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Mandy Hudson
Managing Director
Mandy Hudson is totally passionate about, and fully committed to, the industrial valve industry. As the daughter of IVE founders Jamie and Margo Hudson, Mandy's childhood weekends were often spent at the Tokoroa workshop with the rest of the family. This early association spawned what can only be described as a love of all things to do with industrial valves.
Upon reaching working age Mandy joined IVE and became totally immersed in the business, starting on the workshop floor and progressively working her way through all aspects of the organisation, leading to a 5-year period fronting National Sales. By the year 2000 Mandy also took on responsibility for Site Labour Management and in the same year managed a Goliath Shutdown for CHH Pulp and Paper Kinleith which involved a contract labour force of almost 400 personnel.
As Managing Director of IVE, Mandy views well managed expansion as the future imperative, while retaining the unique culture that has left an indelible hallmark on the organisation.
"IVE is a place where talented people work hard and really care about what they do and about the customers they serve. And I'll move heaven and earth to support and maintain that ethos, because that's at the very heart of what makes us different."
Steve Benham
General Manager
London born Steve Benham signed up with the British Royal Navy at 17 years of age, starting as a Marine Engineering Mechanic and then qualifying as a Fitter / Turner. During his 15 years in the Senior Service Steve experienced life on board Aircraft Carriers, Amphibious Assault Ships, the Antarctic Ice Patrol, Nuclear Submarines and even served for a time on board the Royal Yacht.
Upon leaving the Navy as a Chief Petty Officer Marine Engineering Artificer, qualified in electrical / mechanical engineering, Steve went on to spend over a decade in the public and private health sectors in the UK, working at various times in Facilities Management, Plant Management and Contracts Management.
Among a raft of qualifications Steve holds a BSc (Honours) and is qualified in New Zealand as a Welding Inspector and a Pressure Equipment Inspector.
As General Manager of IVE, Steve focuses on management of all branch activity, Quality Assurance Systems and business development.
"The team at IVE, and our customers, are really very good to work with. The environment is excellent and I'm delighted to have the opportunity to make a contribution to a company that deserves the success it's achieving."
Eric Barraclough
Sales, Marketing and Customer Relations Manager
Eric Barraclough enlisted with the British Royal Navy as soon as he was old enough to do so. His first position was Junior Stoker but Eric soon left his rudimentary beginnings behind as he became progressively more qualified in a range of Mechanical Engineering disciplines. After some 24 years of continuous service, Chief Marine Engineering Mechanic Eric Barraclough left the Royal Navy to start a new life in New Zealand.
Having completed Sales and Marketing studies, Eric embarked on a new career in Technical Sales in New Zealand. His vast experience quickly led to Eric being highly respected and much sought after for his practical advice and consummate problem solving skills. During an 8-year period representing a valve supply company, Eric first came into contact with IVE. This culminated in Eric joining the IVE team in a Sales, Marketing and Customer Relations Management role.
Eric's current role is focus on making sure IVE's customers are happy, a task which often involves advising on applications and solving problems quickly. A notable example of the latter was when Contact Energy had a problem with a critical safety valve in Auckland on an Easter weekend. While the valve was being flown by helicopter to IVE's Tokoroa workshop, Eric was busy organising a Valve Technician and a signatory. Less than an hour after landing, the helicopter was making it's way back to Auckland with the fully functional, tested and certified valve on board.
"In all honesty, IVE has given me the best, most enjoyable years of my life. The team here is absolutely first rate. Our customers are a pleasure to work with and for every one of us the customer always comes first. Every time. That's why I'm here for them 24/7/365."
Anton Danych
Workshop Manager - New Plymouth
Anton Danych is not only an industrial valve man to the core, he's also a fully dedicated IVE team member, having spent all of his 20 years working life with the organisation. Anton started work with Specialist On Site Services, a New Plymouth based company then partly owned by Jamie Hudson, now renamed IVE New Plymouth and fully owned by IVE.
Having served an apprenticeship as a Fitter / Turner, Anton progressively went on to becoming highly proficient in every aspect of IVE's workshop and onsite services. Always based in New Plymouth, Anton has built an enviable in-depth understanding of his customers plant as well as excellent relationships based on trust and dependability.
As New Plymouth Workshop Manager, Anton is responsible for servicing the needs of a diverse range of industries and operations from large organisations such as Fonterra, to small companies with just one or two boilers. Due to it's location, half of the New Plymouth business comes from the regions thriving Petrochemical Industry.
"My job is essentially to make sure our quality systems are adhered to from start to finish on every job and to ensure we meet customer deadlines. We have a great team in New Plymouth. Dedicated, hard working and very customer focus. IVE as an organisation has really 'got it together'. I've been here for 20 years and I'm ready for the next 20."
