Meet the Team
We have a fantastic team at Summit Systems, take the time to get to know them all by clicking on their images below.
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Mike Jordan
Managing Director
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Mike founded Summit Systems in 1989 after 10 years working in the plastics industry. Mike’s experience lies within manufacturing, up from tool setting to running an injection moulding company before setting up Summit. Mike is passionate about technology, the plastics industry and loves solving problems. In his spare time, Mike enjoys winter sports, windsurfing with his 3 kids and coaching the local rugby team – having played himself since the age of 9.
Mikes ambition has been, and continues to keep Summit the most innovative and customer focused supplier within the industry.
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Ian Lowe
Operations Director
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Ian joined Summit back in 1995, having finished University and entered the final stages of journalist training.
Mike, who certainly does things differently, asked Ian to join his team having liked his work ethic during years spent gardening for him and others to pay his way through his education.
Within a month, Ian had taken control of the purchasing and soon after added warehouse and distribution to his role. 23 years on, and almost the last decade as a Director, Ian’s focus is to maintain Summit’s high service standards and always work with a few laughs along the way, amongst the team, suppliers and most importantly customers.
Outside work, Ian’s hours are short – especially with 3 young boys! Ian’s main pastime is to watch the claret & blue of Birmingham most weeks, and disappear up to the Llyn for as much of the outside life he can grab, either stomping or kayaking around the coast.
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Colin Walters
Financial Director
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Colin’s one of the newest members of Summit, joining the team in April 2017. Colin was appointed Financial Director having previously held senior Financial and Commercial Directorship roles in a variety of businesses operating in Manufacturing, Distribution and Logistics. Colin is (unfortunately!) responsible for all things financial at Summit.
Outside of work, Colin enjoys his sunny holidays usually with his family and friends and hopefully with his golf clubs or walking with his dogs. Sport really makes him tick, both playing and watching.
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Jayne Sands
Internal Sales Development Manager
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Over the last 30 years Jayne has enjoyed working in many Sales roles.
Jayne is one of our longest serving employees at Summit, joining over 23 years ago. Recently moving from Customer Services Supervisor and Sales Operations Manager to Internal Sales Development Manager, this is a new challenge for Jayne which she’s very much looking forward to.
Out of work, her main focus is her daughter… along with preparing for her 100 mile bike ride in July!
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Neil Watton
Technical Manager
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Neil began his career as an apprentice in the aerospace industry, however after a year of travelling around South America, he returned with the decision to move into the plastics industry. 26 years later, Neil has found his way to Summit Systems as Technical Manager! He has had an incredible journey, gaining a vast amount of knowledge and making some very good friends along the way.
Neil’s previous roles have varied, working with major players within the industry on installations, service, technical support and aftercare.
As Technical Manager at Summit, Neil runs the technical department as well as supporting the sales team when necessary. His main duties include preparing, scheduling and coordinating the assigned engineering projects. Neil interacts with customers daily to interpret their needs and requirements, while representing Summit out in the field. Neil is also a key technical support for Summit Chilled, the new temperature control division of Summit Systems.In his spare time, Neil can be found soaking up the sun abroad with his wife and kids or watching his no.1 team Wolverhampton Wanderers.
“I believe that persistence allows me to keep taking action, even when I don’t feel motivated to do so, and therefore I keep accumulating results. Persistence will ultimately provide its own motivation. If I simply keep taking action, I WILL eventually get results, and results can be very motivating.”
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Jason Culleton
Independent Technical Sales Engineer
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Jason began his career in the Injection moulding industry as a qualified toolmaker and draughtsman, eventually becoming a Technical Sales Engineer within the temperature sector. Nearly 20 years ago Jason started his role at Summit and now covers a huge part of the UK market.
A huge Leicester Tigers fan, Jason is a husband and father of 5 children (AKA a taxi driver!)
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Steve Trainor
Northern Technical Sales Engineer
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With over 27 years of experience with Summit Systems, you could say he’s just about getting his feet under the desk!! Steve has a wealth of knowledge across all types of plastics ancillary equipment and possess experience to recommend the perfect system for your shop floor whether it be a dryer, doser, blender or anything else!
Outside of work, Steve’s a family man and spends most of his time listening to radio 2, pretending to be good at football and not sleeping! -
Simon Woods
Technical Sales Engineer
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Simon began his career in plastics back in the late 80’s where started as an apprentice for a manufacturer of laboratory testing equipment. It didn’t take him long to find his feet and became a sales manager in no time. From here, Simon moved to a world leading company in Measurement and Control equipment for the Extrusion industry, then eventually found his way to Summit just over 20 years ago!
As a Technical Sales Engineer, Simon is responsible for developing and maintaining our customers in the East of England.
Outside of work Simon is a keen adventurer, recently embarking on a family trip to Vietnam with his wife and 2 children. He’s a keen sportsman, mountain biking, skiing, golf to name a few. He’s a Leeds United supporter but also follows Premiership and England rugby.
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Bryon Mancer
Technical Sales Engineer
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Interested in all things technical from an early age, it was an obvious choice for Byron to choose a career in manufacturing. Byron started his career working on high end military installations, before moving on to become an engineer in the plastics industry – focusing on the blow moulding and injection moulding sectors. Byron developed his role into sales, becoming Regional Sales Manager for a very established ancillary supplier.
Byron joined Summit in 2018 allowing him to continue his career doing what he loves, as well as interacting with customers – another passion of his. Byron hopes to use his past experience to help customers overcome any industry challenges they may face.
Away from work, Byron spends as much time as possible with his wife and two sons. He has a passion for motorcycles and anything that goes fast – secret adrenaline junkie!
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Matthew Ross
Technical Sales Engineer
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Matt started working life as an apprentice trained maintenance engineer for a tier 1 automotive injection moulding company, then moved on to become a service engineer for an ancillary company within the plastics industry. After a challenge, Matt decided to move into the world of technical sales where he worked for a process temperature control company, before joining Summit in July 2016 as technical sales engineer. Matt’s main role is to ensure customers have a technically sound solution for their ancillary needs, whether this be on a single machine or completely automating their factory.
Outside of work Matt is a lover of most sports, mainly rugby, however since retiring he has now turned to golf. Matt’s a family man and loves to travel, taking in the local cuisine with Italian food being his favourite. If Matt’s not working, you’ll most likely find him abroad somewhere on a stag do!
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Steve Tranter
Business Development Manager
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Steve (aka Trants) started his early career in electronic security, progressing on to the fluid power industry for five years working internally from administration level through to technical sales. Steve’s experience within the automation, plastic and various other industries grew rapidly.
In 2016, Summit welcomed Steve to the team – his sense of humour and presence in the office never goes unnoticed! His role focuses mainly on establishing new business around the UK and Ireland and introducing them to Summit wide range of products and services.
Outside of work Steve’s a family man, spending as much time with his wife and children as possible. He also enjoys the occasional beer with his mates, swimming and playing pool.
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John Webster
Service Manager
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John started his career in the Military, as a welder and combat engineer. From there, he moved to the Automotive industry where he spend 15 years as a team leader specialising in Robotics, PLCs and Automation.
John then spent a further 7 years as an Engineering Supervisor in the Paper Recycling Sector before finding a place at Summit, where he’s responsible for overseeing installations and planned maintenance. John’s also responsible for facilitating our unique 24/7, 365 emergency call-out service.As much as he loves his work, John’s a family man and loves spending time with his son watching sport and mountain biking.
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Richard West
Product Manager: Summit Chilled
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Richard joined Summit Systems in August 2017 after emerging from the Royal Navy where he worked as an electrical engineer. Richards’ got strong knowledge in chilled water and temperature control, after working in the sector for over 8 years, with an additional 10+ years working in customer sales.
Richard’s role within Summit is to head up our new division, Summit Chilled. This involves looking after existing customers as well as finding new opportunities. Richard works closely with our manufacturing partners, Frigel, ensuring Summit Chilled brings the most up to date and energy efficient product to the market.
Outside of work, he enjoys the outdoor life, taking the kids swimming and socialising with family and friends. He’s partial to the odd beer or two and loves top quality grub!
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Alan Maher
Warehouse Manager
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Alan is one of Summit’s longest reigning employees, joining in April 1996!
He came to Summit with a strong background in retail and sales. As the warehouse manager Alan spends his days supervising the warehouse, maintaining health and safety in the work place and general maintenance.
Alan’s hobbies and interests outside of work include travelling, socialising with family & friends and reading.
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Craig Ramsell
Fabrications Manager
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Craig started his career as a fabricator/welder fabricating gates, railing, rolling gated and floating balconies etc. He worked his way up to specialist fabrications, R&D and then joined Summit as the fabrication manager at the start of 2017, a new and very exciting challenge. Craig oversees the daily running of the fabrications department, ensuring all work is completed on time and of course, to the very highest of standards while promoting health and safety in the workplace.
In his spare time Craig enjoys spending time with his three sons, as well as enjoying some down-time at the gym.