At Howco, we appreciate all of our hardworking, committed staff members across the world. Many have been with us for a great number of years, and as we have expanded, we have attracted talented new recruits too. As International Women’s Day is in March, we have taken this opportunity to shine a light on our female employees.
IWD is a specific day dedicated to the advancement of women worldwide. Marked by millions of people on 8th March, it celebrates the social, cultural, economic and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender equality.
We employ women in a wide range of positions across the Howco Group, and we value the different skills that they all bring. We thought you might like to see the first Question & Answer sessions below that have taken place with some team members from Howco Irvine in Scotland and Howco Bredbury in England. They make an interesting read, and more will follow showing staff in different settings in other areas of the organisation.
The photos at the end are of some of the Howco Women from our workplaces in: Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Norway, Dubai UAE, Singapore, 3 locations in England and 3 locations in Scotland – and include those in both our distribution and manufacturing divisions as well as our Energy Transition team. Thank you to everyone – including those women who are camera-shy and helped to take the photos alongside some of the Howco men. Teamwork!
Name: Kelly
Length of service: 19 years
Job title: Sales Manager
What initially attracted you to work for Howco?
I left school at 16 because I was eager to gain practical, hands-on experience. I found school wasn’t challenging or engaging enough for me. When I saw the role of Office Administrator at Howco, I thought it would be a great way to start my career. What initially seemed like just a job became the foundation for a journey filled with learning, development, and growth across various roles within the company.
Can you describe a typical day in your role? What do you enjoy most about it/ working for Howco?
My day usually includes heading up front-end sales, handling estimates, working with the finance team on P&L analysis, and authorising sales orders. I also initiate contract reviews across departments and ensure there is a solid transfer of information for new orders. I love how varied the role is. No two days are ever the same.
Can you share a memorable achievement or project you’ve been a part of while working here?
There’s something really satisfying about putting in a lot of effort to put together a quotation, and then finally seeing it come to life when the order gets confirmed. That’s always an achievement. Watching the project move through the WIP stage and eventually get shipped as a finished product feels really rewarding. It’s not just about seeing it all come together, but also about making a profit and knowing that all the hard work has paid off.
What do you think sets our company apart from others?
Despite being in a traditionally male-dominated industry, I’ve always felt encouraged and empowered to grow in my roles here. Howco is part of a group with numerous locations worldwide, giving it a strong global presence that helps to make it a good place to work.
What advice would you give to any new employee joining our company?
Be open to learning and don’t hesitate to ask questions – the team is always willing to help. Embrace the opportunities to work with all departments because that’s where some of the best ideas come from. Howco offers plenty of chances to grow.
Name: Shlomie
Length of service: 1 year 8 months
Job title: Purchasing Co-ordinator
What initially attracted you to work for Howco?
I was initially attracted to Howco at Bredbury because I recognised the company as a highly successful and well-established business in the industry.
Can you describe a typical day in your role? What do you enjoy most about it/ working for Howco?
A typical day in my position consists of placing high-value orders with suppliers in the United Kingdom and around the world, as well as ensuring that the procurement process operates smoothly. I am in frequent communication with suppliers, which helps build solid connections, ensuring deliveries arrive on schedule and at the right price, and items fulfil the required quality requirements.
Can you share a memorable achievement or project you’ve been a part of whilst working here?
My most memorable achievement whilst at Howco has been learning and gaining a thorough understanding of all the parts and materials we work with. It’s been incredibly rewarding to develop my knowledge and apply it effectively.
What sets our company apart from other places you’ve worked?
The strong sense of teamwork and dedication to quality and excellence in everything we do. There is a real emphasis on developing knowledge and fostering relationships, both internally with colleagues and externally with suppliers. From my perspective, Howco is a company where you’re always learning and improving, making it an interesting and rewarding environment to be a part of.
What advice would you give to any new employee joining our company?
I would advise you to take time to really understand the business, the processes and the products we work with. Don’t hesitate to ask questions – there is a wealth of knowledge within the team. Embrace the variety in the role, as each day brings new challenges and opportunities.
More Q&A sessions will be posted on our website in due course. Watch this space.
A final thought for International Women’s Day 2025…
“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller