Beverley Thody

Behind every product that leaves EMP Designs is a huge amount of organisation happening behind the scenes. Components need to be received, checked, stored, located, kitted, and ultimately supplied to manufacturing teams exactly when they're needed. For Beverley, that's all part of a normal day. Having been with EMP Designs since April 2023, Beverley plays a vital role in keeping materials flowing through the business, ensuring that production teams have everything they need to build products efficiently and on schedule.

 

Tell us about your role at EMP Designs.

My role involves receiving deliveries, checking everything against the delivery notes, and making sure the quantities we've received match what was ordered. Once everything has been checked, I book the items into our stock system and allocate them to the correct location. If parts are already assigned to a production assembly, I'll add them directly into the kit ready for manufacturing. If not, I'll find a storage location and update the inventory system so the parts can be found quickly when they're needed.

 

Why is stock location so important?

We hold thousands of different components in stock, from electronic parts to nuts, bolts, and consumables. Without a structured location system it would be almost impossible to find what you're looking for. Every component has a designated location, which means when someone needs a specific part, they can go straight to the correct shelf, box, or storage area and find it immediately. With so many different items in stock, keeping everything organised is essential.

 

What does kitting involve?

One of my main responsibilities is creating kits for our manufacturing team. When a new production job is released, I receive an assembly list that contains every component required to build that product. I then work through the list, collecting parts from their various locations and placing them into a kit box. Each kit is labelled and prepared for the next stage of manufacturing. Surface-mount components are supplied to the electronics production team, while through-hole components and other parts are prepared for assembly. The goal is to make sure the production teams have everything they need before they start building.

 

What happens when manufacturing is complete?

Once a product has been built, any unused components are returned to me and placed back into stock. Finished products are either stored in inventory or prepared for dispatch if there's a customer order waiting. Some customers collect directly from us, while others receive their orders via courier. In many ways, products pass through the stores department at both the beginning and end of their manufacturing journey.

 

How busy is a typical day?

Very busy! The challenge is that the day can change constantly. I might be in the middle of preparing a kit when a delivery arrives that needs checking and booking in. At the same time, members of the manufacturing team may need replacement components, additional parts for a prototype, or assistance locating stock. Because production schedules can change quickly, priorities often change throughout the day as well. I enjoy that pace, though. Every day is different and there's always something happening.

 

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I enjoy the variety. There's a lot more involved than people might expect. Alongside stock control and kitting, I also manage COSHH-related products, checking expiry dates, maintaining safety data sheets, and ensuring documentation is kept up to date. Every new product that comes into the business needs the correct safety information attached to it, so there's a lot of responsibility involved in keeping everything organised and compliant.

 

Have any projects stood out to you?

One of the most interesting aspects of the role is knowing where the components are ultimately going. Many of the kits I prepare are used in projects for film and television productions, which is always exciting. It's interesting knowing that the components you're handling will eventually become part of a prop, lighting system, or special effect used on screen. Although it's often difficult to spot the exact products when watching a film or television programme, it's rewarding to know you've played a part in helping bring those projects to life.

 

How does EMP Designs compare to previous places you've worked?

One of the biggest differences is the level of trust. There's a genuine trust between management and employees, which creates a very positive working environment. People are trusted to do their jobs and contribute to the business. The employee benefits and social events are also something I've really appreciated. They give everyone the opportunity to get to know each other outside of work, which helps create a strong team atmosphere.

 

How would you describe the culture at EMP Designs?

It's a friendly place to work. I genuinely enjoy coming into work each day, and everyone is approachable and willing to help each other. There's a strong sense of teamwork across the business, and that makes a big difference.

 

Finally, how would you describe EMP Designs in three words?

Friendly. Trusting. Enjoyable.