A Legacy of Leadership: Celebrating Simon Blantern’s 47 Years with Bodycote
Marking nearly five decades of innovation, mentorship, and excellence in the global heat-treatment industry.
(Editors Note; In the attached photo Simon is second from the right. This photo is from a story we did in 2021 entitled “Bodycote/Rolls Royce, Derby, UK”. Another related story can be found at “Commercial Heat Treater “Bodycote” Bets on Zero Carbon Emissions“).
“After an extraordinary 47-year career with Bodycote, Simon Blantern will retire at the end of 2025, marking the conclusion of a journey that has left an enduring mark on both the company and the global heat-treatment community.
Simon’s career began in the late 1970s, when the heat-treatment industry looked very different from today. Over the decades that followed, he witnessed – and helped drive – tremendous transformation in technology, customer expectations, and global manufacturing standards. Rising through the ranks to Senior Vice President Operations, ADE Europe, Simon became known for his integrity, deep technical knowledge, and relentless commitment to customer satisfaction.
“Simon has always been the person people turned to when something needed to be done right,” says George Toshev, General Manager at Bodycote’s Stillington UK facility. “His ability to balance commercial acumen with hands-on understanding of operations made him a trusted voice both internally and with customers.”
Expanding Capabilities, Building Trust; Among Simon’s most significant contributions was his role in strengthening Bodycote’s European footprint. He played a central part in developing investment strategies that led to new facilities in key manufacturing hubs, expanding the company’s capacity and supporting customers locally.
Simon also helped shape long-term partnerships with some of the world’s most advanced engineering companies. Through his leadership, Bodycote established enduring contracts that reinforced its reputation for reliability, quality, and technical excellence.
Champion of People and Progress; While Simon’s business achievements are impressive, his legacy within Bodycote extends even deeper. A passionate advocate for people development, he mentored many of the company’s current leaders – encouraging a culture of collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
Earlier in his career, Simon helped implement initiatives that transformed workplace culture and engagement, including programs that earned one of Bodycote’s UK operations the Investors in People recognition – a milestone achievement in the 1990s that underscored the company’s commitment to its workforce.
Industry Advocate; Beyond his role at Bodycote, Simon devoted significant energy to advancing the heat-treatment industry as a whole. He served on the Management Committee of the Contract Heat Treatment Association (CHTA) for 15 years, including a term as Chairman, where he represented the industry in government discussions and championed fair policies for manufacturers across the UK.
Resilience and Dedication; Throughout his tenure, Simon led through challenging times – including major structural changes and global disruptions. His pragmatic approach and focus on people ensured continuity, stability, and resilience, even during periods of significant uncertainty.
As Simon prepares for his well-earned retirement, colleagues across Bodycote and the broader industry reflect on a career that exemplifies dedication, excellence, and heart.
“It’s not just what Simon accomplished,” said Heidi McNary, President, Global ADE and Surface Technology at Bodycote, “but how he did it – with integrity, humility, and the respect of everyone he worked with.”
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