Dundee-based manufacturer Rautomead is looking to the future after a challenging year, with a new leadership team and a full order book.

Founded in 1978, Rautomead designs and manufactures continuous-casting equipment for processing non-ferrous metals and alloys worldwide. Over 400 Rautomead machines, built in Dundee, currently operate in 49 countries, producing everything from cabling for electric vehicles and high-speed trains to coins, Olympic medals and fine jewellery.

Following a recent restructuring, which included a small number of voluntary redundancies, Managing Director Stephen Hall, who joined in August 2024, has assembled a dynamic leadership team.

Lee Macnamara leads Sales and Marketing, Ryan Nish serves as Operations Manager, Lorraine Macdonald heads Finance, Mervyn Cooper champions new initiatives as Innovations Manager and Jan Barclay oversees strategic operations as Chief of Staff.

The restructuring has also allowed Rautomead, based at Dundee’s Wester Gourdie Industrial Estate, to recruit two graduate engineers and is actively hiring a graduate sales engineer for North America.

In addition, Rautomead anticipates taking on two new apprentices—one mechanical and one electrical—to build on the success of this year’s graduates, one of whom has remained with the company to continue their professional development.

Stephen said, “While highly challenging, the last year has forced us to look at things differently. We’ve streamlined, refocused and built a high-performance leadership team that shares one goal – to build a thriving, sustainable Rautomead for the next 100 years.

Today, the company employs around 40 people, combining decades of experience with a new generation of engineers and innovators, and the early signs are very positive. We have a strong, vibrant team with a full order book, a refreshed set of company values and a business that’s firmly focused on the future.

And, while our new leadership team is driving the progress, we know that true success comes from collaboration, a core value at the heart of everything we do. We couldn’t achieve our goals without the collaboration, commitment, and support of every member of our amazing team.”

The company is also developing its spare parts and after-sales business, transforming it from a reactive service into a strategic, customer-focused offering with training, service visits and upgrade packages.

Stephen added, “Our spare parts business is an important part of our relationship with customers, so we’re putting more energy into that area – not just supplying parts but helping our clients get the best out of their machines. It’s a big opportunity for us and one that reflects our values perfectly, that we want to build partnerships for life with our clients.”

A refreshed set of company values, developed with staff, has also been promoted, focusing on innovation, people, and customers.

Stephen added: “These values aren’t just words on a wall. They come from our people and define how we treat each other, our customers and how we innovate.”

Indeed, innovation remains central to Rautomead’s success. Led by Mervyn Cooper, the Innovation team focuses on new processes, alloys and sustainability projects aligned with the global net-zero agenda.

Stephen said, “Rautomead started life based on a process previously used for the recycling of brass scrap from the bezel making process of Timex watches, so sustainability has been part of our DNA from day one. We’ve always been about recycling and resource efficiency, long before it became fashionable. That mindset continues to shape our approach today.”

Rautomead’s commitment to Dundee and its people remains central to its strategy, working closely with the University of Dundee’s School of Engineering and supporting PhD research through the Prosperity Partnership.

Stephen concluded, “As a company deeply rooted in Dundee, we’re committed to investing in the city’s future. We’re proud to employ local people, support apprenticeships, and provide opportunities for the next generation of engineers. Dundee has been our home for nearly 50 years, we owe a lot to this city, and it will remain at the heart of our growth.”