Meet the Committee

Richard Hird, UK Sales Director of Labotek GB Ltd

President
Richard has been in the industry for almost 40 years and started out as a lab technician at Cole Plastics (now Basell Polyolefins). Currently UK Sales Director at Labotek GB Ltd, as well as President of the PMMDA.

Richard leads a busy life coaching PAN-disability football and match day co-ordinating for the National Cerebal Palsy football league. He really enjoys seeing others achieving something that they thought was impossible.

Running is also one of Richard’s passions and he has often been seen running various marathons for charity, these days it’s a necessity as a few trots around block allow for those little indulgences 🙂

Dave Raine, Director Sumitomo Demag (SHI) UK Ltd

Chairman
Dave is a colourful character who knows everyone and has the energy of a small child, having been on the committee since March 2019 Dave recently picked up the position of Chairman and his intention is to grow PMMDA considerably during his ‘reign’

Having been in the industry for 40+ years Dave has a knowledge and experience of the industry in all areas and knows most of what’s going on.

A lover of all ‘outdoor’ activities Dave spends a lot of his down time with family, walking and playing squash as well as team sports…

Matthew Ross, Sales Director, Summit Systems Ltd

Deputy Chairman
Sales Director of Summit Systems for the last 3 years and working at Summit for the last 7 Matt has been in the industry for over 21 years, starting life as an apprentice maintenance engineer at Mahle Filter Systems in Telford.

Matt joined the committee in 2021 and is brave enough to have taken on the deputy chairman role.

Matt is a family man and cherishes time with the kids whether it’s on the side of a rugby pitch, spectating at horse riding or family holidays. When he does have some spare time Matt can be found on the golf course enjoying some down time.

Nick Fox, Managing Director of Piovan UK Ltd

Committee Member
Nick has a wealth of knowledge in the plastics industry, starting as an apprentice more than 40 years ago he has worked his way through injection moulding production, sales and then into management. Nick was appointed in 2005 to head-up Piovan UK as part of a strategy to have wholly owned branches globally and since then the Piovan Group has grown almost 10 fold in sales… and still growing.

Nick has a strong belief in apprenticeships and whole heartedly believes that this transfer of knowledge, skills and experience is imperative for the future of the industry, expressing his support at every opportunity he is a valid member of the committee and has been for the last 7 years.

These days Nick has swapped the ski slopes for a more gentle form of sport and does less skiing and more cycling.

Michael Craig, Area Sales Manager, BMB UK Ltd

Committee Member
Working initially as a technical service engineer Michael has many years experience and technical knowledge in the moulding industry, moving into the technical sales side over 15 years ago and becoming Sales Manager of UK and Ireland for BMB Spa just over 4 years ago.

Joining us as a member of the committee in February 2021 Michael particularly enjoys the Karting activity days and racing anything with an engine.

Chris Stafford, Sales Operations Manager, Engel (UK) Ltd

Committee Member
Having been in the industry all of his working life Chris started an apprenticeship with a medical moulder and 14 years on has still not managed to escape the industry but he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Chris Has been with Engel UK for over 5 years now, two of which he spent travelling around all of the production plants in Austria, China, Korea, Mexico and the USA.

A keen snowboarder and a scuba diving instructor Chris loves the outdoors, away from the office he enjoys getting away in the campervan as often as possible and riding his Suzuki Trike (he appears to have a thing for 3 wheels as he also owns a Reliant Robin).

Karen Osborne, Director at Mouldshop Ltd

Committee Member
Karen is one of the newest members of the committee only joining in 2023, having been at Mouldshop for over 20 years she has a good knowledge of the industry as a whole.

Used to working with a team Karen should be a good fit for the committee, hoping to bring something to the table she is not without her own opinions and is looking forward to being part of the team in moving the association forward.

Socially, travelling is her passion and it is her intention, on retiring, to go on world cruise, of course this takes a back seat to family and grandchildren so she may never actually make it to the ship 🙂

Nikki Williams

PMMDA Committee Secretary
Nikki for her sins has worked for the PMMDA since May 2008, leaving only for a short period of time before being lured back in to the plastics industry by what she terms as ‘the nicest bunch of people she has ever worked with’.

Loving the job that she does Nikki’s favourite task is organising the events and activity days, liasing with members and non-members alike at these events, most of whom are now old friends she has known for many years.

As if that’s not enough, in her spare time Nikki is a very busy nanny to 4 beautiful grandchildren who keep her from getting bored.