Time flies when you’re doing what you love! This year, we celebrate a remarkable milestone—Mehdi, our esteemed Estimator, has completed ten years of service at JC Metalworks. From his early days as a mechanical engineer to becoming a key player in our estimation department, Mehdi’s journey has been nothing short of inspiring.
The Beginning: A Passion for Numbers
Mehdi joined JC Metalworks in 2015, bringing with him a background in mechanical engineering and an innate love for numbers. Initially working under the guidance of Jason our Managing Director, Mehdi credits this early mentorship as crucial to his development. “Having the opportunity to ask questions and thoroughly understand the concepts from Jason was invaluable,” he recalls. This foundation, coupled with the hands-on experience, ignited a passion for estimation
Mehdi also acknowledges the role of Richard Baily, who was instrumental in introducing him to the system and helping him navigate the complexities of E2i, he showed him some of the trickiest aspects of its functionality. Additionally, a week-long training session at the E2i headquarters provided him with deeper insights into the system’s operations, which proved highly beneficial.
Beyond structured training, Mehdi found great value in engaging with the shop floor team. Interaction with the shop floor staff gave him a more grounded understanding of the real-world applications of estimation. By putting himself in their shoes and considering the practical realities they faced daily, he refined his approach, ensuring that his estimations were not just theoretically sound but also aligned with the actual production processes.
“Even with my mechanical engineering background, estimating felt like what I was born to do.”
Mehdi honed his commercial skills under Jason’s tutelage, he remembers that they used to work on really big tenders back then with a more flexible approach, which provided him a perfect ground for learning and growth.
This hands-on experience helped him refine his commercial skills and set him on the path to becoming a proficient estimator.
Overcoming Challenges in Estimation
One of the biggest challenges Mehdi faces as an estimator is striking the perfect balance between estimated cost and actual cost. His approach? Stepping into the customer’s shoes. By understanding what the customer truly needs and how to deliver the best value, Mehdi ensures that every project remains cost-effective and high-quality. His customer-centric mindset has been instrumental in maintaining JC Metalworks’ reputation for excellence.
Proudest Achievements
Among his many achievements, one that stands out is his instrumental role in transitioning JC Metalworks from the old system, E2i, to MIE Trak Pro.
From the ground up, he helped build the system, creating operational formulas, migrating existing data, and tailoring the software to perfectly align with JC Metalworks’ unique needs and operations. Mehdi was part of the core team that implemented this change from scratch.
Beyond this, Mehdi’s growth within the company has been remarkable. Starting as an estimator, he seized every learning opportunity, steadily rising through the ranks to become the team leader of the estimation department. Today, he manages a team, ensuring they work efficiently and effectively to meet the company’s goals.
Advice for Aspiring Estimators
For those who want to start a career in estimation, Mehdi has simple yet invaluable advice: estimation is a challenging job, so be prepared! Attention to detail is crucial; you cannot afford to overlook anything. He feels that mathematical skills are very beneficial, with a genuine passion for numbers. If you enjoy problem-solving and have a keen analytical mind, then estimation can be an incredibly rewarding career.
The Future of Metal Fabrication & Estimating
Looking to the future, Mehdi sees exciting possibilities where estimating becomes more streamlined through clearly defined systems and processes. He’s eager to refine existing procedures, aiming for greater efficiency and time savings.He along with the senior team is continuously working on improving these processes to save time while maintaining high accuracy and quality standards.
A key focus is leveraging MIE Trak Pro to its full potential, optimising its features to enhance efficiency, data accuracy, and project tracking. By fully integrating MIE Trak Pro into end-to-end operations, Mehdi aims to create a seamless and highly efficient estimation process that drives continued success for JC Metalworks.
What makes JC Metalworks so special?
For Mehdi, it’s the family-run atmosphere and the sense of shared growth. “As the company has grown, I feel like I’ve grown with it,” he reflects. The strong relationships he has built—especially with Jason—have kept him connected to the company. JC fosters cultural diversity, ensuring that no one feels out of place. “There’s open communication here,” Mehdi emphasises, “and our main value is being fair and open, which I appreciate most.” JC Metalworks remains a place where people can truly thrive.
Mehdi has also developed a great productive relationship with his manager, Neil. Through open communication and a shared understanding of business needs, their collaboration has significantly improved. Mehdi appreciates the trust and support Neil has provided, enabling him to refine processes and contribute more effectively to the company’s success.
Beyond Work: Life as an Estimator
Even outside the office, Mehdi’s mind never truly switches off. “It’s funny,” he laughs, “even when I’m shopping with my wife or doing things at home, I’m always calculating pros and cons, the actual value of everything.” He admits it’s a challenge to quiet the estimator within, but, he makes a conscious effort to prioritise what matters most—spending quality time with his family.
Mehdi married just a year after joining JC Metalworks, and in 2020, he and his wife welcomed their son, who is now five years old. One of his greatest joys is playing football with his son and working on DIY projects together, creating special bonding moments through fun activities.
A Decade of Excellence and Counting
During the memento presentation, Jason, Managing Director, shared how impressed he’d been with Mehdi from the very beginning, highlighting his exceptional negotiating skills and unwavering enthusiasm for numbers. “When I was involved in estimation myself,” Jason said, “I knew I needed someone I could fully trust to handle the role just as I would. And Mehdi has proven time and again that he can do exactly that.” This speaks volumes about the level of trust and respect Mehdi has earned over the years.
As we celebrate Mehdi’s ten-year journey at JC Metalworks, we recognise not only his professional contributions but also his unwavering dedication and passion for his work. His story is a reminder of how hard work, curiosity, and a love for numbers can lead to a fulfilling and successful career. Here’s to many more years of excellence, numbers, and success!
Congratulations, Mehdi, on this incredible milestone!
