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 is a newer member 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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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 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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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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Dave Middleton
Technical Sales Director
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Having been within the plastics ancillary equipment market for over 30 years now, Dave has well-developed experience, a keen sense of adventure and an unresolved drive.
His aim to help simplify difficult processes whilst been able to always offer the best solution whatever this may be. Dave’s goal is to help Summits’ customers maintain their processing advantages by supplying the latest technologies as they become available and by being a point of contact for them when they need advice or assistance.
“Being a part of Summit systems allows me the opportunity to deliver all of the above which helps makes our industry stronger and more self-sustaining. With all of this being said above it comes down to being happy at work and being allowed to develop which is what Summit is all about!”
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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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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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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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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! -
Darren Britt
Technical Sales Engineer
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Darren, a fairly new member of the Summmit sales team, is originally from The Sunshine State – Florida. He was an owner of a plastic injection mould making and moulding company for around 25 years.
Darren fancied a change and moved over to the UK, joining Summit as a Technical Sales Director for the Southern region of the UK.
Outside of work, Darren loves to ski and mountain bike as much a possible with his kids, although he struggles to keep up with his sons as they are professionals in downhill mountain biking and BMX!
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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. -
Richard Dean
Service Manager
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Rich started out his working life as a Pneumatics and Hydraulics engineer, completing his ONC in technical engineering, before moving into an automation role building special purpose machinery for Automotive and telecoms. Rich then moved in to the automotive industry as a maintenance engineer completing his HNC in Mechatronics, before moving through the ranks to become a Facilities and Maintenance Manager for several years before Joining Summit Systems in 2012.
His role as Service Manager allows him to work closely with Summits suppliers & customers to ensure they get the best service & efficiency out of their equipment to keep their own customers supported.
Outside of work, Rich is a very keen golfer – attempting to maintain his single cap handicap. Having represented Worcestershire County at Junior Colts level moving into the B & A Team, he is now striving to make the Seniors County team.
Interesting fact: Rich played in a Junior team Golf event with a team mate who went on to become a European Tour Player winning the 2006 French Open at Le Golf National!
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Rob Pritchard
Sales Engineer TPC
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Rob’s engineering career began with an electrical / electronic engineering apprenticeship in a welding and automation company, moving into sales at the end of the fifth year training programme. A few years later, he joined a well-established British chiller and TCU manufacturer which launched his career down the process water cooling path. Rob has since worked for several process cooling companies as regional sales manager, product manager and sales director – dealing with individual chiller sales and large-scale turnkey installations.
Rob’s experience in the plastics industry covers all sectors and he has a keen focus on energy conservation and system reliability.Rob joined Summit in 2019, allowing him to continue his career delivering the best available process cooling solutions to customers, many of whom he has dealt with for multiple years.
Outside of work, Rob enjoys the great outdoors, spending time with his family walking and exploring the great British Countryside.
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Mike Gallagher
Total Process Cooling Ltd
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Mikes career began at heating company, as young boy fresh from school! It took 5 years of experience before he officially became an engineer. From here, he worked with various manufacturers/suppliers of heat transfer equipment. Mike saw his first refrigeration unit in 1986 (not a domestic fridge!). In 1991 Total Process Cooling Ltd. was established with a concept to solve engineering cooling problems without reinventing the wheel. Working in partnership with customers, they shared knowledge of applications, problems and solutions. In December 2018, Total Process Cooling joined Summit Systems to assist their cooling division. A like-minded company who solved problems in partnership with customers. This was a long overdue move by TPC who are now offering cooling solutions to both existing and new customers of Summit-TPC.
Time out is important to everyone and for Mike, this mainly involves being with family, reading a good book, doing DIY or getting frustrated on the golf course. He also still thinks he’s still 25 years old as he’s signed up to this third sprint triathlon this year. Good luck Mike!!
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Richard Smith
Total Process Cooling Ltd
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Richard has been involved the cooling industry since the very start of his career. Richard spent his first few years in sales for cooling towers, before becoming the sales director for a further 10 years. After this, Richard took on a new challenge and created his own Air Blast Cooling company but, in this time, he stumbled across Total Process Cooling and became a director, and has been for 16 years now! Richard moved to the Summit offices in 2018, when Summit acquired Total Process Cooling. His role within the cooling division involves building the temperature control business by driving sales, managing projects and heading up the technical department.
Outside of work, Richard shows his creative/artistic flair by writing, recording, playing music and guess what… he has a band! One Week Later – click if you want to check it out! He also has a sporty side, enjoying badminton, tennis, the gym…. and the odd bit of astronomy.
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Steve Takle
Refrigeration Engineer TPC
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Steve recently joined summit in a completely new role as ‘Industrial Refrigeration Engineer’ for Summit TPC, the process cooling division of Summit.
Steve has worked in engineering since leaving school, 8 years of which was spent maintaining helicopters for the Royal Navy.
After leaving the forces Steve started a new career in refrigeration with 12 years of experience working on a variety of different systems and applications.Steve is excited to work for Summit TCP, starting up the cooling division and driving it forward to be customer focused, offering effective preventative maintenance and repairs to minimise down time.
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Megs Jordan
Marketing Manager
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Wade Grindley
Automation Engineer
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From an early age Wade has been fascinated in fixing or modifying toys and bicycles. This interest led Wade to a hobby in electronics and computer programming, making various gadgets from rain detectors to infra-red remote controls.
Wade’s career started as an electric engineer for a 1st tier automotive supplier, working on plant maintenance and improvements. He later progressed to the technical department, designing a new plant supervisor, Paint Shop Control System and various machine controls. In the next phase of his career, Wade designed bespoke control panels for plastic extruder refits and VSD drive panels up 160kW. He also carried out energy surveys for lighting installations and water pump control panels.
He joined the Summit team in 2018, primarily to develop their supervisory system. Integrating all of the products to an Industry 4.0 user interface: Summit Vision and Summit IOT.
Outside of Wades technical hub, his interests include listening to music, playing badminton, squash, family outings on bikes and going to music gigs.
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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.
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Jem Hudson
IoT Product Manager