HotSeat – Jonathan Apperley, Managing Director at Process Parameters

Process Parameters is a UK-based manufacturer and distributor of industrial temperature sensors, infrared sensors and thermal cameras, serving all areas of industrial manufacturing. Managing Director Jonathan Apperley founded the company in 2004 using his wealth of expertise in both the temperature and pressure monitoring industries. Jonathan is the next PlastikCity Partner to face the HotSeat…

What trends do you think will shape the future of UK plastics? How will Process Parameters respond?

The introduction of innovative measurement techniques will help to drive efficiency and product quality.

We are already responding in collaboration with our partners by bringing to market thermal imaging technology previously inaccessible to the plastics industry. Our products offer an excellent price-performance ratio and enable the introduction of thermal imaging into industrial plastics applications for the first time. There are many advantages over traditional thermocouple technology, whether on injection moulding, extrusion, blow moulding or plastic film processes.

How has Process Parameters developed during your tenure?

I founded Process Parameters in 2004, and the company has now evolved into a strong manufacturing and distribution company specialising in process measurement and control, in particular temperature.

From typically humble beginnings, we have developed a strong customer base across several industries, not just plastics, and have gained a broad application knowledge that I believe gives us an advantage in assisting our clients with their processes.

For the past ten years, we have been the UK distributor for Optris, a German manufacturer of infrared temperature sensors and thermal imaging cameras. We are proud that this range of products is now core to our business and puts us at the forefront of temperature measurement technology.

What do you credit as the key to your success?

Aside from obviously working extremely hard at all aspects of our business, the personal trait I see in both myself and others that are successful is having a genuine interest in the industries we serve and the applications and benefits our products can provide to the client. I believe that if you can enjoy what you do then life will generally be easier and you will be more successful. This enthusiasm rubs off on my colleagues, and together we do a better job.

What has been the greatest challenge in your career?

In seventeen years of owning and running a business, the biggest challenge has not been a difficult customer or tricky staff members but the fast-moving effects of the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. The rapid evolution of the situation was something none of us had experienced, and we could never have prepared for such an event.

However, I take from this that our business showed great resilience due to the strength of our team and the policies, procedures, and systems that have been developed over the past years. It showed that implementing good quality strategies helps to deal with tough times.

What advice do you wish you’d had on entering the industry, and does that differ from the advice you would give to an apprentice joining now?

In many ways, I have been fortunate that my working career has given me access to an extensive range of industries, people and applications.

For a would-be apprentice, I would say, “be inquisitive.” Ask questions of your colleagues and show an interest in what is happening around you. Most people are willing to share their knowledge and experience with you, and this will be the most valuable lesson you can receive and something which cannot be learned in a classroom.

What hidden talents do you have?

In my spare time, I am a glider pilot. I love to fly whenever possible, particularly during the spring and summer months when the conditions are most suitable. As well as progressing to longer flights over bigger distances, I am also working on becoming a flying instructor so I can train future pilots.

Process Parameters
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