KAIZEN FURNITURE - Key Persons
After studying Furniture Design & Craftsmanship at BUCKS New Uni, Joe joined Kaizen in 2014 as an enthusiastic draughtsperson, and took responsibility for transitioning the team from Autocad to our advanced 3D design software, Solid Edge. Joe went on to become Technical Design Manager and is now our Design Director. Joe's aim has been to optimise the development and presentation of Kaizen's technical drawings to ensure that they stand apart from any other. "One of my greatest accomplishments at Kaizen is what our drawings have become, with the help of our dedicated Design Team. I feel exceptionally proud" says Joe. "But it's the opportunity to keep on learning from others that really keeps me driven. I am a firm believer that the best ideas are never created by one person but by a collaborative mind, and Kaizen really fosters this kind of working environment." Joe also likes to get down on the workshop floor. "I love the smell of the freshly machined cedar as it's taken from our machine shop to the benches. I'll often find myself amongst the furniture, seeking that opportunity to examine the characteristics of the materials, how they react to the mix of design and functionality." Outside of work, Joe loves spending time with his wife and two girls. He is a very sociable person and loves to get stuck into every activity. His Father was involved with motorsports, and many happy years spent at the racetrack fuelled Joe's interest in cars. And with his Grandfather being an actor, Joe can, on occasion, also be found on the stage!
John joined Kaizen in 2010 as a furniture maker when the production team was just five strong. As the company rapidly expanded, he progressed to Workshop Foreman and Workshop Manager, becoming Workshop Director in 2015, where he now oversees a production team of 25. "I'm responsible for all areas of production at Kaizen, for ensuring the smooth manufacture of every piece that we make. I work closely alongside our Design Director, Project Managers and Site Manager to make sure the whole process from instruction of a job to final sign off runs seamlessly" says John. "The best thing about my role is having the opportunity to be involved with the whole process of amazing furniture production, from the early stages of design to seeing the furniture develop and become a reality before our eyes. It has been my passion since I left college to take a drawing and bring it to life, and I love that my role allows me to have personal influence over the journey of every piece. What inspires me daily are the challenges that keep us on our toes, the beautiful materials we get to work with and the ever surprising end results that we achieve." That Kaizen also recognises the families behind the employee, encouraging them to feel part of the team, John believes helps to keep morale high. "This is something I really value. My role allows me to bring my two passions in life, my family and furniture making, together very nicely."
Nick grew up in a household full of cool furniture - his father was a Norwegian graphic designer who came to London in the 1960's, bringing with him his love of Scandinavian design and filling their home with pieces that are sought out in vintage shops now. What the family didn't own appeared in the numerous design magazines around the house. Nick absorbed all of these with relish and practiced rudimentary design and build in the shed. This led him to study Furniture & Product Design, and from there to establish a studio and workshop. For over ten years Nick honed his craft, focusing on the minutiae of design, manufacture, client/trade liaison and site management, producing a mix of residential furniture and commercial fit-outs. With these skills behind him, Nick moved into project management, spending four years working for high-end retail clients Anarchitect and then Universal Design Studio. In 2015 he joined Kaizen. "It still amazes me what Kaizen produces from often humble materials" says Nick. ‘The marriage of engineering and aesthetic is a wonder to behold, resulting in stunning pieces that grace the interiors of the grandest houses. As a project manager, I believe the process is as important as the end result - the client has to be confident they are getting quality service to match the furniture."Nick's escape from work is attending live music and sporting events, which are always unpredictable and a great foil to the schedules and programming of the week.
Paulius first sharpened his tools during his early years in Lithuania where he would help his Dad with the woodwork at their summer home, and he still proudly treasures his first handsaw and nail hammer. Inspired by his Dad's skills as a craftsman, he followed in his footsteps and headed to Building Construction college in Kaunas. At 20 years old, Paulius left his hometown for a new life in London where he started out as a carpenter's assistant. Driven by his passion for the trade, he progressed very quickly and was managing his own projects within a year. When Paulius moved to a joinery fit out company working on prestigious London projects, he found his niche in furniture making and installation, and joined Kaizen in 2013 as a Senior Installer. For the last seven years Paulius has been managing Kaizen's site installation team. "With the flow of challenging new projects and such a professional team, there is no where I would rather work than Kaizen" says Paulius. "I am lucky that I get to do what I love here." Paulius has three things that he does with his free time. Family is his priority - he has a wonderful wife and two children. He never says no to DIY at home, as woodworking is in his blood. But when not with his family or on the tools, he can be found happily spending his downtime fishing.
A City & Guilds course in Advanced Craft Cabinet Making at The London College of Furniture opened the doors to Ray's long career in cabinet making. Ray climbed the ranks working for a number of small London based furniture makers where he produced a plethora of period and contemporary furniture and joinery for luxury interiors, before joining Kaizen in 2010. "Kaizen is unlike any other company I've worked for" says Ray. "The MDs' commitment and passion for the Kaizen brand is infectious and it's the reason why 11 years later I'm still here. The expansion of Kaizen, alongside our pioneering facilities which I have watched grow, has seen me progress from Team Leader to Foreman to Production Manager, where I enjoy sharing my 40 years of experience with our talented cabinet makers and draughtspeople and the extended Kaizen team. It's a demanding role where no two projects are the same. I get a great satisfaction when creating a piece of furniture, whether that has been from making it or being instrumental in its development." Outside of Kaizen, Ray enjoys country walks, the gym, travelling the world and playing games, where he is very competitive and derives great pleasure in winning against his lovely wife Kay.