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Meet the Management Team
After spending nine years working for a plastic hose and tube manufacturing company, Bryan Cowan decided to go alone. The result was Abbey Extrusions Ltd, which commenced manufacturing and trading on 1st August 1985.
The company experienced rapid success in its first three years. It earned a strong reputation as a dependable tube and hose manufacturing source. Founder and Managing Director Bryan Cowan attributes this not only to his industry experience and sales ability but to the solidarity, loyalty and commitment of Abbey’s core management team and skilled factory technicians.
We have developed innovative solutions for various clients’ projects in a fiercely competitive market. We also provide a consultancy service for specialised modifications or bespoke manufacture. Our exemplary work and service have enabled us to develop a UK and international customer base, including pharmaceutical companies, breweries, food and drink manufacturers, automotive industries, hydraulics and pneumatics industries, aerospace organisations, and engineering and horticultural sectors.
We acknowledge the significance of quality manufacturing. That’s why we manufacture our hose in our own UK factory and operate as a registered BS ISO9001 company.
Bryan Cowan - Managing Director
Since moving to Leicestershire from Manchester during the early seventies, Bryan is now a stalwart “Blue Army” Leicester City Season Ticket Holder. Bryan is a keen but frustrated golfer still awaiting that perfect par round and a hole-in-one! He is a member of Kilworth Springs Golf Club. Also, he plays golf for the Plastic Industry Golf Society (PIGS) with many friends and colleagues throughout the plastics industry.
Good food is paramount to Bryan. His love of good food goes back to being a trainee chef. Bryan still delights in cooking today and has attended many varied gourmet training courses to broaden his skill levels. He also appreciates fine wine and pubs with proper people and perfect ales. Bryan enjoys Northern Soul and Motown, attending many eclectic live music events. He also has an appreciation for provincial and West End theatre
Doug Turner - Director
Doug started at Abbey Extrusions as a teenager in 1986. He became one of the company’s directors in 2010.
Outside of work, Doug’s main hobby is scooter racing. He has raced at high speeds on most of the UK’s top circuits and abroad.
Martin Bird - Director
Having studied Engineering at Coalville Technical College, Martin joined Abbey Extrusions 1986 as a machine operator. Afterwards, he was promoted to Shift Quality Manager and Dispatch Manager before he departed for two years to travel around Australia and South East Asia.
In 1993 Martin he returned to Abbey. In 2007 he was appointed Financial Director and spent three years studying accountancy at Stephenson College. Martin is married with a young family. He spends much of his spare time renovating the family home but also enjoys trail riding, league pool and karate.
Richard Millington - Works Director
Richard started his career in the plastics industry in 1984 and joined Abbey Extrusions in 1986 as a machine operator. After spending two years at Abbey, he was promoted to Shift Manager. Following an additional two years, Richard was once again promoted, this time to Production Manager.
In 2007 Richard became the company’s works director. His main roles now include production, quality systems, purchasing and personnel responsibility. Richard is also a proud father of two children. With the little spare time he gets, he enjoys photography, gardening and getting stuck into DIY projects.
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