Empowering women in manufacturing: Kewell Converters celebrates International Women’s Day

Shaping the future: Kewell Converters celebrates women in the workplace

International Women’s Day marks an important moment for organisations worldwide to affirm their dedication to gender equity and to celebrate the contributions of women in all fields. At Kewell Converters, a leader in foam conversion in the manufacturing industry, International Women’s Day is an opportunity to reflect on the integral role women play within our family-run business.  Let’s take a closer look at the experiences of two inspiring women breaking the mould at Kewell — Lucy Chandler and Chloe Newbury.

Lucy Chandler – Production Operative in the finishing and assembling department

Lucy Chandler joined Kewell Converters with a leap of faith. Motivated by her partner Oli, who enjoyed his role at the company, she decided to build her career here. Kewell quickly stood out for their balance between professional demands and personal life.

“Kewell Converters are very good at working around our family life, allowing us to take on separate jobs. The most rewarding part is the bonus incentive schemes when targets are met, which pushes us to work harder while feeling rewarded when the job is done,” Lucy says.

Lucy’s day-to-day work in the finishing team allows her to oversee the final foam products we produce for our customers, ensuring it meets our high-quality standards. Her role demands both efficiency and precision, and she has enhanced her skills significantly, especially in chamfering—a specialised technique integral to some urgent projects.

Lucy acknowledges the confidence and expertise she has gained through training and team support. She is proud to say that Kewell Converters encourages teamwork and fosters an environment where every question is welcomed, ensuring a supportive work culture. Finding this balance between your personal and professional life has been invaluable as a mother to a young child.

“Women can work just as hard as men—there should be no stereotype about only men working in factories because it’s physical. At Kewell Converters, you need confidence, but there’s always help available,” Lucy concludes.

Her story illustrates how Kewell Converters actively empower women to thrive in what remains a male-dominated industry, not just by providing training but also by fostering an equitable workplace where performance and skill are prioritised over gender norms.

Chloe Newbury – Sales Admin and Customer Care

Chloe Newbury brings a fresh perspective to the operational side of Kewell Converters as part of the sales admin and customer care team. She highlights how supportive and close-knit the company is, describing it as akin to “a big family” where everyone collaborates and looks out for each other.

One of the most fulfilling aspects of Chloe’s role is witnessing the lifecycle of a customer order. Her job begins with being the first point of contact, promptly acknowledging orders and facilitating communication between customers and internal departments. With regular check-ins, Chloe keeps customers informed on progress, gaining and relaying feedback as necessary.

“Seeing customers happy with the final product we produce is so rewarding. It’s amazing to watch items pass through the production stages of the company and see the high quality work everyone has achieved,” Chloe shares.

Kewell Converters has also helped Chloe grow into her role immensely. From managing direct communication with customers to visiting them in person and attending exhibitions, her confidence in technical foam knowledge has grown. She works closely with other departments, such as production and management, collaborating tirelessly to meet deadlines, solve challenges, and ensure customer satisfaction.

“Manufacturing is often viewed as male-dominated, but at Kewell Converters, we have a great team of women. Jobs are available for both men and women equally. Women should be recognised in every industry, and there should never be a noticeable difference in pay, skill, or knowledge,” Chloe states emphatically.

Her perspective highlights how Kewell Converters drive equity at every level, empowering women to succeed not only in various roles but also as leaders and change-makers in their fields.

Reflecting on gender equity at Kewell Converters

At Kewell Converters, International Women’s Day is not just a one-day celebration but a year-round commitment to acknowledging and supporting women throughout the organisation. From the shop floor to sales and beyond, women like Lucy and Chloe exemplify how we integrate inclusiveness, skill development, and work-life balance into a thriving workplace culture.

Want to learn more about Kewell Converters? Visit our history page to explore our brand story or read our corporate social responsibility policy.