Issue 378
There was one particular quote from our interviewee this issue, Neil Stevenson of N.E.J. Stevenson, that really gave me pause for thought. When asked, “What distinguishes a good project from a truly great one?”, Neil responded: “It comes down to alignment and intention. If everyone involved is focused on achieving excellence and is not willing to compromise, then you can create something extraordinary”.
The ‘success’ of a project is so often viewed as a smooth, conflict-free affair – and sometimes rightly so, however the perspective that a shared unwillingness to compromise on excellence, even if this might create some friction between the parties involved along the way, is a valuable one.
N.E.J. Stevenson’s ethos has certainly served the firm well, given its reputation as one of the most highly regarded luxury bespoke furniture makers in the business. Its master cabinet makers and designers specialise in fine, custom-made furniture and bespoke architectural joinery, having taken on a host of high-profile commercial and private commissions over the past four decades.
One of the key challenges now facing the firm is how it might pass down the exceptional skillset and values that define N.E.J. Stevenson to the next generation. The company is actively investing in its apprenticeship programme to attract new talent into the industry, however the looming skills shortage faced by the industry as a whole is undeniably troubling.
Our Training and Education feature this month details the multifaceted approach that industry bodies, charities and businesses are implementing in the face of this crisis. Ann Watson, CEO of Enginuity – a charity dedicated to closing the UK’s engineering and manufacturing skills gap – gives her take on the situation on page 24. Meanwhile, Roy Graves, Technical Support Manager at ercol, discusses how the company’s time-honoured values inform its forward-looking approach to training, mentorship, and workforce development on page 26.
Following this, Astrid Arnold shares the mission behind her female-led company, TouchWood, and her tireless efforts to communicate the value and fulfilment of a career in carpentry and joinery.
Elsewhere in this issue, you’ll find our regular round-up of high-quality installation stories, as well as the latest developments in edgebanding materials, storage and materials handling, and joinery, window & door production.
Happy reading!
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