The managing director of Sony UK Technology Centre (UK TEC) has been recognised as one of the UK’s most influential individuals in manufacturing at a prestigious award ceremony.
From hundreds of nominations from across the manufacturing spectrum, Steven Dalton OBE was included in this year’s Manufacturer Top 100 list.
Having been judged by peers within the industry as an inspirational leader, a bold investor in new markets and a driver of cultural change, Mr Dalton is one of just two Welsh business leaders who made the list.
On making the prestigious list which showcases the best of UK manufacturing talent, Mr Dalton, who has been at the business since graduating in electronics in 1983, said he was pleased to be recognised along with some of the most influential manufacturing business leaders in the country.
He said: “It’s always nice to receive recognition for the work we do here. I thoroughly enjoyed the event and it was inspiring to be with other manufacturing leaders who I was able to share ideas with.
“At Sony UK TEC, we consistently strive to be innovative – looking at new markets and ways to make us efficient – in order to ensure we have a sustainable future.
“The success we have witnessed over the last decade is not down to one individual, but our whole team. I am very fortunate to have an excellent senior team who I work very closely with. And importantly for me, in employee surveys, where we are benchmarked against other high performing global manufacturing companies, we are exceeding and setting new benchmarks for others to follow.”
The inspirational managing director, who supports over 400 staff at the Pencoed site, has continually evolved the business over the last decade.
Mr Dalton has steered the business transitioning it from a high volume, low feature operation, to a more sustainable low volume, high-quality and high skilled business model.
Thanks to his innovative approach Sony UK TEC has flourished over the past 10 years, producing thousands of HD broadcast and professional camera systems, third party manufacturing state-of-the-art products for external businesses, including 8m Raspberry Pis.
Always looking for ways to reduce overheads to ensure the business remains competitive, in the past year Mr Dalton has also overseen the launch of the site’s 30,000 sq ft filming facility – Sony Ffilm Factory 35 – which has already acted as a studio for leading TV programmes and upcoming films.
And as the facility continues to thrive, Mr Dalton has set out its business plan for the next five years. He continued: “Ten years ago it was about stability and breaking even, then we moved into a phase of growth and profitability, the next five years are focussing on collaboration and profitability. The Ffilm Factory is one of nine exciting projects within our mid-range plan, with more due to be launched over the coming months.”
Outside of Sony UK TEC, Steve is on the Welsh Government’s Industry Wales advisory board, is a non-executive director for FAW and a governor of the University of South Wales.