Andy Bottle

Workshop Manager

Having joined Southdowns just in time to make the move to our site at Anchorage Park, Andy has recently been promoted from technician to workshop manager. During the summer of 2011 we caught up with him in a rare free five minutes to find out how he is settling in to his new role.

Q What are your key responsibilities?
A As workshop manager I’m responsible for a team of six technicians, who I know well because I’ve worked with some of them since I joined the company. That really helps me to get the best out of the team. My main task is to assess each job as it comes in, determine whether or not the problem can be dealt with and make sure the right person is allocated to it. By doing this effectively, I’m intending to increase the efficiency of what is now a very busy workshop. My experience of the workshop over the last five years and my background with the company have turned out to be a real asset – it means I really understand exactly what is needed on a daily basis.

Q As a manager do you feel you’ve lost touch with your original skill-base?
A No, definitely not. I’m still very hands-on when I have the time to get involved with a job. I do a lot of fault-finding and deal with customers personally on the phone. The minute you start losing touch with what’s going on in the workshop, you lose that understanding of what’s going on and what needs to happen to keep everyone working to maximum capacity.

Q What is the best thing about working for the company
A The people are good to work with and I like to be kept busy. Every day is a challenge and we are busier every year. When the company first moved to Anchorage Park, sales of Concordes kept us going through the winter when it was quieter but that’s not the case now and we are busy all year round.

Q What is the appeal of motorhomes for you?
A The appeal for me is the freedom to go where you like and the fact that you can be totally self-sufficient. I love the fact that it takes 20 minutes to pack a bag and you’re ready to go.

Q If you could take your motorhome anywhere in the world, where would it be?
A Africa or maybe Australia.

Q Finally, if you could fulfil one ambition, what would it be?
A I don’t have a particular ambition but generally if I really want to do something, I make it happen.

Andy lives in Anchorage Park with his girlfriend Mandi, who also works at Southdowns. It’s great to be close to work but it has its downside – especially if the alarm goes off in the middle of the night!

See Also: See what Andy said to us when we interviewed him last in 2006

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