martin hile

Technical Director

About

I am an expert in the development of wooden door products from their conception to their actual manifestation as physical products. Having worked with wooden doors for over 25 years, I understand how doors are put together and I use that knowledge to identify products that might suit a particular aesthetic requirement or perhaps a particular area of functionality. I have been involved in the door industry with JB Kind Ltd for many years, and during that time I have gathered considerable experience and knowledge of what materials might be used within the construction of a wooden door, whilst at the same time, developing a wide portfolio of contacts within the door manufacturing sector at an international level. Sometimes, I might be responding to a particular requirement from a client who could be seeking a suitable door solution for an individual project. Alternatively, I am frequently found doodling with ideas that might become mainstream door products in the future. Working with long established supplier partners, it is a pleasure to see a product metamorphose from a design idea to become a door product that features within a catalogue or within a client's stock profile. My expertise enables me to offer advice on doors: • Door patterns • Bespoke design doors • Made to measure doors • Fire resistant doors • Wooden door finishing • Enhanced security doors • Environmental accreditation for doors At commercial and operational levels I am also very experienced in the concepts of warehousing, distribution, sales and marketing activities.

Country

United Kingdom

City

Greater Derby Area

Industry

Building Materials

Skill

Building Materials, Doors, Key Account Management, Account Management, B2B, Sales, Direct Sales, Sales Operations, Key Account Development, Selling, Timber, Wood, Procurement, Distribution Logistics, Marketing, Fire Doors, Wooden Doors, Business Development, Sales Management, Negotiation

Experience

Technical Director

J B Kind Ltd

2025-1 - Present · 1 yr 8 mos

Commercial Director

JB Kind Ltd

2007-10 - Present · 18 yrs 11 mos

Swadlincote Derbyshire

General Manager

JB Kind Ltd

1989-9 - Present · 37 yrs

Swadlincote, Derbyshire

I have been a member of the board of directors at JB Kind since 2007, but I have been part of the JB Kind team since 1989 when I first joined as a regional field sales manager. Coming from a merchant background through the Magnet trainee management system, I quickly established myself within the company over the following couple of years, I moved to an internally based role as team leader of the internal sales force where I renewed my team motivation and leadership skills. I quickly became involved in the warehousing, distribution and commercial side of the business and in 1995 was appointed general manager. From that point, my involvement extended further to include product development and I learned the processes involved in inteernational sourcing of wooden doors as well as understanding the techniques, materials and capabilities of both existing suppliers and forming relationships, as well as seeking out new opportunities at an international level. During this period as general manager, my responsibilities included working within and overseeing the whole of JB Kind's sales function. I found that I particularly enjoyed working in the evolving luxury door market, as affordable door options had previously been limited until the European manufacturing capabilities had been established. Following my appointment to the board of directors in 2007, I became more deeply involved in the door procurement process which now extends at an international level across 4 continents. Product development and procurement comprise most of my current role, but I am still actively involved at an operational level within the business in respect of warehouse logistics, distribution and marketing.