Employee Spotlight: John Burgin

At Schades Group, we take pride in the depth of expertise within our team across Europe. Each of our team members brings extensive knowledge and a strong understanding of the paper rolls and labels industry.

Schades has produced market-leading POS roll and label solutions in the UK for over 35 years. As Sales Manager for the UK and Ireland, John Burgin has a strong understanding of the market that we operate in, and the breadth of retail customers we provide solutions for.

In this spotlight, we sat down with John to discuss his background in the paper industry, his day-to-day role at Schades Group and what excites him about the future of the business.

My career started in the paper industry started about 25 years ago, when I worked for a till roll company and a main competitor of Schades Group at the time. I started in telesales and worked my way up through the sales organisation over 14 years.

After that, I moved into customer experience roles in technology businesses, focusing on how customers interact with products in store – bringing electronics to life, and thinking about how businesses could secure that experience. I then worked in RFID, focusing on processes and how products move through the supply chain or in retail environments to identify improvements and optimisations.

Those experiences together made me think about the next step in my career. I knew Jack Hugill (Managing Director, UK and Ireland) from my first role, and he got in touch about an available Sales Manager position at Schades.

I knew that the skills I had built over the last decade were very transferable to the paper roll industry – it just required a different approach, looking at processes and customers with a new perspective. But I was excited for the challenge that this new opportunity presented.

What really appealed to me was joining a market leader. Schades has products that are efficiently produced, ethically sourced, traceable, and sustainably made in Europe, which is important given the high energy intensity of production. Being part of a company that genuinely tries to do the right thing is something I am passionate about, and this felt aligned with Schades’ values.

I cover the UK and Ireland, so from Scotland down to the south coast of England, and all of Ireland. I was brought on board to focus on our major customers across the UK. With my background in major account management, it was a natural fit.

My role isn’t restricted to a particular industry – it’s about protecting existing customers and developing business, especially on the label side. I focus on retail, working either directly with retailers or through partners. We work with huge brands here in the UK including the country’s largest retailers, which I find particularly exciting!

The variety, without a doubt. I travel to many different locations during the week. Sales isn’t something most people consider as a career path when they’re at school, but it offers so many facets – it teaches you a lot about how to behave around people.

I have a background in languages, and I love applying that in commercial settings. I’m also analytical, so I enjoy the process side of the job – going into stores, understanding how they work, and identifying ways they could better serve their customers.

The role really plays to my strengths: developing relationships, building networks in large organisations, and helping them position themselves for long-term trading. I also appreciate that Schades is a European organisation. It gives me access to a wide range of people and experiences, helping me understand how different countries work. I’m starting to develop more widely across Europe, learning from colleagues and leveraging that experience.

All of our products meet real, everyday needs – they’re things consumers will always require. Knowing that there is a consistent demand for what we provide definitely makes the work feel more meaningful.

A major focus for me and the company more widely is the market for labels. We’re only just scratching the surface with labels, and there’s a huge opportunity ahead. Expanding this side of the business aligns perfectly with Schades Group’s long-term vision. It’s an exciting time, and I’m looking forward to helping our customers and the business grow together.

Want to know more about how Schades Group can support your business? Contact us today.