HUMANS OF AUTOMECH —————————-
This month, on Humans of Automech, we are featuring Joseph Lawrence Lewis, one of the first employees at the Automech Group.
Joseph reminisced about his journey with Automech, which has spanned for over three decades. Arriving in the UAE in 1988, he started his career working at a local construction company. He fondly relates how he was called in to work for Automech by the founders, “on December 16 1991, I was the first employee, along with the two founding partners, and now the company has more than 1000 people employed.”
During the initial years, Joseph was involved in different divisions within the company. He worked as a foreman and within the machinery division, and as he talks about these early years, he laughs and says, “if no one was available to do the job, I did it.” Currently, a sales and project supervisor, he says “I gained lots of knowledge in knowing the management at Automech, joining them, and growing with them… as the company grows, so I grow.”
When asked why he stayed with Automech for over 30 years, he shares with admirable humility, “the company feels like a family, management at Automech do not put any distinction between employee and the boss, there is no hierarchy… they are empathetic and understanding, the management is great.” He further relates “I want to keep taking things forward, I have been with Automech since inception and want to keep it growing. We started as a small company of 3 people, now we have a range of companies… the company’s growth keeps me going.”
He shares that his family would like for him to retire and move back to their home country; however, for the time being, Joseph wants to continue working. He shares some words of wisdom to prospective individuals who want to be part of the Automech Group, “work hard, if you lack something, ask… hard work, commitment, and a sense of responsibility are needed, and think of Automech as your own company.” When asked what he will remember most from his time with Automech after he retires, he gracefully says, “my relationship with Automech.”
