27 February, 2026 | Category: News, The PCC Team
In Conversation with Gary Thorne
We sit down for an “In Conversation” with Gary, who recently celebrated 16 years at PCC. Here’s Premier People volume four with Production Manager, Gary Thorne.
Gary has worked for Premier Coating & Converters for almost all his adult life. Joining in 2009, Gary started his first role working on one of our coating lines.
Starting as a teen, he worked built up his versatility as a Production Operative, working on coating and slitting machines. In effect, learning how to operate every single machine in the factory. Gary built his skills under the tutelage of Peter MacDonald (former Production Manager), for just over a decade and has shown his capabilities for years. Gary also did well to build relationships with the laboratory and the office team to ensure those relations were strong, prior to the move up.
He has been in the role for just over five years. He has earned the respect of the team on the shop floor, because of his friendly nature and awareness of the jobs in hand. He now operates between a computer screen and the shopfloor and is very much on hand when required on the shop floor for guidance and assistance when required. Every job or project that comes through the door and ends up on our Office Manager Kia’s desk, is handed to Gary, who then orchestrates the weeks plan ahead. Ensuring products are scheduled on machines when required, as well as being a leader to the production team.
“When we knew that Pete was looking to step down from being Production Manager and heading towards retiring, it was up to the management team to choose a successor who could follow in his footsteps. He (Pete) set the example to the team for decades. So, we needed someone to take the role on who had a similar outlook. Gary is a reliable and knowledgeable member of the team and has been for so long, He felt like the perfect choice to make the step up.
On a personal level, I’ve watched him grow from a teenager to an adult here, it’s been great to see him grow as a human being as well as a leader in the management team.
Gary knew what was expected of him when stepping up. He’s maintained professional and personal relations with the team whilst transitioning into management. It’s credit to him (Gary) for building up his experience and taking on the reins of the factory floor with ease. He’s organised, assertive, clear with his peers and is always on hand when the team on the floor need assistance.
He has made the role his own, and we’re all very proud of his achievements to date.”
– Bruce Paddy, Technical & Operations Director.
Gary, you’ve been in the business for over 16 years, you’ve almost worked your whole adult life at PCC. How did it all start for you here?
I was referred by a friend who used to work here, he knew I was after a job at the time. He called me on the Friday morning to discuss; I came in that day for an interview and started as a Production Operative on the following Monday. It was quick! But looking back, it was great to get started in that way.
Do you have any memories across the last decade and a half that stick out?
I would say that being asked to be Production Manager was a huge highlight. Knowing that I would be given the backing to take on the role was great. As well as being aware of the responsibility being given to me from the management here. Like I mentioned, starting here as an 18-year-old, I wouldn’t have envisioned taking on the floor back then. However, I’m very proud of how far I’ve come working here. It’s great to be part of that professional pathway, where you work hard enough to be recognised.
Last year you moved into your role as Production Manager, you run the whole shop floor. How have you found the challenge of taking on the floor?
Some days can be testing. It’s the nature of the shop floor. We’re known for our high-quality products, so when things don’t go 100% right, we assess the situation together. We all want to make sure that the products that we dispatch are to the highest standard. That’s the key, knowing that the team understand the importance of what we do.
What would you say is the most challenging part of your role?
Sometimes when we are testing and trialling new products, it can be a challenge. We work carefully with the lab team to make sure we produce to the customers requirements. We’re very resilient when it comes to creating something new. But it’s an enjoyable process. At the end of the day, you’re working with people, whether that’s internally or externally, understanding both of their needs is really what leads to us doing well.
How have you adapted to being part of the management team?
Pete was a massive help in showing me how to manage the shop floor, and everyone has been so supportive. I’ve been in the role over for over five years now. One of the things I think has gone well, is that because it was a promotion and not me starting a new job in a new company, I already knew everyone. So, relationships were already there.
What are you looking forward to in the future (this can be the inside and outside of the business)?
I’m looking forward to the new changes that are being made here, with a new MIS system for the shop floor. It’ll be a learning curve, but we’re looking forward to that challenge. Hopefully helping to expand the business even further.
You’re a big sports fan, who was your sporting idol growing up?
Growing up I loved my sport, playing pretty much anything. I regularly played darts growing up and was sponsored by Unicorn when I was 18. But my first love was always football. I’m a Saints fan, but I would say my idol was Steven Gerrard.
