International Women’s Day - Interview with Bal Phillips
In celebration of International Women's Day, we proudly present an interview with our managing director, Bal Phillips. Steering Great Central Plastics, a leader in automotive badge manufacturing, Bal's journey through the male-dominated injection moulding field showcases her ability to transform challenges into opportunities.
Emphasising sustainability and a harmonious work-life balance, her narrative enriches our understanding of diversity and inclusivity in manufacturing. Join us as we delve into the experiences and achievements that shape her inspiring path in the industry.
What are some of the unique challenges you've faced as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field, and how have you overcome them?
Being a woman in a male dominated industry such as injection moulding is more of an advantage than a hindrance if I’m honest, it allows myself and my business to be more memorable to people I’m meeting with. Embracing being in the minority has massively helped turn a challenge into an asset.
A lot of the work we do is within the automotive sector and I think it surprises people my passion and interest in all things automotive. Yet, these reactions serve as a reminder of the importance of diversity and inclusion in traditionally male dominated spaces like injection moulding.
And ultimately, it's these moments that make me smile and keep our journey in this field both engaging and rewarding.
Great Central Plastics is known for its commitment to quality and innovation. Can you share some insights into how your perspective as a woman has influenced the company's approach to business?
Asking questions! There are a lot of women in industries who have an exceptional technical understanding, but I am not one of them. This means I have had to surround myself with a team of technical experts who can look after this aspect of the business. My approach to working with this set up means I am often asking questions that others might not and this can often lead to new ideas being discussed.
One thing I'm always asking about is sustainability. It's a important for me and for the future of our business. So, while I might not be designing mould tools or running machines, I'm definitely keeping the conversation going on how we can make our processes and products more sustainable and eco-friendly.
As a mother of two within a family business, it’s important to me to balance a professional and family ethos with the company. This has been something that I’ve embraced to ensure that my staff are looked after. I feel a duty to take care of them outside of a standard employer, employee relationship.
International Women's Day is about celebrating the achievements of women around the world. Can you highlight a particularly proud moment or accomplishment in your career that you'd like to share?
We embarked on a management buy out in 2021 which was a very challenging process to undergo, especially given the affects of COVID on the manufacturing sector as a whole.
Officially taking over was a very proud day for me but seeing the journey we’ve been on and the huge improvements we’ve made in so many different facets of the business has been amazing. This makes for a very exciting future.
Balancing work and personal life can be challenging for many entrepreneurs. How do you prioritise self-care and maintain a healthy work-life balance amidst the demands of running a successful business?
Building a great team! One of the first things I wanted to implement when I took over the company was to ensure that we had a strong team that not only enjoyed working for Great Central Plastics but are part of the growth of Great Central Plastics.
I have a fantastic team that take care of the day to day running of things which enables me to be able to be away from the office more. Every member of our team plays an integral part of the operation and growth of our business.
Although my brain doesn’t always switch off from work it massively helps knowing that we have a business that is big enough to deliver, small enough to care.
What advice would you give to other women who aspire to start their own business in the manufacturing industry?
Embrace your difference. Being a woman in manufacturing makes you unique and memorable. Being a woman is not your sole identity but is part of who you are. It shouldn’t define you, but should compliment the business person you are.
