Goldhanger” after the village of its birth. He also went on to introduce the first steam-driven threshing machine to be seen in England. The company rapidly expanded through the 19th century under his son Edward Hammond Bentall, manufacturing a wide range of agricultural equipment. In the early 20th century the company ventured into the design and manufacture of petrol engines and went on to produce the Bentall car, about a hundred of which were made, with only one or two now surviving.

My aim is to continually improve Micromech’s quality system, part of which will involve developing contacts with customers and suppliers. If you wish to discuss any quality issues regarding Micromech’s service or products, please do not hesitate to give me a call or e-mail me at jmarshall@micromech.co.uk