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Steve Thomson will become Managing Director of ARBURG Ltd. on December 1, 2025. With a strong pedigree in the moulding industry, Steve has a vision for the company’s future that prioritises customer satisfaction, training and communication. Recognising the challenges faced by customers, particularly in staffing, his top priority is to provide the support and solutions needed to navigate these difficulties.
As machine technologies, automation, ancillaries, and digital solutions proliferate, moulding companies need more support. “This is a real trend of the last two to three years – customers want their machines to work harder, need more technical support and now want digital solutions,” Steve says. “Aftersales service and optimisation are growth areas, and we aim to be number one for this in the UK and Ireland. I want to create a new buzz around the ARBURG brand.”
Part of Steve's leadership will be to focus on building a team that shares his commitment to enhancing customer experience and to match that with staff knowledge. He believes that ARBURG’s longstanding reputation for reliable and dependable machinery should be mirrored by the support and skills within his team. This alignment will be crucial as customers grapple with various operational challenges, including skills shortages and high energy costs.
Connections between departments are being reinforced. “Historically, sales and after-sales (service/spares) have operated separately. That is changing,” adds Alex Gall, After Sales Manager. “We want to create a stronger connection between these areas so we can provide the best possible support to our customers – that is my primary focus.”
The new all-electric TREND machine, launched at the K Show in October, is a perfect match for the customer-focused strategy. Available ex-works from just four weeks, this new machine is designed with cost effectiveness, ease of use and ease of maintenance in mind, addressing the skills and labour challenges – see New TREND responds to customers story.
For improved operational efficiency, ARBURG Ltd. will implement a new CRM system in early 2026, streamlining quotation and order processing. This investment aligns with Steve's commitment to creating a buzz around the ARBURG brand in the UK, as he believes the company has been too reserved in communicating its leadership in machinery and digital technologies.
ARBURG continues to manufacture all its machines for the European market at its global headquarters in Lossburg, Germany. “Our heritage and vertical integration is a USP that we should celebrate more,” the new managing director says.
Passionate about industrial sustainability, Steve is determined to support the decarbonising initiatives from Lossburg, such as arburgGREENworld, energy efficiency and the promotion of recyclates. This was demonstrated in October, when ARBURG won gold in the international Ecovadis Sustainability Awards for the third time. Only two to five per cent of the world’s most sustainable industrial companies receive this award.
He will speak about the importance of producing useful, long-lasting parts at the upcoming Interplas Show in June 2026, ensuring that far fewer moulded products are wasted. This commitment reflects a broader effort to improve the public perception of the plastics industry, particularly regarding recycling plastic.
With a growing number of automation projects in the UK (and Ireland), developing ARBURG Ltd.'s automation offering will be a key part of the strategy. Experienced Automation Engineer Gavin John is well-positioned to support these initiatives.
As ARBURG Ltd. transitions into this new era, the combination of experienced leadership, a young and well-trained team and fresh perspectives, promises to drive more innovation and greater customer satisfaction, secure new customers as ARBURG aims to be the number one brand in the UK and Ireland moulding industry.
