Outlook To the Future: Andy Hicks On 17 Years At Ramtech
It was recently announced that Andy Hicks has stepped down from his post as managing director and is now working in a consultative role until the end of quarter one in 2023, when he will leave the business.
Andy has spent 17 successful years with us and without his leadership, Ramtech may not be the leading global business it is today. Providing wireless technology solutions for the UK caravan and leisure industry at our inception, we have since developed new offerings to confidently move into the construction and industrial sectors across 30 countries.
Having worked for large international businesses before joining us, Andy was looking for his next challenge and wanted an opportunity to scale up a smaller business. It was our early adoption of wireless technology that excited Andy and made our offering too difficult to resist.
Andy said: “Ramtech had a very unique proposition in the UK caravan and leisure market and there seemed to be considerable opportunity for global growth into other vertical markets – broadening the use of wireless technology into other applications.
“I was keen to build Ramtech into a truly customer centric business with a strong set of values. I feel I have achieved this objective and our “Customer 1st” approach will hopefully be part of the company’s DNA now forever. Our solutions save lives, so it’s imperative that people trust us and understand that we’re driven by their interests.”
After joining us in 2005, Andy completed a management buyout in 2006. Instigating significant investment in research and development, three years later WES 1 was launched and our presence in the construction industry was established.
During the decade that followed, two more iterations of the WES platform were developed, with the introduction of WISE also marking our entry into the security and integrated solution markets. In 2020 we launched REACT – a 24/7 cloud-based emergency and risk notification system that elevates our existing systems and can be used as a standalone solution too. Since 2021 we have been owned by the Halma Group, marking a new era in our history.
Andy continued: “Having spent time working within the Halma Group for 17 months, I have been really impressed with the quality of its people. Equally, I have seen a very strong alignment of the values that I built at Ramtech during my leadership. “I have only worked with Alan Middup, our new business unit director, for a short period of time, but I am confident that his approach will ensure a continuation of the great culture we have at Ramtech. His clear drive, energy and ambition will no doubt see the successful continuation of the business’ journey.
“Ramtech is now operating in over 30 countries and has a wide portfolio of digital solutions, built on some great wireless products and cloud-based software. This, coupled with the amazing team of people in place across the business and within our channel partners, is going to put Ramtech in prime position to tackle whatever challenges the company faces next – in what is a very uncertain business environment.”
Andy will remain close to the business until April and will continue to support Alan with his transition while undertaking some project-based roles. “I would like to thank everyone I have worked with during my time here and make it known that without the energetic and innovative minds I’ve been fortunate to call colleagues in the last 17 years, Ramtech wouldn’t be where it is today. “I wish Alan all the best in his new role and look forward to seeing the future success that Ramtech is sure to achieve.”