Flexibility, the highest levels of quality, and competitive pricing will continue to be the hallmarks of Jankel’s service to customers as the business heads into 2021. Together with a strategic review of the brand and ethos, Jankel is now welcoming a new team who bring leading industry knowledge, operational excellence and world-class experience to ensure Jankel is well positioned to maximise post COVID opportunities.

Spearheading the US team, we welcome John Kyler as President of Jankel Tactical Systems in South Carolina, USA. John joins the team after six years at JCB, bringing a wealth of strategic expertise in large defence programmes.

John will be replacing Cody Baker who, after three years leading the US team, is stepping down from day to day activities. During his tenure, Cody has positioned Jankel as a notable player in the US defence industry, and his considerable expertise and talents will remain with the company as he joins Jankel’s US holding company board.

Supporting John, we are delighted to be joined by Gary Farmer, who is well known to the industry and who brings significant fabrication and armoured vehicle construction expertise. As Jankel’s US Head of Operations, Gary’s manufacturing experience, together with his track record working on prime and first tier projects will be of considerable value to our existing and new customers.

Complementing Stateside operations, we are pleased to welcome Richard Semmens as Jankel’s UK Operations Director. Richard joins from Babcock (formally S. MacNeillie & Son) where he was MD of their Vehicle Engineering business. He is heading up a new Operations Management Team, where his extensive knowledge and skills will be welcomed by customers and staff alike.

Joining the team, Gary Farmer said “I have watched Jankel from afar and seen it grow in the US under the careful guidance of Cody and Andrew. I am delighted to be part of the team as it positions itself for the next phase of growth.”

Richard Semmens said “This is a dynamic team and place to work. 2021 will bring with it a new set of challenges and it is great to be working for an organisation which has the vision, talent and skills to bring solutions and customer service to greet those challenges head on.”

Commenting on the new organisation, Chairman Andrew Jankel said “There is no doubt the world will be a different place post COVID. I am delighted these exceptional individuals are joining our company, with all their personal experience, ideas and skills, to ensure we are well positioned to support our customers when they need it most. I would also like to thank Cody Baker for his dedicated service over the past three years, and look forward to his continued counsel as a key adviser to our Board.”

Richard Semmens

Richard Semmens – UK Operations Director

John Kyler

John Kyler – President, Jankel Tactical Systems