Meet the Team - Hotstart United Kingdom
Hotstart has grown over the years, opening locations outside of our main operations in Spokane, Washington. In a mini-series of articles, we'll introduce you to the Hotstart teams across the globe.
Hotstart United Kingdom was created in March 2019 following the acquisition of the engine heating business from a former distributor, IPU. As part of the acquisition, the HUK team gained two key employees that joined us from IPU, Andrew Whitehouse and Jenny Craddock. Since 2019, the team has grown and we've moved into our own office and warehouse setup in Oldbury, seven miles from Birmingham right in the centre of the United Kingdom. We are long overdue to introduce the team so here they are!
Samantha Page - Internal Sales and Operations Assistant
Sam's role includes order entry, quotations, scheduling and general administration. The team is small so often roles and responsibilities cross over as we work to help each other. This provides the opportunity for more to do than the standard day-to-day. Ordering supplies for the office and warehouse helps keep the facility operating. And opportunities for chatting with customers and helping them are ones that Sam looks forward to. Sam loves to travel with her husband and looks forward to getting back out there soon! Before working for Hotstart, Sam previously worked security for Wimbledon and the Golf British Open, which let her meet sports stars and celebs!
Favourites:
- Crisps - Quavers
- Film - Dirty Dancing
- Holiday destination - Australia
- Band - Train (she even met the band while on a cruise!)
- Fact - Sam was married on the Ironbridge Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Traveling and meeting people is one of Samantha's favourite things!
Jenny Craddock - Internal Sales and Operations Manager
Jenny has been with HUK for 2 years since the office was established, but her relationship with Hotstart began when she worked for the previous UK distributor. This experience with the company and product made her a great fit. Jenny's manufacturing and sales background paired with a passion for customer service drive her work overseeing the day-to-day team workload. She takes the lead with managing key accounts, prioritizing customer needs and keeping things efficient to maintain customer satisfaction. Prior to Hotstart, Jenny worked for a precious metals company that turned scrap metal into beautiful jewelry (including the metal extracted from bags of teeth from local dentists!). Her time outside of the office is usually spent with her family enjoying the outdoor life walking, cycling and having fun. Keeping up with twin boys leaves little time for other hobbies!
Favourites:
- Film - The Joker
- Holiday destination - Tuscany, Italy
- Moment at Hotstart - working for Andy!
- Feature - providing a good experience for our customers - professional and friendly!
Jenny and Andy's wife Nicky at one of their first Hotstart celebrations; Jenny enjoying a butterbeer when visiting Harry Potter World.
Steve Templeton - Warehouse and Production Assistant
Steve is the newest member of the team joining in 2020 to look after the goods in the warehouse and dispatch orders to the HUK customers. Prior to working with Hotstart, Steve worked in the steel industry for 25 years and loved "the craic" with his pals. Outside of the office, Steve has various hobbies including learning to fly, watching his favorite football team West Bromwich Albion, gardening, fishing and most importantly, spending time with his grandkids. Around the office Steve is also known as Dr. Dolittle since he's a member of the Birmingham and Black County Wildlife Trust.
Favourites:
- Snack - Pork Scratchings
- Film - Once upon a time in the West
- Holiday destination - Malta, been there 5 times and plan to go back!
Steve hard at work at the office in the warehouse and outside feeding the local birds.
Andrew Whitehouse - Managing Director
Andy worked closely with Hotstart for 31 years through the previous UK distributor. In the two years since joining the company, he's gotten the opportunity to work more closely with the team in Köln, Germany to help coordinate efforts in the region. Andy's role involves the overall management and strategic direction of the office and team as well as business development for new opportunities. Even though the product is known in the UK, there is still great potential for growth with new and existing customers and the team is well positioned to do so much more in the years to come. Prior to Hotstart, one of Andy's favourite jobs was dressing up as He-Man and signing autographs in toy stores around the Midlands with Skeletor. When he's not in the office, Andy enjoys going to Villa park and watching his favourite team Aston Villa. Until he can go and watch them again, he's making do watching them on TV whilst enjoying a beer or two at home.
Favourites:
- Crisps - Cheese and Onion
- Film - Les Patterson Saves the World
- Football team - Aston Villa F.C.
- Holiday Destination - Cape Town, South Africa
- Moment at Hotstart - During a meeting with a customer in France, a fellow Hotstart colleague fell asleep in their chair, remaining upright and snoring after traveling 24 hours to get there. It really broke the ice and happy to say the customer saw the funny side of it and is still one of our largest clients!
- Feature - Do everything with a smile and make everything as enjoyable as possible
Andy works hard and enjoys spending time with coworkers, especially if there's an Aston Villa game to watch!
We look forward to when we can have customers come by the office and see our operation in person. We'll have the kettle on!