The TBS Journey – TBS Engineering

We take immense pride in the remarkable accomplishments of our team members. Many have embarked on the TBS Apprenticeship, embracing ongoing growth and skill development.

Explore their inspiring personal journeys below.

Global Service Manager

Dan Parker-Gage

I’ve been part of the TBS family since 2011, and during this time, I’ve witnessed the remarkable growth driven by the industry’s high demand. TBS invested in my career development, offering diverse opportunities to enhance my skills, both commercially and operationally. The company sponsored my participation in leadership training and project management courses, working closely with me to plan my future educational and career path.

My journey at TBS began in Customer Services as a Spares Sales Executive, where I engaged with key customers in the USA, China, and Europe. Building strong relationships through site visits and regular contact, I deepened my knowledge of our equipment, parts, supply chain, and the battery manufacturing industry. I contributed to complex projects, including the development and testing of new MRP software and the establishment of TBS’s Kutztown office in Pennsylvania, USA.

As I continued to grow within the company, I transitioned to a Technician Support Coordinator, gaining insights into the operational side of the business. Today, I hold the position of Global Service Manager in the Aftermarket Division, focusing on transforming our leadership team’s vision and strategy into reality. Our collaborative efforts have led to the establishment of distribution centres in Mexico, Europe, and India.

Mechanical Designer

William Davis

My journey with TBS kicked off in September 2017 when I decided to veer away from the traditional academic path and opt for a hands-on apprenticeship. In the first year, I was predominantly at the apprentice college, dedicating one day to theory and four days to practical work at TBS, even working during half-term breaks.

My second year had me back at TBS, where I joined the HITEK fitters on the shop floor before briefly transitioning to the tooling fitting/assembly team. Eventually, I moved into the design office, all while continuing my education with one day of theory at college, ultimately completing my NVQ qualification.

The third and fourth years saw me continue my journey in the design office, balancing four days at TBS and one day at college, this time pursuing my HNC qualification. The onset of Covid led to remote work and online courses for my HNC qualification. During this time, I was asked to return to the office to support machine builds at TBS, maintaining my office role during the pandemic.

Unfortunately, a hiccup required me to redo a portion of my first year of HNC, extending the qualification to three years instead of two. After completing my HNC qualification, I became a full-time TBS employee, embarking on international customer visits and, this September, commencing an HND course, blending theory and practical work.

Choosing the apprenticeship route at TBS provided me with a holistic understanding of the company, spanning from shop floor work to designing machines. I believe this path has equipped me with a well-rounded skill set and a more profound understanding than a purely academic route would have offered.

Service Technician

Carl Goldsmith

My journey at TBS began in 2014 when I joined as one of the second batch of apprentices. For the first 2-3 years, I divided my time between college and TBS, focusing on fitting and machining. While initially drawn to the machine shop, I soon found it repetitive and not quite to my liking. A shift to the fitting shop under the HITEK team marked a turning point, and there I spent approximately 7 years. During this period, I connected with numerous colleagues and amassed knowledge about our machines and industry.

In 2018, an incredible opportunity took me to China for 3 weeks, sparking my desire to become a technician. Over the next couple of years, I actively engaged in projects in Mexico, America, and Algeria, learning invaluable lessons along the way. With a thirst for more knowledge, I diligently worked towards a technician role. Two years later, my efforts paid off, and I began working alongside the technicians. My passion for the job drives me to aim for the ability to set up and run all machines that TBS manufactures.

Health and Safety & Environmental Manager

Darren White

In September 2008, just before my 21st birthday, I learned about TBS through Omega Recruitment. With a background in fitting and a toolbox brimming with tools, I was promptly asked when I could start. A mere week later, I joined the team at one of the first factories TBS used in Elmstone Hardwicke, Cheltenham.

I dedicated several years to mastering the product range’s build process, from speed shift, COS, and Hi-Tek machines to crafting tooling for battery production. My ambition led me to undertake additional training, such as forklift operation and night classes in Tig and Mig welding at Glos Cat College while working on the COS section.

In 2017, the Health and Safety Manager, Colin Marshal, offered me the role of Health and Safety Officer, which I enthusiastically accepted. This role required me to earn the IOSH Managing Safely qualification. In 2018, as TBS moved to our current location, I was promoted to Team Leader Mechanical Assemblies and Health and Safety Officer. During this time, I led a team of fitters in building new versions of old machines, which were far from the usual builds.

When our Health and Safety Manager took voluntary redundancy, I saw an opportunity for career advancement at TBS. With the support of Richard Taylor, our MD (Group director at the time), I enrolled in the Nebosh National General Certificate and was promoted to Health, Safety, and Environment Manager in June 2022.

Since then, I’ve earned the Nebosh Environmental Management Certificate and the Nebosh Certificate in Fire Safety, both vital for my role. Currently, I’m working on the IOSH Train the Trainer course to enhance my training delivery skills. I’m also on my way to becoming a Tech IOSH, an affiliate member of IOSH, and I’m steadily progressing through my 3-year development cycle.