All About Us - Meet the team

Here at Craigsplates there is never a dull moment!! We are a happy, friendly, approachable Team who have been manufacturing and retailing number plates and show plates for over 11 years. Our experienced staff are dedicated employees who do not consider their work here as just a job; they thoroughly enjoy what they do - and it shows! We came from humble beginnings as a lot of successful Companies do; starting with a small market stall at Felixstowe on a Sunday. However, now 11 years on, we have two units in Needham Market where we manufacture and despatch number plates, vinyl stickers, cut and programme car keys and retail various vehicle accessories. We constantly update our technology and source materials globally. This, coupled with the fact no plate leaves our office without our total satisfaction, ensures that YOU, the customer, receive an end product of the highest quality that you will not be disappointed with!

Meet the Team

It was truly difficult to write this section of our website as we don't have specific job titles. I know we keep droning on about it, but we are a Team and we work together as one. OK those posh Marketing companies out there keep throwing at you how you must get "teamwork" into your Mission Statement...but we do it automatically and yes, we're proud of it. No person is more important to the functioning of our Company than another.

We have been unable to take this section seriously, especially when no one wanted their photograph taken!! So read on and I hope it makes you smile, we had fun doing it, but hey we enjoy everyday!!

Craig
The "Boss" will never be seen before 10 in the morning, but you will probably find him still working at 10.30 at night from home!! (He's a bit of a night owl!) In the years I have worked here, I've never seen him lose his temper, sulk, or make anyone feel bad about themselves for making a mistake - he's a real joy to work for. His love of life, generosity and motivation are an inspiration to us all. However, his admin skills are total rubbish, so we try to make sure he's kept well away from that!! Craig is forever bringing new ideas into the workplace and he has developed a bit of a catchphrase, "Listen guys, I had a thought last night, what do you think?......." He works hard during the Show Season, attending the Office during the week and travelling around the country to various shows over the weekends. He's a qualified Emergency Responder - first on the scene at accidents to help save lives. He's also a qualified pilot, qualified Scuba-Diving Instructor AND qualified First Aid Instructor. He's forging ahead with all manner of new ideas and plate ranges - we can't keep up with him. Be warned, he intends to get out and about more during the next year so he may be difficult to get hold of!!

Karen Nickname "Uncle"
I used to be the most eccentric member of the Team (now it's a toss up between me and Lisa!!) and my title is "Office Manager" but "Control Freak" would probably be more apt although my nickname in the office seems to have become "Uncle"!! (a song from South Park) I've been with the Company for quite a while and have fallen in love with it. I'm the opposite to Craig, I prefer to be in early before the sun rises to get the organisation for the day sorted before the others come in.....I don't like working on late, although these days it seems the norm. I am a perfectionist, driving everyone mad, even down to how stickers are put on our mailing envelopes (although intensive therapy is helping me with this)!! I like making plates as it keeps me in touch with what is going on, specialise in Imports (love Skylines, my partner is Secretary for the Skyline Owners Club and his car achieves 475bhp at the wheels, has has featured in Max Power, Banzai magazines and on some Santapod literature!!). I answer phones, do Artwork, take orders, give advice, manage staff, balance the urgent with important, basically prioritise the days work, make a good brew, help with Marketing and often act as PA to Craig! 2007 saw me quit smoking AND I haven't started again HOORAY!! With Angie joining our team I seem to have less to be controlling about as she has more than adequately filled my shoes and Lisa has started to boss Craig around on my behalf which is pleasing!!

Joanne Nickname.... Pending
Joanne has many hats, primarily she is our "Accounts Person" (and boy does she know her stuff about VAT, Sage and the Inland Revenue - it's scary!!!) She also makes our French and German die-pressed aluminium plates.  She has been with the Company since it began. We run all new ideas past Jo first, as she's the most sensible and grounded one of us all. OK sometimes we don't listen and keep trying to persuade her until she gives in, but you can't blame us for trying!! When she's not doing all that, she mans the phones, takes orders and processes orders that have not gone through correctly online!!

Susie Nickname "Dulux"
Susie is one of our acrylic and metal platemakers and has been with the Company since it began. Her skill is second to none, she doesn't just make a plate but she agonizes over getting it looking the best it can. She earnt her nickname by spilling paint in her local DIY store all down herself. Her husband wasn't going to let her get back in their car to go home! Her wit keeps our office bubbly and alive - no one has got the better of her yet!! Her dedication often keeps her here after hours; she never leaves until she is happy her job has been done. Susie is also a devoted Mum and Grandma (although I'm sure she'll make me take that bit out!!!) and is soon to be a Grandma all over again early next year!!

Norman Nickname "The Chief"
We all have a soft spot for Norman ("The Chief"), with his jokes and easy-going nature, he too has been with the Company since it began. He is primarily our "Pressed Metal Platemaker" you have to be strong to operate that thing!! Craig wouldn't allow a topless photo-shoot so you girlies have missed out seeing his six-pack and biceps!!! He is also a valuable member of our Marketing Team and keeps ideas in perspective. We don't let him answer the phones because he is currently Marketing his own Fish Gauge and we're pretty sure every customer he spoke to, would end up buying one just to get off the phone!!!

Lisa Nickname "The Destroyer"
Leesy has been with us nearly a year and is no longer our newest member. She is responsible for making bike, specialist and import plates and has taken to platemaking like a duck to water. She also mans the phones, makes copious amounts of tea and is a bit of a gary-girl at heart (well.... tinted windows, alloy wheels .... what else can it be?) She's very into her Scoobies and is the membership secretary of scoobycity She is friendly, helpful, conscientous, bossy, makes the best sausage rolls I've ever eaten and is a real joy to have in the office.  How did she get her nickname? In the space of a few days she broke an OKI printer, a DYMO printer, a plate roller and some chaps heart from Walthamstow!! She's got a very gorgeous little boy who keeps her busy when she's not working or running errands around Ipswich for Craig. At last we have a picci of Lisa to add to the site. Sadly it is not one that has been taken on the premises but beggars cannot be choosers.

Sandy Nickname "Mum"
Sandy is our "Quality Control Person" she checks all the orders before they are packed...and believe me NO ONE argues with her decision. She too has been with the Company since it began. She's our Health and Safety Rep, First Aider (when Craigs not here!) and manage stock control. Sandy is our Team Mum and you'll often find her sitting listening to our woes with a box of Kleenex in her hand, tidying up or bringing supplies in!

Angela Nickname "The Enforcer"
Angie has been with us for what seems like ages and is our "Chief Despatch Operative" and responsible for Ashley. OK, OK but it sounded better than "Packer"! She is also responsible for making all the self-adhesive plates, die pressed aluminium USA plates and the vinyl slogans for them.  Believe me, even a robot couldn't out perform our Angie. She's a perfectionist and has the earnt the nickname "Enforcer" Everyone cringes when she strides across the office with a plate in her hand she's not happy with!! Angie has revolutionised her department, she is fastidious, hard-working, has to be told to go home and is eager to keep on learning! We cannot imagine the place without her, she is a STAR!!! Angie bought her own horse at the beginning of 2007 called Cameo. When she's not working here and looking after her horse she can often be seen helping with neighbours gardening or cleaning the streets of her village.......how on earth does she manage it all?

Eke Nickname "The Muffin Man"
Eke (affectionately called "The Muffin Man") is our "Web Guru". What he doesn't know about websites is just not worth mentioning! He brightens our office with his cute giggle, is incredibly talented, patient and even tempered - which is a must considering the tough time he has working with us (we keep changing our mind so often)! He too is a perfectionist, to the point that even I have to say to him, "OK Eke, I don't think a one pixel error is really going to matter too much!!" He's been working with us for over a year and we wouldn't be without him (even if he does pinch all the Muffins!!)  I think maybe we have been pushing him too hard. His initial contract was to revamp a website, now he's revamping and maintaining over 10!!! Sadly Eke will be leaving us. We have driven him beyond the limits of human endurance, drugs and coping mechanisms. When he has trained up a replacement he will be gone........a sad day indeed!