The mechanical sealing industry has always notoriously been a “man’s environment”.
From Sugar Mills, to Chemical and Paper Production plants, the workforce from Engineering down to the fitters, is dominated by males, and the suppliers who call on these men are mostly male too. When it comes to engineered products, men tend to trust men … so when it comes to a lady selling mechanical seals and gland packing, it seemed to be a major challenge.
AESSEAL employed Catherine Ackersten on 1st May 2014. To date, Catherine has already grown her area exponentially YTD over 2015 sales.
The majority of Catherine’s sales are split between, and in order: gland packing, mechanical seals, Belzona and Shims.
We asked Catherine 10 questions about herself to get to know this exceptional saleswoman.
- Before you started with AESSEAL, what did you do and how did it happen that you started work with AESSEAL?
I worked for Chesterton for 12 years prior to joining AESSEAL. According to me AESSEAL has always been THE seal company to work for, so when the opportunity arrived , I grabbed it with both hands.
2. How do you feel about working in a predominantly male-dominated environment?
I have been in this field for a long time, so I actually don’t know anything else, but it has its perks at times.
3. What do you enjoy most about your work?
I enjoy the challenge of setting myself daily,weekly and monthly targets and objectives, and pushing to achieve them.
4. What do you find are your biggest challenges at work currently?
My biggest challenge at the moment is the bad economic climate, people always complaining about the lack of money. But there are ways and means around that.
5. How do you get past these challenges?
Plants need to run, maintenance must get done! So I believe if you are consistent and persistent your customers will appreciate that and your business will grow regardless of the economic climate.
6. What advice would you give to any woman wanting to enter the same work life as you?
Don’t be intimidated by entering a male dominated field, if you set your mind to it you can do anything, as long as you are willing to learn.
7. Are you married and do you have any kids?
Yes I am happily married to Paul, we have two children. My daughter Zoe is 10 and my son Sean is 6.
8. What is your secret to keeping a healthy work-life balance?
There is a time a place for everything, worktime you work hard, give your 100% and then your family time will automatically fall into place.
9. Do you have any hobbies, if so, what are they?
At this point my children keep my pretty busy after hours with all their activities.
10. What is your next big plan at AESSEAL in terms of your career growth?
Obviously I would like to see my business grow steadily in the coming years. But I would also like to complete successfully, the 3 training modules AESSEAL offers on their Mechanical Seals.
Like the business models of the last decades, which have changed and morphed into what we now operate in today, this success proves mindsets can be challenged, and, with the right design and motivation, business can change for the better.
