LANG & POTTER
About Us
LANG & POTTER
About Us
Meet the Family
Founded in 1946 by Ronald B. Potter, Lang and Potter is an independent group of companies that has been owned and operated by the same family for three generations. Whilst each company has its own speciality and customer base, all are closely woven together with a united vision to deliver the highest standards in quality, sustainability, and customer service.
The family ethos is strong here; many employees stay for decades, gaining skills and experience and then passing it on to later generations of their own and their colleagues’ families as they too join the group.
Founded in 1946 by Ronald B. Potter, Lang and Potter is an independent group of companies that has been owned and operated by the same family for three generations. Whilst each company has its own speciality and customer base, all are closely woven together with a united vision to deliver the highest standards in quality, sustainability, and customer service.
The family ethos is strong here; many employees stay for decades, gaining skills and experience and then passing it on to later generations of their own and their colleagues’ families as they too join the group.
Lang and Potter Holdings Ltd
The Holdings company owns 100% of the shares in our two trading companies, both of which are rooted in our heritage skills of upholstery, but which have taken this in different directions over the years.
Lang and Potter Marine
The core of our business, based predominantly at our Plympton sites, focuses on our marine clients, with departments in Cutting, Sewing, Protection Covers, External Upholstery, Internal Upholstery, Panel work, and Helm Seats. Our marine flooring division is based in Oceansgate, at the heart of Plymouths waterfront.
Lang and Potter CT
The name of the company is a distant nod to our heritage as Coach Trimmers, but this company is now the home to a number of independent sectors including our Bespoke Division, Mattress & toppers department, and headboard upholstery. They work alongside our Joinery workshop, which is responsible for all our substrates, the Heavy Textiles team and our Glass operations are based at our Plympton sites.
Our Values
Sustainability
To become more environmentally friendly Lang and Potter have transitioned from gas-heated buildings to electric heating systems, our recently installed network of 546 solar panels now provides a peak power output of 234 kW. This works in tandem with our ongoing switch to LED lighting across all sites.
Circular Economy
The circular economy is a system based on the reuse of materials that would previously have become waste. Lang and Potter are active supporters of sustainability and participate in the circular economy to promote this approach.
We regularly donate surplus materials to a range of causes. The Arts University Plymouth uses fabric to create costumes for children and fashion items, South Devon College support future upholsterers in training and So Handmade in Devon provide products to the Handbags for Charity project. These products are sold to fund local causes, such as Surfers Against Sewage.
By selecting environmentally focused suppliers, designing processes that reduce waste, and supporting local projects, Lang and Potter continue to improve resource management, reduce our environmental impact, and stimulate the local economy.
Cyber Essentials
As a Cyber Essentials certified business, we uphold a comprehensive Cyber Security Policy and undergo annual independent audits to ensure the highest standards of IT security. Our proactive approach to safeguarding data and systems gives clients total confidence that they’re partnering with a trusted, responsible business.
MEET THE DIRECTORS
David Potter
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Lang and Potter has been an instrumental part of David’s life for many decades. Following his university graduation and the completion of his PhD, David joined his father, Ronald, at Lang and Potter for what was intended to be a short, temporary stint in 1973. This exposure to Lang and Potter’s operations gave David a clear vision of the potential the family company had, igniting a passion for the industry that would keep him at the company for over half a century.
Under David’s leadership, Lang and Potter has grown significantly in size, embracing opportunities and navigating change. The impression left on David by those early formative experiences with his father has never left him. Nurturing the strong family ethos that permeates Lang and Potter, David attributes the company’s success to its greatest asset — the staff.
Rachel Potter
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Rachel is a third-generation family member, as her Grandad started the company in 1946. Rachel initially attended Art College and joined the family business in 1995 as a Junior Estimator. Rachel has a wealth of experience in all areas of business and has been very hands-on during her 30 years of service. In December 2021, after the world’s longest apprenticeship, Rachel became MD and works alongside her dad David
Rachel is passionate about leading a healthy and vibrant company that values all staff members. Her main aim is to maintain the family culture of the business while ensuring that quality and service remain the leading goals.
Martin Freeman
FINANCE DIRECTOR
Whilst originally a linguist by training, Martin qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG, managing a diverse range of audit clients from legal practices to large manufacturers.
After a two-year spell as Finance and Administration Manager at Rothschilds in Guernsey, he returned to the UK and gained invaluable hands-on experience as Financial Controller for a SME manufacturing company, before working in business turnaround consultancy.
He joined the Lang & Potter Group in 2013, and has been Group Finance Director since 2016, helping oversee an exciting period of consolidation and growth.
Mark Robinson
MANUFACTURING DIRECTOR
Mark joined Lang and Potter in 2003 with a wealth of mechanical and engineering experience from industries as diverse as automotive, printing and bicycle retail.
Gaining exposure to a variety of departments across Lang and Potter, he quickly acquired an in-depth knowledge of manufacturing processes and was appointed Marine Despatch Manager in 2011, with a focus on delivering finished products to schedule and building a reputation for implementing efficient practices.
Promotion to the Senior Leadership Team followed in 2017, when he assumed the role of Marine Manufacturing Manager. Since 2021, Mark has held the position of Group Manufacturing Director, leading multiple production projects across the entire Lang and Potter Group and focusing on planning, resource management and efficiencies across multiple customer production lines.
Erica Henwood
COMMERCIAL & PURCHASING DIRECTOR
Erica began her career in Purchasing at Princess Yachts after earning a BA (Hons) in Human Geography and Economics. Over the past 25 years, she has held leadership roles across supply chain management, project management, operations, and customer service, supported by her CIPS qualifications. Since joining Lang & Potter in 2014, Erica has brought extensive expertise and strategic insight, contributing to the company’s continued growth and success.
Erica’s role spans both divisions at Lang and Potter, where she oversees the company’s Commercial Support teams. She prides herself on a professional & friendly approach and extends her wealth of knowledge to customers, supply chain as well as our own internal company. Leading with Project Management experience, Erica (& the team) can offer a service that goes beyond just placing an order, they are available to work alongside clients if necessary to help deliver the more complex projects.
Kim Hall
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
As a mature student Kim graduated from Plymouth University with a BA Hons (Accounting & Finance) and subsequently went on to gain CIMA qualifications and an MBA in Business Administration.
As a Chartered Management Accountant, Kim has worked in both SME and larger corporate companies across the South-West using her Finance knowledge, and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt training, to lead process improvement projects and focus on waste and quality to enhance efficiency and compliance.
Kim joined Lang and Potter in 2018 initially as a Project Manager and spent several years working in the production departments understanding how the business operated and implementing and streamlining processes.
Kim was promoted to Group Operations Director in 2021, and is now responsible for HR, Health & Safety, Quality and Compliance for the Group.
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