Meet Linda: The Driving Force Behind Ritchie’s Workshop
Linda, our Workshop Manager, runs a busy yet supremely organised operation at Ritchie. When we stopped by her office for a chat, it was a hive of activity: a bit like Piccadilly Circus! With a steady stream of people coming and going, it’s a wonder she bothers shutting the door at all. But despite the fast pace, one thing is clear: Linda thrives in this environment, keeping everything running smoothly with precision and skill.
Linda’s Journey to Workshop Manager
Linda’s passion for mechanics started early. As a child, she loved spending time in the garage with her father, a mechanic, tinkering with cars and figuring out how things worked. With a family history in skilled trades (her grandfather was a blacksmith) it seems engineering was in her blood. But before stepping into manufacturing, Linda’s career path was anything but straightforward.
Her first job after school was in a cannery, but she soon transitioned to nannying while funding her own education through evening classes. She completed a City & Guilds course and later worked as a chef before making a significant career shift into manufacturing.
Linda joined Ross and Bonnyman as a spot welder, moving to robotic welders then MIG welding where she discovered a real passion for welding. As part of a team of nine women fabricating and welding Roll Pallet Cages, her skills developed rapidly. Soon earning her a promotion to Night Shift Chargehand. However, when the Roll Pallet Division shut down, she pivoted to brazing wheelchair parts. A role that wasn’t her favourite but expanded her technical abilities.
One of Linda’s most enjoyable jobs was welding lorry tail lifts for Ross and Bonnyman, a role she remembers fondly. But with company ownership changes creating uncertainty, she was ready for new challenges: ones that ultimately prepared her for leadership at Ritchie.
From Coded Welder to Workshop Manager
To advance her career, Linda took night classes in aluminium and TIG welding, funding her own training. At Ritchie, she worked with double-headed welding robots and became a coded welder. Her expertise led her to a key role in a major Calor project, and before long, she stepped into the position of Workshop Manager.
What Does Linda’s Role at Ritchie Involve?
As Workshop Manager, Linda is at the heart of Ritchie’s manufacturing operations. She oversees daily production, ensuring efficiency, quality, and safety. Managing a team of welders, fabricators, and machinists, she coordinates workloads, sets production targets, and troubleshoots technical issues. She also ensures equipment is maintained, enforces health and safety regulations, and optimises workflows to meet deadlines. Collaboration is key to her role, as she works closely with Quality Assurance, Operations, and Shipping to keep everything running seamlessly.
The Best and Most Challenging Parts of the Job
When asked about the most rewarding and challenging aspects of her role, Linda shared that she enjoys the fast-paced nature of the job and the relationships she’s built along the way.
Some might expect challenges in managing a male dominated industry, but for Linda, it has never been an issue. She embraces the challenge with confidence, saying:
“I love the buzz of being busy and managing hectic schedules. If there’s lots to do, I’m happy and enjoy my work.”
Linda’s supportive and knowledgeable approach allows her to tackle challenges head-on, preventing small issues from turning into bigger problems. With her varied background, strong leadership, and passion for keeping production flowing, Linda plays a vital role in the success of Ritchie’s manufacturing operations.
If you’d like to read more stories about women in STEM, welding and manufacturing roles click HERE.