Meet the Beatson Fans & Motors Team
Beatson Fans & Motors is first and foremost a family business that is committed to offering unparalleled service and an unrivalled range of stock to our customers. Our engineers have many years of collective experience, with some having worked for the business for over 30 years. In addition to this hands-on knowledge, we also have access to an exhaustive back catalogue of industry information.
Our comprehensive workshop capabilities are backed up by our extensive knowledge and expertise, so we can do much more than ‘box shift’, because of this experience, the Beatson Fans & Motor team offer in-depth technical backup and support that many others don’t.
Managing Director – Tom Beatson
Tom has over 25 years of experience working in the industrial fans and motor industry.
After gaining a BTEC in Electrical & Mechanical Engineering from Stannington College, Tom joined the Beatson Fans & Motors team in 1998, as engineering support (which still included sweeping floors and making the tea). Tom spent the following 5 years building the foundations of his engineering knowledge on the shop floor, eventually moving into the Sales department in 2003. He became Sales Manager in 2005 and then Managing Director in 2010. Since then, he has dedicated his professional career to aiding other businesses with their fan and motor needs.
Tom says: “Although the subject of ‘Industrial Fans & Electric Motors’ sounds like it could send a glass eye to sleep, it’s a very varied and interesting subject. No one day is the same! We have helped with some huge projects over the years. Some of my favourites are the 36 1,000mm roof fans for a recycling centre in Reading, some 2-metre diameter fans for a manufacturing plant in India, and even some motors for James Bond and Jaws (although a bit before my time). It’s also interesting getting to know our customers and building relationships with our suppliers and learning how they entered the industry. After all, who actually said “I want to be a fan salesman” at school? I wanted to be a rock star!”
Chris Pearson – Engineer
Chris started as our engineering apprentice in 1986 at the age of 18 and passed his City & Guilds qualification whilst being with the company. He’s our longest-standing member of the Beatson Fans & Motors team who isn’t a Beatson by name! After 35 years of being with the company, what Chris doesn’t know can be written on the back of a postage stamp. He’s known for his vast knowledge and adaptability.
Chris says: “It’s the variety of the job that makes it interesting! There are people who only do motors, some who only do gearboxes, some only do pumps and others who only sell fans. We do the lot, including starters, inverters, and all the bits and bobs that go with the industry. This makes us conversant in all rotating equipment conversations, which makes us unique in our industry. I know I play my skills down sometimes, but I like to do what I do and keep a relatively low profile.”
John Maples – Engineer
John has been with Beatson Fans & Motors team since 1995, after working in various sectors of the rotating machinery industry. John became a fully qualified armature winder in 1979, along with his other twelve City & Guilds qualifications. John has seen it, done and got the t-shirt (and the hat, coat, boots, and socks!). John’s technical expertise, first-hand knowledge of various sectors of our industry, and even a brief stint in the catering industry mean that we are more adaptable than many of our rivals.
John says: “If you aren’t prepared to take the time to do the job properly in the first place, what makes you think you have the time to do it again? It’s all in the detail and I pride myself on my work.”
Sarah Beatson – Accounts & Company Secretary
Sarah has been part of the Beatson Fans & Motors team since 2003. Sarah was the obvious choice as we needed someone we can trust who has fantastic organisation skills and holds the company’s interests at heart. Sarah also has a varied background including owning a florist shop, running and performing as lead singer in a function band and as office manager for Synectic Systems. By the time Margaret Beatson retired in 2010, Sarah was more than qualified to take over the role of accounts and company secretary. She continues to do so, whilst running the office with an iron fist.
Sarah says: “I run a tight ship – someone has to keep an eye on Tom and the team!”