Matara UK Ltd, specialist in automation, pneumatics and linear motion products, has appointed two new Business Development Managers as part of a strategic growth plan which has also seen the company increase the size of its aluminium extrusion frame department by nearly tenfold.

Kiran Patel has joined Matara as a Business Development Manager covering the west side of the England from Shropshire to Devon. Kiran has extensive experience in the linear motion industry, developed over 13 years working with bearing manufacturer SKF (UK) Ltd. on the linear motion side of the business. Starting as a helpdesk engineer and progressing to the role of Business Development Manager.  Further experience was gained working for an industrial distributor company as a Linear & Automation Product Manager where he dealt with multiple linear and automation manufacturers. Commenting on his move to Matara, Kiran said: “I was looking for a company that offer the whole linear package, and not just components.  Matara has a vast portfolio of products and services, and the ability to offer full customised automation solutions – all from the UK.  That enables me to offer manufacturing level technical support on our full range of products. It’s the customer interaction that I really like and being able to help customers select the right product for the application, working to budget and delivery expectations.”  Kiran is also active when it comes to identifying new business opportunities: “Market research and recognising customer trends are an important part of my role.  I look at growing market segments and see if they fall into the Matara offering.”

Chris Ager, who covers Midlands and South also boasts extensive experience – 20 years’ worth! – in the bearings industry.  Before joining Matara, Chris worked globally for a major manufacturer of rotary bearings in industries such as quarrying, mining, aggregate, waste water, power generation, oil & gas, and marine.  For Chris, problem solving is one of his favourite aspects of his role as Matara’s Business Development Manager: “Understanding a customer’s problem and how best to overcome it, and being able to discuss that with the customer, is the favourite part of my job. Days are rarely the same though, and whether you are dealing with an OEM, MRO or end user, the BDM role means you have to be able to multi-task, keep a level head, and be able to determine a customer’s needs and how to deliver on those needs.”

Established in 1995, Matara is a specialist supplier of bespoke linear motion, automation, and pneumatic components. Based in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, Matara is a team of 33 employees, serving a wide range of industries, including printing & packaging, food & drink, pharmaceutical and metal processing.

For more information, please go to www.matara.com/, or contact Matara at sales@matarauk.co.uk or on 01684 850000.

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