Roger Howkins retires as Managing Director of Matsuura Machinery Ltd

Roger Howkins is retiring after 28 years of service to machine tool supplier Matsuura UK, 15 years of which as Managing Director. Respected throughout the company and the wider UK manufacturing community for his relaxed, friendly manner and consensus style of leadership, he took Matsuura to new heights both commercially, ethically and culturally.

The latitude and understanding that Roger Howkins gave to employees, helping them grow into their roles and fulfil their potential to best serve the company, is a defining and unique factor of his years of leadership.

His many major milestones include overseeing the expansion of the portfolio to include additive manufacturing, and the outright purchase and complete overhaul of the company’s headquareters in Coalville, Leicestershire. Achieving ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 under his leadership were proud moments, as was winning numerous awards – notably one recently for ‘Outstanding Workplace Culture’.

The Matsuura UK business of today is completely unrecognisable to that which Roger Howkins inherited at the beginning of his tenure. He leaves behind a grateful workforce, a healthy balance sheet and a stable and successful business model.