Portsmouth Aviation has provided high-quality, close-tolerance metal finishing services for more than 60 years. We boast one of the largest and best-equipped metal treatment facilities in the South and are accredited with all relevant quality approvals, including NADCAP accreditation.
Steve Dowdeswell has worked at Portsmouth Aviation since 2013. Steve is responsible for managing the paint and refinishing department; ensuring the safety and supervision of his team members.
What’s your career background?
I have worked in the paint industry for around 19 years. My interest in the industry first began when I started working in my Dad’s Spray Shop as a prepper. In this role, I quickly learned all aspects of Paint Spraying; gaining experience painting an extensive list of substrates and materials. From this, I started my own Paint Spraying business in 2010, which I ran for a few years, spraying cars, motorbikes and various marine applications.
In 2013 I joined Portsmouth Aviation as a Paint Sprayer, after a year of working for the company I was appointed team leader within the Paint Department. In 2019 I was promoted to Paint Shop Manager, I am pleased to have been able to continuously develop and learn new skills.
What does your role as Paint Shop Manager involve?
At Portsmouth Aviation, I am responsible for managing the safety and supervision of all personnel working within the paint and refinishing department. I ensure all relative aspects of the quality management system are met and adhered to; whilst managing workloads and ensuring all daily schedules are maintained. Finally, I safeguard all processes, assuring that these are operating within budget levels and labour costs and that all methods and materials are utilised to their fullest potential.
What are the most interesting parts of your role?
I love investigating new technologies and applications that can help us provide a better service for all of our clients, for example, an anti-microbial paint coating and an anti-slip metal spray coating. These new applications will now be used throughout Portsmouth Aviation to create innovative and bespoke equipment and facilities for our clients in a range of industries.
It’s these fantastic discoveries and the ever-changing industry that makes this role so exciting.
What challenges do you face within your role?
I would say the biggest challenge I face as Paint Shop Manager is the high-pressure environment and the necessity to be completely adaptable at any given time. Demand can change quickly within this industry and I have to ensure we still meet expectations and deliver on time to our usual high standard.
Why is Portsmouth Aviation a great place to work?
Being a successful family-owned business, Portsmouth Aviation offers great opportunities to the people willing to work hard and put themselves out there. We have come a long way in the last few years, with improvements to all areas of the business, and with the recent large investments into new plant and machinery, the future of Portsmouth Aviation looks promising with further opportunities to grow and expand into more diverse markets.
If you’d like to learn more about the work we do within our Paint and Finishing Department or if you have an interest in starting a career with Portsmouth Aviation, please get in touch.