Jack Huckstep
Service Engineer, Reading Depot.
‘Ultimately every step forward for Lister Wilder as a company is a step forward for the team.’
Meet Jack, Agricultural Service Engineer based at our Reading Depot. Although his training started in motor vehicles, he quickly decided the agricultural machines were a bit more up his street. When he was accepted for an Apprenticeship with Lister Wilder, the passion for the product grew.
Despite being in his twenties, Jack’s knowledge and professional attitude can certainly be described as an old head on young shoulders. He likes to take a calm and level-headed approach to his work and in the service department, that can be very important! So, why the switch from motor vehicles into agriculture for Jack?
‘I didn’t grow up on a farm but when I was younger, I used to help out lambing locally and I loved it! I am a really outdoors person and love anything that is hands on, hence the engineering interest. I decided to start a course at Newbury College in motor vehicles but I quickly realised it wasn’t quite the right fit for me. I grew more and more interested in agricultural machines and once I saw Lister Wilder were offering apprenticeship programs, I jumped at the chance to apply! Thankfully I was accepted and went on to College for 4 years completing a course in Agricultural Engineering whilst working at Lister Wilder. Being able to be outdoors, working on larger machines was certainly more exciting for me and I enjoyed it very much. I felt with the agricultural machines there was more to learn and I do love a challenge!’
Lister Wilder, a historically family-run business prides itself of always trying to be a great support system for their staff. With Jack starting his career from a younger age, we wanted to know what his thoughts were when it comes to being a part of the team.
‘I love being part of the Lister Wilder team, you can really feel the family-run aspect and that comes from the top. I have never found an issue with picking up the phone to speak to the Directors Jason and Charlie. I know in some other companies’ staff may not feel so comfortable doing that, I have definitely never had any worries in contacting them if I needed to. They always do their best to help wherever possible. Our team is full of like-minded people and I think that is really important, ultimately, we are all working together to achieve the same outcome; we want to do our best and be the best.’
As an apprentice, we wondered how Jack’s role has changed and grown since he started.
‘I get a lot of responsibility in my role which I love, I work with the Workshop Managers quite closely and then plan my time with them. There is a great sense of self-pride in service, I love getting something fixed for a customer, solving the problem and coming away with a sense of achievement. I feel like my role has grown and moved forward which is important for me as progression within the company is a goal of mine. I do love being on the spanners and don’t think I would want to come off that but if there was a step up in the Service department I would love to be considered in the future.’
With big changes happening to the company in 2020 we spoke to Jack about his thoughts for the future of Lister Wilder and his part in it.
‘I am very excited about all the changes. I think it will be positive for the company to be able to solely concentrate on one brand and I know this can only mean better customer care and also better efficiencies in the day to day running of the company. I know that my role will only grow with the Kubota brand and I am ready to try and push things on. Ultimately every step forward for Lister Wilder as a company is a step forward for the team.’
Now, it can’t be all work and no play so we wanted to know what Jack likes to get up to in his spare time. It comes with no surprise that his love of the outdoors continues. ‘I have got a trails motorbike which I like to get out on, obviously this year has put a bit of a stop to any events but I have tried to do a bit with it. I also love clay pigeon shooting and spending time at home with my partner and her little girl.’
“Its always been very clear that Jack would have a bright future at Lister Wilder – we just didn’t know it was going to be bright orange!” Commented Neil Davis, Service Director, before going on to explain “we have over fifty mobile service engineers across the group and its thanks to people like Jack that we have the strength, depth and experience to ensure customers are looked after day in, day out…its what’s allowed the company to grow and Jacks passion for the product and the customer just shines through”
