Martin Ward
Commercial Manager (Hire)
Q: Since you started in the industry, what’s something that’s surprised you or challenged you the most and how has SurfacePrep helped you grow through that?
Having been in the industry for eight years, I’ve noticed that people outside of it often see blasting and painting simply as a means to an end. What surprised me most when I joined was the sheer complexity of both operations and the depth of expertise held by the teams across the business. Through SurfacePrep’ s acquisition of several companies within the UK, we’ve been able to significantly strengthen our position as a market leader, while also expanding and sharing knowledge across the group. This has been a huge factor in my own development and understanding of the industry.
Q: Is there a particular project you’ve worked on that you’re especially proud of or learned a lot from?
We’re currently working on an ongoing project that initially posed a real challenge for the customer. They needed to remove a layer of paint from residential buildings and had already tried several methods, ranging from ultra high pressure water jetting to chemical removal, without success. I advised the customer that we could offer a wet blasting solution and arranged on site trials using our Satblast system with an engineer from Hogg blasting. Following successful trials at the customer’s location, we were able to demonstrate the effectiveness of the solution and ultimately secure the contract.
Q: When working with customers, is there a tip or piece of advice you often share to help them get the best outcome from a design or solution?
Making the move from the office to being out in the field as an engineer is something I’m genuinely proud of. There’s a real sense of satisfaction in being able to turn up, figure out what’s gone wrong, and get things working again.
Q: What do you enjoy doing when you're not working - any hobbies or interests that help you unwind?
When I’m not working, I enjoy getting out for walks, socialising with friends, and playing snooker and pool. They’re great ways for me to unwind and switch off.
Q: What kind of feedback do you usually hear from customers or colleagues about your work or approach?
I often hear that SurfacePrep works with customers, not against them, to find practical solutions to their challenges. From colleagues, I’m regularly told that I’m helpful, approachable, and willing to share my knowledge. I also try to support and mentor co workers wherever I can, helping the team develop and work more effectively together.
Q: How do you approach designing solutions for one-off or highly specialised customer needs? Can you share an example where creative thinking made a big difference?
When designing solutions for one off or highly specialised customer needs, it’s often about thinking on your feet and identifying the best available solution at the time. If a customer’s requirements go beyond my own knowledge or experience, we have the right support within the group to make it happen.
A recent example involved a customer who initially approached us for a standard blast cabinet. As discussions progressed, it became clear that their application required a bespoke automated blasting machine. Delivering this solution required the technical expertise of colleagues at Hogg Blasting, alongside the specialist support of Hodge Clemco’s technical services team. By working together, we will develop a tailored solution to meet the customer’s needs — a great example of teamwork and creative problem-solving making a real difference.
