PETER MELIA – SALES MANAGER
5 minutes with Levolux’s Sales Manager for the Midlands & North of England.
1. Can you tell us a little about your work experience?
I started my career in construction back in 2007 where I spent 5 years at Portakabin producing quotes, drawing up floor plans and supporting the external sales team. I then spent nearly 6 years at Neaco Ltd. I came in as a trainee BDM and was quickly elevated to National Sales Manager where I headed up the sales and marketing team both in the UK and internationally. I joined Levolux in 2018 with a focus on growing the balcony business nationwide. The rapid growth of the balcony offering led to its rollout across the sales team and I now cover all products across the Midlands and North of England
2. How does Levolux differ from businesses you’ve worked in before?
The willingness to adapt to a customer’s needs. In previous roles the focus has been on applying a standardised range to each project. Whereas Levolux will happily develop an entirely new system for customers that wish to work with us.
3. What element do you enjoy most about Levolux?
The collaboration. Being able to work as a whole team to make sure our solution is well considered right from the outset. It helps my own personal growth but also gives customers confidence they are in safe hands.
4. What is it that interests you about the construction industry?
Every project is unique and poses its own challenges. Buildability can mean different things on different sites. So it’s immensely rewarding to find a problem I have never encountered before and then resolve it in the right way for all parties.
5. What is an interesting fact people don’t know about you?
I am a (pretty terrible) guitarist and once gigged with Arctic Monkeys
6. What do you do in your spare time?
I perform and direct plays and musicals. I am also an avid fan of the NFL and occasionally finish last in Triathlons
7. What makes you laugh?
Other people laughing. Nothing makes me laugh like seeing somebody else absolutely crease up.
8. What film sums up your character?
Is there any way to answer this without sounding obnoxious or cliché? Possibly Iron Man. I like to get into the nuts and bolts of a project and focus on the technical side of things and never miss the opportunity to make a joke.
9. What have you worked on that you are most proud of?
From a purely work perspective I would say Manchester Waters for Vermont. It is a big project that has been forced to alter specification from phase to phase due to changing regulations. As we are the only envelope sub-contractor to be kept on for each phase, we must be doing something right.
10. Most helpful advice you have been given?
Listen to what others need and make that your focus first and foremost. Too many people are more interested in what they have to say.
11. What is your favourite building in the world?
The York Minster. York has been my home for the last 19 years and that stunning piece of architecture never fails to wow me.
12. What’s been your favourite Levolux project so far? And why?
Embankment West for Sir Robert McAlpine. This was my first big project for Levolux and the whole process from the very first meeting through to delivery was first rate. The design was complicated, but everybody involved was laser focussed and intent on delivering a first-class end product.
The York Minster.
Levolux – Embankment West, Manchester.