Sam thrives delivering service excellence under pressure

Sam Muge had left school after his A-levels and was considering his long-term options while working in a supermarket when he attended a job interview at local firm Flowplant.Seven years on, he is the company’s service team leader, with multiple technical qualifications to his name, working with customers across the UK and around the world.“At the time, I hadn’t thought of a technical career like this,” Sam explains. “But once I got involved, I enjoyed the work and really haven’t looked back since. I see my foreseeable future here.”Rewarding

Rewarding effort and talent

Sam is our latest WJA Young Gun – a person under the age of 30 who is forging ahead with a career in the water jetting industry. Aged 26 now, he is certainly doing that. Based in Salisbury, Wiltshire, Flowplant is a long-standing WJA member and one of the UK’s leading designers and manufacturers of high pressure water jetting and pumping systems. Its equipment, which operates at pressures up to and beyond 3,000 bar (43,500 psi), has many applications, including sewer cleaning, industrial cleaning, surface preparation and cable duct desilting. Flowplant Group Managing Director Steve Smith was one of the first senior managers to spot Sam’s potential. He says: “Sam’s progress is a reflection of our keenness to reward effort and talent. “We look out for people with the right attitude when we recruit. Then we can work with them to grow their expertise and confidence. It’s a good way to develop a strong and resilient team.”

Excellent workplace training

Sam began at Flowplant as a pump assembler – mainly putting together the Harben pumps the company is well known for. “I got my head down and got to work,” he says. His diligence got him noticed and he moved on to unit production, putting together the pump, engine, gearbox and other equipment that made up a Flowplant water jetter. “The on-the-job training at Flowplant is excellent,” says Sam. “There are colleagues who’ve worked here for 40 years, who are more than willing to pass on their expertise and knowledge. Their support has been a huge part of my progression.” By now, Sam was fully immersed in the capabilities of water jetting and the advanced technology Flowplant puts into its machines. “The vast range if what water can do under pressure interested me, from helping lay fibre-optic cables to stripping individual layers of paint from a tank, the number of applications is incredible. And here at Flowplant we design and make a lot of the equipment that can do this.”

Supporting customers globally

Flowplant believes strongly in developing the skills and capabilities of its workforce, so has paid for Sam to study for an engineering apprenticeship, which his is very close to completing. During several years of study, he has completed a Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering, a Level 3 BTEC in Engineering (Mechanical), and a Level 4 in Engineering (General Engineering). The knowledge and hands-on engineering experience gained during these studies underpins his ability to thrive in his new role as the service team leader. Sam now supports service team colleagues, in Scotland, Yorkshire and at the Salisbury HQ, who are responsible for servicing and repairing Flowplant water jetting systems for customers. He also regularly liaises with engineers working for customers located in other countries – 70% of Flowplant’s equipment is exported – across Europe and in the Middle East, Nigeria, Brazil, and the USA.

Fast-paced and supportive

So, what does Sam like about working and Flowplant and in the water jetting industry? “It’s very busy, and full on, which I like,” he says. “There’s always something going on, a new piece of equipment coming on stream and a new challenge to overcome. “I like working on the tools, but my job is to make sure my team is well supported and can do the best job they can for customers. It’s very fast-paced. We get jetting units back at work as soon as possible. “Safety is also critical. And, while we have control of the unit we will make sure it’s optimised, so it’s as productive and as capable as it can be.”

Important role of WJA

Sam also acknowledges the importance of the role of the Water Jetting Association is setting standards that operatives using Flowplant equipment should work to. He explains: “If ever we’re handing over a new unit, we always make sure customers are aware their teams should have the right training, which often means attending WJA courses. “Also, we promote the WJA codes of practice. It’s the best way to ensure our equipment is used safely and productively.” Sam also recognises that working at Flowplant has moved his career on at pace. “I wanted the kind of responsibility I have now, but I didn’t think I would get it quite so soon,” he says. “The support and encouragement I’ve received at Flowplant have enabled me to do a good job and show what more I can do at key moments in my work here.” He would also encourage other people starting out on their working life to consider the water jetting industry. “Whether in manufacturing or contracting, the work is very varied. “No two days are the same. There is little time to lose interest in your work, and if you apply yourself, the rewards, in terms of career development, can be significant.”