Meet The Team: Kelvin Wilkins

Meet Kelvin Wilkins, Ferwood UK’s Sales Manager. Helping to establish the UK subsidiary of the Italian Ferwood Group, as the UK’s leading expert in used and reconditioned furniture production machinery, Kelvin came on board in 2017. If you’ve bought Ferwood-approved machinery, you are sure to have Kelvin in your contacts.

Ask Kelvin what is really important to him, and he will tell you it’s family. Whilst he loves to spend time with his grandchildren away from work, it’s also family that kickstarted his impressive career. 

With Kelvin's Dad having founded Jaydee (Machine Sales) Ltd in the 1960s, his childhood was immersed in the furniture production industry and by 1985, a young Kelvin was heading to Germany to build machines at the Holzma factory. A fast learner and skilled technician, he installed machinery across Europe and the US before returning to the UK as an Area Sales Manager, and then Company Director. When Jaydee became Homag UK, Kelvin soon took the helm as MD. Since then, he has worked as Sales Manager at SCM, and Director of Kelwood Machinery. With over 30 years of experience, we’d call Kelvin an expert in the furniture production industry.

So, what persuaded Kelvin to join Ferwood UK, just as he was beginning to enjoy a few more hours on the golf course? The answer is Ferwood’s solid reputation in the industry, the company’s growing inventory of high-quality machines and John Wilson, CEO at Ferwood USA & UK. “I’ve worked with John over many years, with immense respect for his values and the tight-knit team he has built,” says Kelvin.  “I have a good instinct for relationships and a keen sense of social responsibility. The growing demand for used machinery was perfectly timed with increasing awareness for sustainability, and I wanted to be part of something important. When John asked me to join him at Ferwood, it felt like the right thing to do”. 

Described by colleagues as honourable and fair, Kelvin’s down-to-earth approach is appreciated by both customers and the Ferwood team. He has proven himself to be a man of many talents and is often the go-to person when anyone needs help. When asked what gives him job satisfaction, Kelvin said, “My goal is to help people succeed. I don’t sell machines, I sell solutions, and love to help improve a customer’s production process. But it’s not all new ventures and upgrades, sometimes we work with individuals closing a business, and I pride myself in making a hard task easier.”

Whilst Kelvin is rarely off the phone, we know that he has twinkle toes and a big heart. As an ambassador for Martin House Children’s Hospice, performing in the first Strictly Get Dancing is one of his proudest moments. With just seven weeks training, Kelvin and his wife Michelle stole the show with their Cha-cha-cha and Waltz steps, raising thousands for a deserving cause. Add this to his quest for knowledge that includes learning German, Italian, and the competition of the first year of BA honours in Archaeology - it's clear why Kelvin is such an asset to the Leeds team. 

At Ferwood UK, we provide the best solutions for furniture production, and this requires knowledge, integrity, and the ability to think outside of the box. Kelvin's experience and helpful nature make us proud to have him in on board.