MANCHESTER, UK — According to coatings manufacturer HMG Paints, the UK coatings industry faces a shortage of skilled staff and an aging workforce at a time when it is experiencing increasing demand for improved product performance and sustainable solutions. In response, HMG Paints is investing significantly in staff recruitment across the business, including in its research and development facilities, and proactively working to attract experienced coatings formulators while also developing the next generation of staff to handle these challenges. 

“People are at the heart of HMG and we’re always looking to create the best environment for our people to thrive,” said Steve Crossman, COO. “Be it the annual staff BBQ, 1 p.m. Friday Finish or Christmas & New Year off we always try to ensure we provide a great work life balance where our staff can develop professionally and personally.”

The nature and variety of HMG’s customer base and product portfolio mean that there is a broad range of roles and opportunities within the company from apprentice and graduate opportunities in production and operations, to roles for experienced chemists within the laboratory. These roles include technical positions such as paint technologists, research and development chemists, and color specialists with one eye on a sustainable, net-zero future. 

Colorful Career Opportunities

One area HMG has really pushed the boundaries over the last few years is within its Advanced Colour Design department. The success of the department means that HMG is now looking to further expand its color development and formulation team, which is responsible for the company’s library of over 90,000 color formulations.

The Advanced Colour Design team works closely with customers to develop bespoke color options and solutions for customers in a variety of fields, including decorative, automotive, model and hobby. The team has worked on a number of high-profile projects including the Jaguar CX-17 (F-Pace), paint for Aston Marin Racing that was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show, a unique gold for angel statues at the Parisian Hotel and Casino in Macau, interior design palettes for leading decorative brands, and the restoration of Emerson Fittipaldi's iconic Lotus F1 car along with many other projects. 

Training and Development

“HMG Paints has a long and proud history of developing our own technical team and we have some very exciting opportunities available as our business continues to grow,” said Crossman. “Having started myself as an apprentice in the laboratory I know first hand about the exciting challenges and opportunities that lie within HMG Paints. We have a great track record of nurturing our own talent in-house but also combining that with attracting experienced professionals within the coatings industry.”

Learn more about HMG Paints at www.hmgpaint.com. Contact John Fenton, HMG Paints Human Resources Director, at jfenton@hmgpaint.com for more information about a career at the company.