Karen Jones Business Development Manager Neatcrown Corwen Limited

To begin, tell us a little about yourself and your background.

I grew up in Connah’s Quay and attended Ysgol Maes Garmon secondary school in Mold and although I spoke English at home, I was taught through the medium of Welsh. It was a steep learning curve, but I feel privileged now that I was given the opportunity to learn to speak Welsh fluently and learn about the culture. I moved to Ruthin, Denbighshire after having my second child in 2000 and I enjoy the rural lifestyle.

I started working in laboratories at the age of 18 and studied Chemistry on day-release basis over several years. I’ve worked with some excellent employers in the area of chemical manufacturing with my area of expertise being in formulation and new product development. I have always been supported to continue my professional development, working up to senior management level.

Following on from studying chemistry, I attended many leadership and management courses, including a postgrad in Coaching and Mentoring. I have been a mentor for the Royal Society of Chemistry, working with women in similar roles. I coach on a part-time basis, with a particular interest in leadership and management, sustainability and the environment, as well as workplace wellbeing.

: What attracted you to the company?

Having worked successfully with my previous company for 14 years, growing the laboratory team and building on my leadership and management skills, I felt ready for a new challenge in 2018 when my role was changing due to restructuring within the organisation. I began to explore opportunities where I could utilise my skills and experience.

I was offered a role as Business Development Manager at Neatcrown, a family-owned Contract Manufacturing company, based in Corwen. I had been aware of Neatcrown, previously Phostrogen Ltd, as it has been manufacturing leading garden care products at the current site for many years, so there were many synergies with my own experiences within the manufacture of agricultural products.

I have enjoyed working within SMEs in the past, wearing many hats and experiencing many different aspects of the business. On visiting the site and meeting the team, I could see the potential for growth and I felt there was an opportunity to have an impact in shaping the company strategy. I was keen to be part of it as it aligned with my own values and was an opportunity to utilise my skills and expertise whilst learning the new skills needed for Business Development.

What are your main responsibilities?

Neatcrown’s strategy to reduce dependency on a single customer and achieve diversity of customers and sectors began in 2017. My main responsibility when I joined the company in 2019 was to increase the customer base and help the business diversify into supplying into different sectors, particularly the agriculture sector.

As Business Development Manager, I explore and follow up on business opportunitie whilst liaising with prospective customers and building relationships with current customers. I evaluate new leads and opportunities to determine if they are a good fit for Neatcrown and if we would be a suitable manufacturing partner to fulfil their manufacturing requirements.

I keep up to date with current market trends, initiatives and regulations within the sectors that we work in, ensuring we can support our customers with the changing landscapes and offer solutions where necessary. I assess the company’s marketing needs, working on any literature, social media and exhibitions to increase visibility and attract new business, as well as working closely with the factory to onboard new customers and advise on any new enquiries.

WCNW: Who is your target audience and what is the main aim of the organisation?

We are a contract manufacturing business, offering manufacturing and filling solutions to some of the leading brands within the home and garden and agriculture sectors.

We work with a wide range of organisations, co-manufacturing their products, packaging them and helping them to develop their own product ranges. We also supply to distributors and companies who have their own brands. The main aim of the organisation is to produce high-quality products, safely and efficiently, whilst building trusting relationships with our customers who are outsourcing their manufacturing.

WCNW: How have things gone so far?

We have continued to grow our customer base within horticulture and agriculture, and today are working closely with industry leaders and innovators developing and manufacturing agricultural products for sustainable crop production. The growth has been managed in a way in which we continue to provide the quality service we promised we would.

WCNW: Any difficulties? If so, how did you overcome them?

As a manufacturer, we have faced many challenges over the last few years. COVID-19, Brexit, the Ukraine conflict and the cost-of-living crisis, which has meant that we have had to remain flexible and agile to the many uncertainties. With the challenges that emerged in 2020, Neatcrown very quickly diversified, but not in the way we had intended, we switched to manufacturing and supplying disinfectants to manage the increased demand throughout the pandemic. The home and garden sector were not requiring stocks, as garden centres closed overnight and consumers bought only the essentials.

Although this impacted the rate at which the strategy to enter into agricultural product manufacture was realised, we continued to increase visibility and connections with prospective customers within this sector.

With a continued focus towards the manufacture and formulation of products within the agriculture sector, we were making great strides towards increasing our customer base. With the additional challenges and uncertainties facing the industry, with short supply of raw materials and pricing volatility, customers were more heavily reliant on delivering uninterrupted supplies of manufactured products. This resulted in them being open to reducing the risk on their own supply chain and bolstering their manufacturing capacity.

Neatcrown showed its flexible and reactive approach during these challenges, keeping the business operational as well as building up partnerships across the different sectors.

WCNW: How have businesses and individuals responded to what you’re offering?

Neatcrown were named CoManufacturer and Packer of the Year 2023, at the prestigious UK packaging awards in London. This was in recognition of diversifying the business, and the commitment to supporting innovation and growth of businesses looking to expand their manufacturing capabilities and product portfolios within specialised fertilisers for crop production.

Our customers continue to grow with us, which is an accolade to the service and trust they have in Neatcrown. We believe that collaboration is key, ensuring regular communications in regard to supply, as well as remaining flexible whilst ensuring high standards of quality and service. As our reputation grows, we are finding more new leads organically through recommendations.

WCNW: What are your career aims and aspirations? Is there anything else in particular you’d like to achieve in your lifetime?

I recognise in myself how important it is to have a career that fulfils a sense of purpose and aligns with my values. At this stage of my career, I feel I can utilise my chemistry expertise and knowledge for innovation, striving towards more sustainable practices in agriculture, whilst supporting others who may be at the earlier stages of their career. I am enthused with the direction in which the company is growing and on reflection, the change in career was an incredibly positive change and a much better fit for me as a person.

Having been introduced to coaching and mentoring in 2013 through an initiative in Wales to introduce coaching into organisations, I continue to be an advocate for coaching as a personal and professional development initiative and enjoy the work I do with organisations and charities offering coaching services.