COMPANY NEWS
A TEMPORARY JOB HELPING TO MOVE STOCK AT A PLUMBERS’ MERCHANT HAS EVOLVED INTO A LIFELONG CAREER FOR PTS IRELAND REGIONAL DIRECTOR KEN KINKEAD…
Celebrating 40 years in the plumbing and heating industry
As a young man, Ken Kinkead had set his sights on following his father into bricklaying, but it didn’t quite work out that way. Recession in the early 1980s had left construction jobs in short supply and so, on May 7, 1984, Ken headed to a plumbers’ merchant on the Grosvenor Road in Belfast, where he had picked up a few days’ work helping to move stock. The merchant was Spendlove C Jebb, a family- run business established in 1968 and acquired by leading UK plumbing and heating supplier Plumbing Trade Supplies (PTS) in 2006. Back then Ken would not have guessed that 40 years later, he would still be with the business but in a senior management role, having overseen its expansion to include seven branches across Ireland supported by a regional distribution centre. “Little did I know that 40 years on, I would still be making my daily commute to Grosvenor Road,” said Ken. “Along the way I have met many inspirational characters who have left a lasting impression on me and helped me on my journey. “To the original Spendlove C Jebb business and the Jebb family, thank you for giving me the opportunity to be part of this wonderful industry. To suppliers, customers and colleagues past and present, and friends, thank you all for the support over the last 40 years. What a wonderful industry to be part of, with
so many opportunities.” Ken’s progression into his current role was gradual, with those first few days shifting stock evolving into general duties in Spendlove C Jebb’s warehouse and a stint as a delivery driver. A few years followed in the stock ordering and administration side of the business, before he was offered the opportunity to get out on the road as a sales representative. It was a role in which Ken thrived and soon he was tendering for contracts, including a successful bid to supply plumbing materials to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) in 2000. Ken went on to manage the prestigious NIHE contract and, in 2006, when PTS acquired the Jebb family business, he secured a promotion to oversee its three branches in NI. Under his stewardship, PTS rolled out its island-of- Ireland presence to branches in Belfast Grosvenor Road, Belfast Duncrue, Lisburn, Enniskillen, Derry/ Londonderry, Newry and Dublin, with a central distribution centre in Lisburn. Over the years, Ken’s interests and hobbies have included cycling, travelling, hosting golf days for customers and fundraising for charities including Cancer Fund for Children. And throughout the four decades, he has also maintained a passion for his job. “I was lucky enough to be given the opportunities to
Ken Kinkead, PTS Ireland Regional Director.
“What a wonderful industry to be part of, with so many opportunities.”
gradually progress to my present position,” said Ken. “It hasn’t really been a regular nine-to-five job; there are long hours involved but I enjoy the work and have no complaints. “It’s always been like that, when you’re behind the scenes keeping things moving. It has been
challenging, but the day you don’t enjoy the challenge is the day you need to go. “I am grateful to be in this position and it’s not just about the work, it’s about the people you meet, many of whom have become friends outside of work.” T: +44 (0)28 9027 1600 www.ptsireland.co.uk
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PLUMBING & HEATING MAGAZINE | 15
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