Employee Spotlight – August 2025
Home »Meet Dave Wootley
Machine Shop Team Leader
Global Headquarters, Leek, Staffordshire
At Key Plant Automation, our success is powered by the expertise and dedication of our people. Each month, we shine a light on one of the talented individuals behind our world-class welding and manufacturing solutions.
For August, we’re proud to feature Dave Wootley, our Machine Shop Team Leader, based at Key Plant Automation’s Global Headquarters in Leek, Staffordshire.
“There’s nothing more satisfying than being given a goal or an end product and figuring out how to make it happen. The best feeling comes when everything fits together perfectly, especially when it seemed unlikely at the start.”
Dave leads the day-to-day operations of our machine shop, working closely with his team to maintain a smooth, efficient, and highly productive department. His role also involves planning and coordinating projects to ensure we continue to deliver the highest quality products to our customers.
With over 21 years in the engineering industry, Dave has built extensive experience machining and working on components across multiple sectors. Holding an HNC in Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering, he joined Key Plant Automation in 2023 and quickly became an integral part of our manufacturing operations. His leadership, combined with his hands-on approach, continues to drive innovation and excellence on the shop floor.
5 Questions
with Dave
1. Favourite product or equipment to work on? (And why?)
You’ll often find me in the machine shop working on the lathe, machining a wide variety of parts. I really enjoy being hands-on with the equipment, and even after so many years in the industry, it’s still rewarding to pick up new skills or discover better ways to do things.
2. One tool or machine you couldn’t live without?
Everyone in the factory knows I’m never without my 6” rule and my trusty little file in my pocket. It’s incredible how much you can achieve with such simple tools, and I feel completely lost without them.
3. What do you enjoy most about working in the industry?
There’s nothing more satisfying than being given a goal or an end product and figuring out how to make it happen. The best feeling comes when everything fits together perfectly, especially when it seemed unlikely at the start.
4. A project you’re most proud of?
The large-scale turnover fixture we manufactured for a highly valued client in the wind tower and renewables sector stands out as a project I’m incredibly proud of. This complex build required a tremendous team effort from start to finish. The sheer size of the finished structure, and more importantly knowing it will play an important part in aiding the customer’s production, is both exciting and rewarding. It represents another outstanding achievement in Key Plant’s growing portfolio of innovative special purpose solutions.
5. Go-to song in the workshop, office, or car?
Insomnia by Faithless. It always gives you a boost when it comes on the radio in the machine shop – and as a dad of four, it’s quite fitting too!
6. Bonus question: Tea or coffee?
Coffee 100%… I don’t think you can be an Engineer if you don’t drink coffee!
Stay Tuned!
We’ll be back on the first Tuesday of September with another Employee Spotlight – shining a light on the incredible people behind Key Plant Automation and Key Plant Welderentals.
Don’t miss it!
