Celebrating 20 years of Lee Charlton

Reaching 20 years with one company is a remarkable achievement, and we are proud to celebrate this milestone with Lee Charlton.

Lee joined Warren two decades ago as a Fabricator Welder, working under the guidance of Ian Coulson, whose high standards and no-nonsense approach helped shape many successful careers within the business.

Prior to joining Warren, Lee had worked extensively in structural steel fabrication for buildings. Moving into Warren’s manufacturing environment presented a different challenge, but he quickly adapted and became an important part of the team.

A significant turning point in Lee’s career came when Warren invested in its first Waterjet cutting machine. The business needed someone to take ownership of the new technology, learn its capabilities and integrate it into daily operations. Lee stepped forward to take on the challenge. While Ian was understandably reluctant to lose a skilled welder from his team, the decision proved to be an excellent one.

Lee successfully mastered every aspect of the Waterjet operation, from programming and production through to maintenance and optimisation. His expertise helped establish the technology as a key part of Warren’s manufacturing capabilities.

As the business continued to grow, Warren made another major investment, purchasing a Laser cutter alongside a large Amada Brake Press and SolidWorks CAD/CAM software. Lee worked closely with Richard and Will Bridgman to evaluate the available options, visiting suppliers across the country and carrying out extensive trials before selecting the right equipment for the business.

Building on his Waterjet experience, Lee undertook specialist training on the new machinery alongside Will Bridgman and then-apprentice Danny Rayner. The successful introduction of laser and waterjet cutting has since become an important part of Warren’s long-term business strategy and growth.

Throughout these developments, Lee continued to progress through the company. From Laser and Fabrication Manager to Production Manager at Fison, each role brought new responsibilities and fresh challenges. Along the way he developed skills in team leadership, planning, customer and supplier relationships, IT systems and operational management.

Today, Lee serves as Operations Director, playing a key role in the continued success and development of Warren.

Looking back over the last 20 years, Lee would be the first to acknowledge that the journey has not always been easy. However, through hard work, determination and the support of colleagues across the business, he has built an impressive career and made a significant contribution to Warren’s success.

Thank you, Lee, for your dedication, commitment and leadership over the past 20 years. We look forward to seeing what the future holds and to continuing the journey together.