about HTMS

Peter started with HTMS in 1995 after growing sales in machinery rebuild started to take off. Peter was already an established electrical engineer and found the tobacco industry a fantastic new challenge to travel and gain more experience in the packaging industry. 

At this point, a full-time electrical department was established. Before that, Peter had worked for HTMS on ‘an as and when needed’ basis. Initially Peter worked with electrical/electronic engineers from John Payne engineering and London Tobacco to gain experience in tobacco machinery and by 2004 became the sole provider of electrical and electronic systems for Hampshire Tobacco Machinery Services. 

Peters job role also meant that he worked closely with our founder Ron Woodthorpe, where he would often travel the world to meet customers, visit factories, and exhibit at exhibitions. This proved a valuable learning curve to enable us to move forward today.

Sara started at HTMS in 1993 when sales of spare parts were increasing, and there was a need for administration support. Sara came from a totally different background to HTMS having trained as a hair technician as a school leaver. Sara jumped at the chance to move from her old role into her new role at HTMS. 

At first, she worked as Ron Woodthorpe’s personal assistant and spare parts sales, administrator junior. Working with Ron closely she learnt quickly how to source parts from the drawing phase, through to goods dispatched to customers all over the world. 

Sara’s remit has changed over the years where she now manages all spares support, and looks after day-to-day accounts. From small beginnings she has become a mine of information for part numbers relating to all machines we cover. Her friendly manner and broad knowledge have given her many friends from across the world, many of which she has served from her early days.

Jeff first joined HTMS in 2007. He came to us from BAT in Southampton after the closure of cigarette production. At BAT Jeff worked as a technical operator on machinery such as Molins HLP’s, G.D. X2000 and Focke 350. 

Jeff’s experience in packing machinery was a revelation to us at HTMS when he first joined. Previously having a team that knew the ins and outs of building machinery, but not so much experience in day-to-day running, and getting the best from them. Jeff advanced HTMS quickly, to not only be able to supply a good machine, but to show it working at its intended performance and beyond. His experience in what people call ‘the magic’ is second to none. 

During Jeff’s time at HTMS he has been able to grow his abilities in the building of machinery and the design of new parts to give better speed and efficiency to established machine designs, making the difference between a good machine and a great machine. Jeff continues to grow in his role, with his appetite to succeed, very strong. 

Malcolm was the first full-time mechanical engineer to join HTMS, back in 1990. His background previously was in anything mechanical, with a love for rebuilding and re-engineering motorcycles that he still enjoys today. 

Malcolm's field of excellence is in soft packing machinery from Sasib and AMF. He has become a mine of information for such machinery, having completed projects on 3000 series up to 6000 series machines. Today he is also involved in the build of making machinery such as MK8 and MK9’s and FTA’s such as Molins PA8 and Hauni Max 3 through to ‘S’.

Howard started with HTMS in 1999. But his relationship with our founder Ron Woodthorpe was far from new. Howard was the first apprentice to start as a school leaver at John Payne Engineering back in 1977, where Ron was technical director. His apprenticeship in engineering and experience gained working at John Payne Engineering, have given him a fantastic knowledge base in engineering generally, and specifically in Molins HLP’s, Wrappers, and Carton Boxers to name a few. Today Howards input is vital in selecting the correct parts for change sizing and upgrading of our machinery range. His experience is highly valued by all.

Darren started with HTMS in 2019. Before working for us, he had worked for Hayward Engineering in Dorset, where he started as a school leaver ‘apprentice engineer’. Working with Hayward Engineering Darren worked, on HTMS parts supply for most of his working time there, which amounts to 36 years. When the owner of Hayward Engineering decided to retire. A brief discussion with Darren was all that was needed to get him on board where he now heads up our parts manufacturing department. Darrens abilities in parts manufacture are second to none. With his experience in precision machining, he has really raised our game, to be able to manufacture parts in an extremely short time at any quantity.