This week in our “5 Questions with…” series, we put the spotlight on Addie Kendall from our Manufacturing Operations team. Addie is a fairly new starter at Gill and shares her experience so far, what she enjoys most about the role, and what keeps her inspired both at work and beyond.
Q.1 – What excites you most about Gill and your role here?
I joined Gill three months ago and I’m really enjoying it so far. Every day is an opportunity to use my skills but also learn something new. I’m part of the product line team, and the role is really helping me expand my knowledge. I’ve always been interested in electronics, learning new things, and asking questions, and here I genuinely get the chance to do that.
I’ve learned a lot already, more than I expected to in such a short time. I’ve worked in manufacturing before, but at Gill I’ve been able to see the product really come to life, which makes the work much more interesting. I also feel your ideas are listened to, which is important to me.
Q.2 – You’ve been in this industry for many years – what keeps it interesting for you?
Although I’ve worked on a manufacturing production line before, it was a very different environment. Here, I’m much more involved in preparing the product and helping to solve issues as they come up. It’s not just about getting something out of the door. You can see the finished product and feel a real sense of pride and achievement in what you’ve contributed.
Q.3 – How do you see the industry changing in the next five years?
I can see Gill continuing to grow as a company and expanding into new markets. Even in the short time I’ve been here, I’ve already seen small changes within the team that have helped make the production line more efficient, and I think that focus on improvement will only continue.
Q.4 – Who has inspired you the most in your career, and what did you learn from them?
I have a close friend I’ve known for over 10 years who really inspires me. He’s an amazing photographer, and I admire how deeply he immerses himself in his work while still maintaining a good balance with his social life.
Q.5 – Tell us something about yourself that might surprise us.
This might not be much of a surprise, but I’m also a photographer, although not at a fully professional level like my friend. I got into it by chance at a friend’s wedding when someone handed me their camera and told me I had a good eye. Since then, I’ve done some photography for festivals and other weddings.
I always enjoyed art at school and still do, and I just wish I could find more time to focus on it. However, would I enjoy it as much if it were a job and not a hobby?
