Interview
10 minutes with... Andy Douglas, Timeguard
This month’s quick-fire interview is with Andy Douglas, managing director at Timeguard.
Tea or coffee Prefer tea, but not averse to a shot of coffee.
What is your current role and how long have you been doing it?
I’ve been the MD for Timeguard for a little over 20 years, having originally joined the company seven years earlier as sales and marketing director.
What does your role entail?
I run the company on a day-to-day basis, ensuring we have clear brand and product strategies with a strong market focus, and that we deliver against targets as part of the European group Theben.
How did you get started in this industry? I started with B&R Electrical PLC back in 1983 covering tele-sales, order processing and so on, and importantly, learned about electrical products and the electrical trade market.
What roles were you doing before and how did they prepare you for this one? After learning the ropes, I progressed to external sales, visiting electrical wholesalers across the UK, and continuing to learn about the trade market. After a few years, I headed up their expanding Retail division, selling to the likes of Argos, B&Q, Homebase, etc, gaining valuable brand strategy experience.
What do you hope to achieve in your role? If I can continue to back new ideas and innovation, I
believe the future of the company and our staff will remain secure. I also think it will be a good thing for the trade channel.
What has been the highlight of your career?
It’s been great to innovate in a market where some others are satisfied with an easy “me too”. During my time with Timeguard we created, among others, the UK’s first single-gang switched RCD socket, the stylish twin-headed NightEye LED floodlight and the IP66 Weathersafe Vision switched sockets and spurs. All of these were a clear sign of more things to come from Timeguard.
What do you see as the main issues for the industry at the moment?
Worldwide shortages on components and materials and spiralling product and logistics costs weigh heavily on us all. But, we also face a fast growing ‘digital’ challenge and we need to focus on it as an opportunity. The EDA bit the bullet to put together the EDATA product data platform and I’m proud to say that Timeguard has already achieved EDATA Gold status.
Who has influenced you the most professionally?
I’ve been inspired by so many suppliers, colleagues and customers, but if I was pushed to pick out one person, this would be Paul Schwenk, group chairman of Theben AG, a true pioneer and investor in people and technology who has backed me all the way.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My team. It sounds corny, but we’ve been through a lot of structural, logistical and technology change in a quarter of a century – and Team Timeguard has always stepped up to the plate.
If you’re at the bar - what are you drinking?
I enjoy a nice pilsner lager, or a glass of Malbec, but I much prefer to enjoy them at a summer BBQ than in a bar.
Football, cycling, rugby, golf, gardening… what keeps you busy at the weekend?
I play tennis every week and go to the gym to keep fit, and watch non-league football to chill out with friends.
What’s your favourite film and/or favourite book?
You can’t beat a well-made sci-fi and ‘Dune’ is a current favourite.
ewnews.co.uk March 2022 electrical wholesaler | 33
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