19/05/2026
Today, we're shining the spotlight on Paul O'Grady, our Operations Manager at Loughborough.
Paul joined our team in March 2025, with his role centred around ensuring that the site runs in the safest possible way to produce quality components for our customers to the schedule they require.
When asked what his day-to-day looks like, Paul says: "I know everybody says it, but no two days are the same. I can be taking visitors from Group around the site for a tour, or can be on the shop floor looking at projects to complete. Day-to-day, it's a case of managing any issues that crop up from the night shift (or previous shift), liaising with different departments to ensure smooth running, and working with my shift leaders to make sure everyone's doing what they should be, in the safest way possible.
"The best bit of my role has to be the variety, and the people. We make components here that vary in size, from 100mm to 3m diameters. The skill level that my teams have to make these components is something that should make everybody involved with Polypipe CGU very proud."
Paul's standout project so far? "A recent project in Leeds. This was a project made from 3m diameter pipe - the fittings made were huge! To see them being loaded onto a lorry and driving off was something to behold. We got lots of people out to see these before they left as they were so big, and they couldn't believe they were all being made by hand.
"Polypipe CGU is a great place to work. It's different everyday and there's always something to keep you on your toes. I'm looking forward to continuing my plastic pipe education - I can't believe it's only been a year!"
