Get to know the faces behind the orange logo! We’re thrilled to introduce a member who has been with us since the very beginning: Meet Ray!
#TeamPVL Profile: A quick introduction
It’s time to meet Ray, a true PVL legend! He is one of our longest-serving employees, celebrating over 26 years with us. Ray was there at the very start, helping Nick and Anna lay the company’s foundations. Known for his dedication, Ray has been in the workforce since he was 14!
When asked about what makes him a valuable team member, he says: “I have always been funny (because I’m great).” That combination of experience and good humour is exactly why we rely on him.
What excites you most days here at PVL?
Winding people up! (I’m just kidding!) Really, it’s that after all this time, I still enjoy what I do, especially when I’m in the factory.
Having been with the company for over 26 years, what's the biggest change you've witnessed, and what has remained a constant that you're most proud of?
It’s amazing to see how much the company has grown! I’ve been here since the start, watching us expand from a small bespoke business into the largest supplier of emergency vehicle livery. I’m proud to have helped Nick and Anna get PVL off the ground. What’s more, it’s been a privilege to inspire and train some of our fantastic fitters like Dan (our fitting manager) and Hartley (a fitting technician).
If you could swap jobs with anyone in the company for a day, who would it be and why?
I would swap with a younger, thinner and fitter version of Ray
Out of all the projects and moments you've been a part of over the years, what are you most proud of, and why?
Oversee jobs & projects. I’ve had the chance to install kits in Abu Dhabi, Slovenia, Trinidad and Libya all amazing places and to be honest, I love the responsibility and the way it forces you out of your comfort zone. This job is all about learning and taking ownership, making sure you have everything for the job because you can’t call up from Bahamas (where I’ve also installed kits) saying ‘oh some text is missing!’ It’s down to you on those types of projects.
Looking back over two decades, what is the most valuable lesson you've learned here, and what advice would you give to someone just starting out in their career at PVL?
That is a team effort. Everything that we do takes everybody’s involvement. And from a fitting perspective, because that is where I come from.... everybody makes mistakes. We are only human, so we need to help each other and share knowledge. I have been in the signage industry for over 41 years, and I use to remember people who didn’t share their knowledge because of the old attitude of “I’ll lose my job”, but that’s not the case; we need everybody to share to grow together.
If you could have dinner with ANY person (alive or dead), who would it be and why?
Craig or Nick Broom or anyone in a senior management that has the company card!
What's the biggest misconception people have about vehicle livery?
Our team makes it look easy! But that’s not the case, as it takes years of experience and practice. Like if you watch Dan (our fitting manager) wrap, he makes it seem easy.
And another misconception is that people don’t know how expensive the material is. From reflective material and wrap, these products from 3M and Avery are creating products that are evolving to make their products better for us to give to our customers. Our team understand, get training on these products to give you the best results.
What has surprised you most about PVL all these years?
That everyone is willing add something to the brand, especially over these last few years. Having nice fresh prospective from new people adding to the business.
