Our Team

Our Team

Here at DC Iron, we take great pride in our staff who work together to offer you the best service in our industry. As a family-run business, most of our staff know each other well and are friends of the family.

Dave Collins, Managing Director (aka DC, Top Dog)

He's the top guy who founded the business in 1997 after spotting the demand for wrought iron components when fitting plastic handrail. He still plays a very active and vital role in running the business and has built the excellent reputation for being the 'king of stock'. Always pushing to seek perfection. 2021 saw DC reaching the milestone of his 65th birthday and he is still putting the hours and effort in to keep pushing the company forward. Will he ever retire? It's 50/50!

Scott C, Marketing Director

Scott is responsible for company growth and manages all of the marketing material such as catalogue production and the website. Also manages the company procedures and involved in improving efficiency in the business. Scott is bringing a host of additional aspects to the company with his forward thinking and knowledge of modern technology. Scott's latest project was the design of the new offices within the main depot at Swalwell at the end of 2024 which have just been completed.

Paul R, General Manager

Has been with the business almost since the very start and knows the most about all our products. General manager of the company and Dave's right-hand man and shoulder to lean on. Paul also handles all the automation department and there's not much he doesn’t know regarding that aspect. He's now got two new hips and two new knees so virtually a bionic man. Paul also handles the majority of the ever-changing HR within the company.

Paul S, Sales Manager (aka Young Paul)

Paul joined to deal with the increasing sales calls years ago. Known as 'Young Paul' to differentiate between the other Paul but now that his hair is changing to grey the description of young is very dubious. Another of Paul's very important jobs is to liaise closely with our carriers in ensuring the goods get to where they are supposed to at the right time, if not he knows how to kick butt to find out why. Paul has now progressed to the title of Sales & Purchasing Manager and as well as driving sales forward he now has the added responsibility of managing the purchasing of a wide range of our products and negotiating the best deals for the company. Football coaching at junior level is Paul's new passion.

Jordan Young, Facilities Manager

Jordan is a young lad that joined the team with both warehouse experience and Fork Lift Truck experience. He loves anything mechanical and if it's broke then he's the man to fix it. Size 12 boots and 6 ft 6 inches he's probably the biggest in the company yet one of the youngest. Total machine and top of the overtime league by a mile. Progressed quickly within the company to be given the role of Facilities Manager for all four sites we operate to ensure all are working well and to ensure any work requiring done from maintenance to repairs are completed within budget and to the standard required. Even been given his own desk within the main office. The driving force alongside DC during the complete refurbishment of both Dunston and Swalwell which are a tribute to his efforts.

Denise T, Chief Accounts Administrator

Manages all of our accounts making sure everything balances up, chasing payments and all other admin work. Prides herself on her figures and putting her hand on any piece of admin within seconds no matter how long ago it was done. Tidiest cupboards in the North East and has recently taken up a new sport of swimming in the North Sea every weekend. Gifted with the best office in the building after refurbishment and certainly its the warmest.

April L, Assistant Administrator

The opportunity to employ April was too much for DC to miss when he got wind that the company she had worked for over 20 years was closing down. Despite April receiving other job offers the attraction of working within our team and learning new skills was too much for her to resist. Thriving in her new role and is the perfect assistant for Denise to really strengthen our admin team. April has got to be the nicest person ever that chases debts and payments yet her methods really do work. She's also the queen of baking and often treats the lads with her cakes and pies.

Paul F, Warehouse Manager

Joined in 2008 Paul has progressed through the company to the very important and busy role of Warehouse Manager. Paul prides himself on his neatness of packing items and watching him put a pallet together and wrap it is an art within itself. His dry sense of humour adds fun to the day. Paul's downfall unfortunately is that he is a keen Manchester Utd fan. One of five Pauls in the company!!! Paul is the official DC Iron table tennis Champion and darts champion.

Chris L, Assistant Warehouse Manager

Chris came from sitting about on his backside driving a taxi into the different world of warehousing and dispatch and has now progressed within the company to Assistant Warehouse Manager. "Formerly" dark & handsome and nicknamed "The Spaniard" due to this he's a vital part of our team being tall and strong which comes in handy when the forklift breaks down. Works alongside Paul F in ensuring the warehouse runs smoothly and efficiently. John K's whipping boy at dinner time on the pool table and yet to perfect his serve at table tennis. Big fan of Newcastle United and season ticket holder.

John K, Sales Advisor

John K joined our busy warehouse team due to demand on a part-time basis and has now progressed into the office for sales and using his previous experience. John comes from considerable sales experience and has now went from part-time to full-time position. Another great addition to ensure our next day policy for customers is adhered to and applied. John has also now progressed within the automation side of the business and also uploads a lot of information to our website. Sporting John is not only the Company Pool Champion but also won the DC Iron Golf Championship for the second time in 4 years. Still needs to improve his table tennis doubles skills with his partner Chris L in order to take the mantle away from DC and Paul F who always won the Seasons Cup.

Trevor W, Sales Advisor

Trevor has joined us after being made redundant from a very well known Architectural Ironmongery Company and brings with him over 30 years experience and a vast amount of knowledge to the job. A very good footballer in his earlier days and now a very keen golfer and won the DC Iron Golf Championship in 2021. I'm sure once he is settled in he will be banging the goals in and scoring plenty birdies with the customers. Trevor is also a keen DIY guy and has plumbing skills and is brilliant with an iron and a hoover. Trevor now has been handed the role of Locinox expert as the company expands its huge range of that brand. Trevor also handles the daunting task of health and safety within the company liaising with all persons concerned.

Simon P, Sales Advisor

Simon joined us from EE customer services and is the one with the poshest voice in the office. A very good golfer and now learning the ropes of the metalwork industry and a very good acquisition to the sales team. Simon now has his regular customers who when they call simply ask for the "Posh Kid". Additional trust has been given to Simon with access to the main sales email inbox in order to keep them up to date and handled quickly so eyeing the title of Customer Service manager. On a recent stag do trip to Liverpool Simon's dancing skills earned him the new name of "Travolta".

Lee M, Sales Advisor

Newest acquisition to the office and sales team is Lee who joins us after many years of working within a largescale local engineering company. Settled in super quick and now handles the increasing demand and processing of online orders. His past skills will no doubt be used further as he settles in to our ways and is a very popular addition already with his work colleagues. Lee's passion is football and strangely enough is a Tottenham Hotspur supporter. In his spare time Lee is a scout for a well known non-league club close to us and on a more professional footing he works as a scout for Dutch Club FC Twente on a part-time basis.

Graham W, Graphic Designer

After a lot of time searching we finally found and added our own in-house Graphic Designer to manage and create all our own catalogue and marketing literature. Graham also is a keen and experienced photographer so looks after the task of ensuring our images used are of the best quality. Superb addition to the team. Graham continues to develop our website image and catalogue content with work of the highest level. His recent project was to undertake building and fitting his own hand-made kitchen.

Steve G, Delivery Driver

Steve delivers all the local customers' orders. Delivery with a smile is Steve's motto and nothing is a problem for this guy. Sometimes known as 6 cushion Steve on the pool table.

Andy B, Warehouse Dispatch Supervisor

Andy joined our warehouse team from a local steel stockist and has proven to be a great asset. Loves to be kept on the go and is proving a multi-skilled addition to our ever-growing warehouse team. Loves the big difficult orders and sees them as a challenge. His disco dancing needs a lot of improvement though! A 10 team footy acca expert.

Paul C, Warehouse Dispatch Supervisor

Paul (no.4) joined the company with good past experience from a large clothing distribution warehouse and settled in quickly within the dispatch team. His sense of humour came shining through at interview when asked if he was a “Red & White” (Sunderland) he quickly replied “Aye, Stoke”! Trying to lose weight by regular visits to his recently installed hot tub. Beats Andy with 12 team footy accas. Is the jovial host at his Garden room/bar for the DC Annual Golf Championship.

Lee F, Warehouse Operative

Lee came to us after being with a local egg producing company for many years. A keen cyclist and loves a good egg and cress sandwich in brown bread at lunchtime. Lee works mainly with our goods in and stock movement team and is superb at keeping the warehouses spick and span. Always on the go and a keen cyclist with the nicest shaped legs at DC Iron.

Dave M, Warehouse Operative

Dave joined us from a previous Builders Merchant Depot Managers position and has proved a great addition. Very multi-skilled and covers Stevie for deliveries sometimes when workload needs. Out and about he's been named "The Sambuca Kid". Always has a keen eye for health and safety procedures.

James B, Warehouse Operative

James joined us with a degree in Forensic Computing and is now advancing with a degree in fork lift truck handling. Great worker and always the first to volunteer help if anyone else needs a hand with anything. His multi probation periods are now long forgotten as he has become one of the top dispatch order pickers with constant high figures. The addition of two children has given James a totally new direction now and works any hours available, not sure if that's to get away from the kids or his love for his work. Big Tottenham Hotspur fan and an awful gambler taking bets on the maddest of things.

Michael C, Warehouse Operative

Michael joined us from years working in the stockrooms of a well known High Street retailer and has made the transition smoothly into the world of large warehousing. Operates in Unit 7 which handles in the main the Stainless Steel products and key clamps which need particular attention to detail with coding. Moving from shirts and tee shirts to steel products has been a good move for all concerned with him now being one of the top pickers. When asked what's the Craic? His reply is always “Living the dream”.

Cameron G, Warehouse Supervisor

Cameron was suggested to us by Paul S the Sales manager and what a suggestion this has proved to be. Came to us via Pizza Hut but his vocation is certainly shining through within the warehouse environment. Cameron has been rewarded by given the big responsibility of managing the new Dunston facility which he is thriving at. Although a very quiet lad there's nothing quiet about the work rate he puts in he's more like a jet engine. Has a big future within the company. One of the star players in the five a side football and now plays table tennis at a really good level.

Gary S, Warehouse Assistant Supervisor

Gary joined our team after years of working for the Co-Op amongst a mix of both male and females to an all-male environment to which he is well suited with his wicked sense of humour and great work ethics. Gary has been rewarded with assistant supervisor role alongside Cameron at the new Dunston facility. Only worry about Gary is his admission for having a fetish for deep pile carpets on a recent social evening but fortunately Dunston floors are all tiled or vinyl.

Daniel G H, Warehouse Assistant

Daniel joined us from Amazon and after an initial settling in period is now flourishing in the job. Based at the new Dunston facility he's part of the very settled team there which is now beginning to really show good results. Soon to be a new dad also which he's very much excited about.

Ryan D, Warehouse Operative

Ryan joined us from the huge operation known as Amazon and immediately prefers the close knit family atmosphere we try and generate at DC Iron. After initially struggling with certain aspects of the work he has now started to flourish and with his wicked sense of humour adds to the banter on the shop floor whilst maintaining the strong work ethics required. Good team player and excellent footballer to match his warehouse skills.

Hamzah R, Warehouse Operative/Plastic Handrail Fitter

Hamzah joined us from Nissan where he was part of the line putting together cars. The lure of more social hours to give him a more settled home life and the fact he wanted to enjoy his job without the regimental style of his previous job was a main factor of his wish to join us plus his partner is the sister of two other employees made his introduction an easy move. Third time lucky in his application and is now proving an excellent addition to the warehouse team. Hamzah has also been trained up in the skill of fitting plastic handrail capping and now travels the UK when needed with the other fitters we have.

Paul T, Warehouse Operative

Paul joined us from a local toilet roll distribution warehouse. The interview team let him slip through our fingers on his 1st attempt in getting into the company but when that mistake was realised he was eventually signed up and "Toonza '' as he's better known was given his contract. Proving to be a great signing for the team and is being well accepted by the rest of the lads. Paul's attendance should never be in doubt as he only lives 100 yards away from the factory. Paul loves to let his hair down on the dance floor it's just a shame he has very little of it.

Connor B, Warehouse Operative Connor has returned to join us after leaving for a contracting job fitting ventilation units around various parts of the UK. The birth of his first child proved too much of a tug on the family situation and probably he was missing the lads so much here that he decided to ask if he could be back with us. Welcomed back with open arms he now seems much more settled in his job position. Good at most sports he attempts and could easily achieve a supervisor role within the company.

Paul T, Warehouse Operative and Driver

OMG Paul (number 5) joined the company from a local steel stockist where he drove delivery wagons. Built like a brick **** house he looks more like a doorman but in reality he's a gentle giant. Top lad liked by everyone and nothing is too much trouble for him no matter what he is given. Covers on the deliveries if Stevie is off and taken to the job like a duck to water.

Jed F, Warehouse Operative

Young Jed came to us after a welding company released him after a contract came to an end. Has now achieved his fork lift license which we hope he drives more carefully than his escapades in the recent company go-kart evening at a local track where he caused mayhem. Hard worker and doesn’t shirk any task given to him. Once he gets his habit of silly mistakes sorted he will become a big asset to the company as he certainly has potential.

Jack G, Warehouse Operative

Big Jack is certainly a colourful character and if you’ve been to Tenerife he's been to Elevenareef. Few issues in his probation periods which now seem to have been sorted after being given his contract and his order picking stats have really impressed. Moved to the new Dunston facility which although gives him a bit more travel than Swalwell has certainly seemed to have worked well for him.

Scott D, Warehouse Operative

Scott was successful in a recent advertisement for staff and is settling in well. Very experienced fork lift driver. Can not miss him arriving to work on his scooter and his bright yellow crash helmet. Early indications are he will be a very good addition to the team.

Rhys S, Warehouse Operative

Rhys has just recently joined us via some present employee recommendations and early signs are he will be a very good addition.

Michael M, Warehouse Operative Michael has joined us from a local well known high end fabrication company who went into liquidation and although in the main is employed for general warehouse operative duties a main part of his role is in the assembly of various posts and items from individual stock component items. Michael has been moved to the new Dunston facility which he really enjoys. Although Michael is a beer monster at socials he's also a bit of an athlete and sportsman as plays golf from a handicap of 5 and became his local golf club Champion of 2023. Michael then against all odds considering his handicap and the shots he was giving away to others only won the DC Golf Championship of 2024 with an incredible score of 41 points from a handicap of 5. Michael has fitted in so well it feels like he has worked here for years and is liked by everyone in the company.

Malcolm D, Senior Plastic Handrail Fitter & Maintenance Manager

Malcolm has been with the company for over 25 years and took over from Dave in the plastic handrail business by travelling around the UK fitting the plastic handrail capping. Due to his fabrication background and his general all round skills Mac looks after all the general maintenance required within the company and from time to time uses his fabrication skills to repair damages and construct certain products. Mac is now easing down in later years having Fridays off in his four day week.

Jack D, Plastic Handrail and CCTV Manager

Jack is the son of Malcolm and joined us when he left school. Jack expanded his role of fitting plastic handrail capping to being an integral part of the warehouse team able to apply himself to virtually any task required. Jack was given the added role of being in charge of the new CCTV at the sites and ensuring all were working correctly which he thrives at. Jack's main enjoyment is the diversity in the roles he performs. Jack now basically manages all aspects of the Plastic Handrail side of the business and he also has been rewarded with his own desk in the main office.