More female directors on Chemix board
A family-owned tyre fitting business, based in Cradley, Halesowen, has appointed two new directors to its board as it marks its 50th anniversary.
Chemix Autocentres began as a tyre remould company and now has three autocentres - Forge Lane, off Dudlet Road, Halesowen; Camp Hill, Wordsley and March End Road, Wednesfield.
The new financial director Kerry Clay and marketing director Denise Hickman were appointed just before Christmas.
They join a five-strong board that also includes a third woman in Gail Harris, the grand-daughter of Chemix founder Fred Harris. The Harris family still owns 50 per cent of the business with managing director Mike McCarron owning the other 50 per cent.
Mr McCarron said the company prided itself on its equal opportunities policy and was joining the trend of seeing more female directors enter the boardroom.
Both new directors have been with the company for many years and are delighted to take on the new challenge of helping to direct the future of the business as it celebrates its 50th year of trading.
"Chemix, like many other companies, faces challenging market conditions, as well as the need to evolve with modern communications. Our belief is that these appointments will help us to better understand and develop to meet these ongoing challenges," said Mr McCarron.
Mrs Hickman said that the autocentres, which also offer servicing, MOts, exhausts, brakes and shock absorbers, were the main part of the business. "We also have a separate property business with out Cradley Enterprise Centre at Maplefields, Cradley, where out head office is based," she explained.
The company, which started out as a tyre remould company, has grown to have an anual turnover of £3.5 million last year and is looking to improve that this year.
It now employs more than 50 across the head office and its three depots
Mr Hickman said: "We are continuing to invest in both new technology and equipment and in our staff through training. Chemix is in the process of updating its website and computer equipment and will be offering improved pricing for our customers as a result.
"We have also bought new four-wheel alignment equipment for the depots. We have gone through a recession and managed to retain most of our staff who have worked very hard. It was nice to reward them with a decent pay increase just before Christmas."
