Meet the team: Alireza Sabetzadeh

In our latest Meet the Team feature we talk to Sales Engineer, Alireza Sabetzadeh about his career to date, his role here at Ficep UK, and his predictions for the future of the industry.

Tell us about your background

I have a background in engineering. After completing high school, I went to Cyprus to study Mechanical Engineering and spent 10 months as an exchange student in America. Upon graduation, I returned to my home country and began working in the technical office of a company that designs and manufactures mechanical equipment.

Later, I decided to pursue a Master's degree in manufacturing at Warwick University, where I was accepted in 2010. After completing my Master's, I worked in production for a contractor company in my home country. Whilst there, I helped start the commercial department and established partnerships with European companies to bring their steel processing machinery to our market. Due to personal reasons, my family and I decided to move to the UK at the end of 2021 to start a new life.

What brought you to Ficep?

At the end of 2021 when I was looking for a job here in the UK, one job recruiter mentioned an opening at a business, and without even saying the name I could tell just from her description of its capabilities and the field they work in that it was Ficep UK. I knew of them from my previous jobs and knew they were very good in their field.

I was immediately interested in applying for the role because of how prestigious the business is and what a great reputation it has, so we arranged an interview with Chris Berriman. I was very honest about my lack of references here in the UK, but that I also thought I would be well-suited for the role. Thankfully he trusted me and gave me the chance to join them in January 2022, I was very grateful for the opportunity to challenge myself.

What does your role involve?

My position is Sales Engineer and the role is to sell capital equipment. The type of machines we sell often means a large capital investment and each sale is a big project that can take anywhere from a month to sometimes a year to complete. It is important to be there for your customer throughout this process. It is also important to visit existing customers and to find and make initial contact with potential new customers.

Additionally, to be able to explain how our machines can benefit our customer’s businesses, I keep myself up to date with new technologies and what is happening in the market, as well as what others are doing.

What do you enjoy about your role?

In my job every day is a new challenge. And for me, because I am new to the country, going and visiting people all around the UK gives me the chance to learn about all the different customer’s requirements and industries that are out there.

It has been a learning curve for me, I do not just meet new companies and people, I also find out what is happening locally and internationally with Ficep. I am always learning, which makes every day feel different.

What is the secret to your success?

I am proud of my honesty. I also try to be committed to whatever I am doing, and never only think about myself. This is a ship that everyone sits in, so whatever happens to one will happen to all of us.

Additionally, my background in engineering and production allows me to have an in-depth understanding of the products I am selling and their benefits. When a customer presents me with a challenge, I can provide them with the best solution based on my knowledge and expertise.

What does the future look like?

It is impossible to accurately predict what the future holds. However, based on recent trends, it is likely that the steel industry will continue to face labour shortages and rely more heavily on automation. This presents a promising opportunity for those who offer automation technology. Even small and medium-sized companies in the industry will likely invest in automation, leading to increased demand and a need for adaptation to better serve their needs.