Our Business Services Manager Bryan Gilchrist recently celebrated 10 years with the company. We caught up with Bryan to find out how his role and the company has changed over the years and why he enjoys working at Online.
1. Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Bryan Gilchrist and I’m the Business Services Manager at Online Electronics in Aberdeen. Outside of work, I like to spend time walking my dog, watching football, listening to music, and playing video games.
2. How long have you been with Online, what is your background and how has your role changed?
I have been with OEL for 10 years now and previously worked as a JNCO Infantry Soldier in the British Army, a Network Systems Technician for a telecoms company and a few years as a Security Systems Engineer for a couple of national alarm companies.
I applied to work at Online whilst I was working long hours on call and covered a large area which meant a decent work to homelife balance was difficult to achieve most of the time. I was successful in my application for the Electronic Technician role and was involved in the manufacturing and repair of our products.
I eventually moved into the role of Document Technician and then in 2019 I applied for the position of Hire & Service Manager with the remit to evaluate and streamline the existing Hire & Repair process as well as assist the Production Manager in doing the same for the manufacturing process.
An opportunity arose for the position of Business Services Manager which I applied for and was successful in gaining, starting the job in May 2022. It is a very challenging role but I do like a challenge.
3. How have you and the company evolved over the last 10 years?
When I took on the role of Document Technician, that’s when I started to see changes. This position and I evolved enormously in the six years I was doing this, from being responsible for all documentation required for the manufacturing of our standard products to assisting with and sometimes the design of non-standard products. It was during my time as Document Technician that Online were acquired by the IK Group and investments in more business practices really started to take place with the most significant of these being the introduction of our current ERP system, the implementation of which I was heavily involved in.
In my current role, improving our business processes is never far from the front of my mind and working with all other departments in the company I believe that any improvements found will be successfully implemented.
4. Is there a specific project or achievement that stands out to you over the last 10 years?
I think this would be seeing the company transition from thinking that an order of 20 units of pig signallers for example was huge to seeing us regularly handle orders for 50+ units on a regular basis and manage them with ease is the greatest achievement and I am proud to have played a part in that.
5. What do you think is the biggest challenge facing our industry right now?
The change from being dependent on fossil fuels to more sustainable and environmentally friendly forms of energy is one of the greatest challenges of our time.
6. What do you enjoy most about working at Online Electronics?
I enjoy working for Online because it’s a small and busy but creative company. We all get along and work as a team and pitch in get the job done for our customers.