International - a jolly good thing
I get two big fillips from the business this month :
The Team as Global Trouble-Shooters
“if you have a problem in the Middle East, call the guys at McFT.”
That’s a real buzz; we’ve previously been to Amman in Jordan and Bahrain to carry out jobs ; this month it’s a couple of technicians off to Beirut, one to Jeddah – and another couple to Muscat in Oman. (Dubai to Jeddah or Beirut is like London to Istanbul – not just down the road). All for different customers. That’s some endorsement. Not just of technical prowess but of value for money – sending our guys on a plane is the most cost-effective way to achieve a proper resolution. That’s the difference.
A world perspective
I don’t have an issue with having government being closer and more accountable to the people – difficult to see how Europe fulfils that challenge – but I do have an issue with parochial thinking. And great to have the opportunity to continue to broaden our team’s horizons :
Fan extraction of solid fuel grill into street - come over here with your fancy English ways? Sod the neighbours, we're compliant....
Have wanted to go back and bike the Ho Chi Minh highway through Vietnam since last visit in 2012 – and four of the team were also keen for the challenge – James (Sales), Alex (Fridge), Will (Ops Mgt) and Dan (Service Desk). So a drop into Dubai for the newbies to understand our operation and have a social evening out with contemporaries (thankyou Mr Jan) before flying on to Saigon (HCMC).
Guys taken aback a bit at crossing the road – don’t look, just walk – seriously. An evening visit to Bui Vien and then on via Ben Thanh to the Grand Café overlooking the river; on the following morning by plane to Danang – pick up bikes and the adventure starts with James ditching twice on the first day – before a fantastic ride up over the coastal pass into the old capital Hué. A great hotel – La Perle – interesting dinner at Hanh – each dish explained and demonstrated – not all meeting with approval!
A visit to the old citadel then a glorious ride up to Hong Quang and the Ho Chi Minh trail – traffic and population thinning out as we climb. And on to Khe Sangh – scene of fierce fighting in 1968, now a sleepy backwater. Following day to Phong Nha with a great run through and into stunning scenery – some of the route within 500m of the border with Lao – another time maybe. Morning visit to caves and on to Pho Chau – and a great reception – cold beers by the pool – and evening BBQ.
Off to Cuc Phuong National Park, relaxed evening talking to Dutch bikers heading south – and taking a lot longer than us – before visit to local primate sanctuary and 7500yr old cave. And so to Hanoi – where the traffic is truly, truly mental. Frustratingly, faced with oncoming traffic in my lane, dropped the bike 100 yards from final destination but no harm done. Great to make it with all in one piece, fab weather, great roads (UK could learn something), friendly hospitable people, amazing countryside – interesting food – we were offered chicken one day which thought had paws…
For myself, a useful visit to Saigon’s Food & Hotel Show and Hofex in Hong Kong. Yes, there are a small number of Asian manufacturers we don’t see in the UK but 90% and more are the familiar European and US brands. (although, granted, some may be made in China!). So we know this stuff and the people who make it.
And whilst the Brits are out exploring, there’s more internationalism planned back at base : whilst Mike finishes his stint and heads back to Boston, we’re recruiting for the next US intern – and working to develop a relationship with Howest in Kortrijk in Belgium (twinned with Maidenhead) to see if we can get Belgian students alongside our US, Canadian and Dutch co-workers.
“Love other human beings as you would love yourself”
“Uncle” Ho
And, whilst ardent patriot, there truly was not a more global traveller