Karl Thew - CEO

Karl started out his Catalyst Handling career in 1989 as a Reactor Entry Technician in his home country of New Zealand after many years self-employed in the plumbing industry.

In 1994 Cat Tech offered Karl a full-time role as Operations Manager of the UK Region, which soon lead to him becoming a General Manager and Director.

In 1997 Karl co-invented and patented a Tubular Loading Device as a unique technology for the company, he also pioneered the development of multi task DP systems for tubular process vessels.

Karl spearheaded the International expansion of Cat Tech opening the Cat Tech branch in Singapore in 2000, Thailand in 2004, China in 2006, and continues expanding in these countries to date whilst also continuing to develop our joint working relationships in the Middle East, South America, and the African Continent.

In 2012 Karl headed up the Management buyout of the Cat Tech’s International Regions, established Cat Tech International Ltd. and became the company’s CEO. Cat Tech International also purchased the rights to manufacture the Sentry 4, Breathing Apparatus Life Support system, and established Breathe Safe International Ltd as a CTI subsidiary company. Breathe Safe, achieved CE certification for the Sentry 4 System in 2016.

Karl is always looking for new and infinitive ideas that can help transform the way Cat Tech execute catalyst handling whilst also looking for new regions to expand.

Career Highlights
  • 1989 Reactor Entry Technician—Contract Resources NZ
  • 1991 Independent Project Manager—CR / Mourik / Cat Tech
  • 1994 Operations Manager Cat Tech UK
  • 1995 Cat Tech UK General Manager
  • 1997 Cat Tech Patented Tubular Loading Device
  • 2000 Cat Tech Singapore Opened
  • 2004 Cat Tech Thailand Opened
  • 2006 Cat Tech China Opened
  • 2012 Cat Tech Management By Out
  • 2012 Purchase Rights to Sentry 4/Breathe Safe International Ltd. formed
  • 2016 CE Approval Gained for Sentry 4 Life Support System
  • 2017 Cat Tech re-established in Houston USA

Bryan Shoemaker Snr- Cat Tech International Sales and Marketing Manager

Bryan started his career with Cat Tech in 1979 having just completed military service with the United States Navy.

He was recruited in Louisville, Kentucky with a group of other young ambitious individuals under the auspice that he would be relocated to a expansion division after completing training. Bryan was relocated to Houston Texas in August of 1980 to help start up the Southwest region for Cat Tech. During his tenure, Bryan has held posts in Houston, Tx - Corpus Christi, Tx - Baton Rouge, La - Jubail, Saudi Arabia and Singapore but he still calls Texas his home.

Career Highlights
  • 1979 -1981 Technician
  • 1982 -1984 Equipment Operator
  • 1984 -1986 Project Manager
  • 1987 -1989 Sales Manager
  • 1989 -1992 General Manager
  • 1992 -1998 Vice President International Operations
  • 1998 -2002 General Manager of Operations ( JV- SBG-PCM)
  • 2002 -2009 Vice President Southwest/Caribbean Region
  • 2009 -2011 Director Business Development (Clean Harbors)
  • 2011 -2013 International Operations Manager (Altair Strickland)
  • 2013-2017 Head of TFS Middle East (Sulzer Chemtech)
  • 2017-2018 General Manager Asia Pacific
  • 2018- Vice President US Operations

Richard Baxter - Chief Operating Officer

In 2001 Richard gained a BSc Under Graduate degree at Lancaster University in Business Studies, by 2004 Richard graduated from Liverpool University with a MSc Masters Degree.

Richard took a change in career and started with Cat Tech in 2012 as UK Sales Manager, during this time he worked alongside our European based customers to drive the region through projects from start to finish.

Richard also gained experience on confined space entry, Inert entry and console training in his first year.

Richard headed up our specialist Dense Loading technology department and progressed into becoming one of Cat Tech’s Master Dense Loading trainers. Richard now overseas our specialist team of Dense Loading technicians operating worldwide.

In 2014, Richard became Cat Tech Europe’s Regional Manager and with a hands on approach has driven Cat Tech’s profile forward and developed the companies presence in the European Catalyst market and helping to double annual revenue.

Alongside the European market, Richard has also helped develop Cat Tech into South America, Africa and the Middle East, working with some of our biggest clients to date.
In 2020, Richard became Chief Operating Officer for Cat Tech International, heading up our European, US, and Asia Operations.

Career Highlights
  • 2001-2004 Lancaster University Business School BSc Undergraduate Degree
  • 2004-2006 Liverpool University with a MSc Masters Degree.
  • 2006-2012 Qualified Chartered Surveyor
  • 2012-2014 Cat Tech Sales Manager
  • 2014-2019 Cat Tech Regional Manager
  • 2015 Dense Load Technician
  • 2017 Master Dense Load Trainer
  • 2020 Present Cat Tech Chief Operating Officer

Joe Walker - Finance Director

Joe’s career started when he Graduated with BA hons, in accounting in 1996 to which he then worked towards obtaining his professional qualifications by 2001.

Joe been involved in manufacturing/construction businesses all of his career his specific focus was on the commercial side of business and cash management/improvement.

Achievements gained in ‘turnaround’ situations changing unprofitable company’s to profit improvement, via cost reductions, rationalisation and improved efficiencies and value added projects.

Joe joined Cat Tech in 2015 helping alongside the team to break back out into the US market.

Career Highlights
  • 1996 - 2001 BA hons in Accounting
  • 2001 - 2002 Obtained Professional Qualifications
  • 2002 - 2015 Many years of experience in the manufacturing/construction industry
  • 2015 - Cat Tech CFO

Matt Bellamy - Cat Tech Europe Ltd, Regional Manager

Matthew’s passion for environmental studies formed the basis of his career.  After studying at Hull university his interest in the environment & waste management took him to the local council where an understanding of domestic and commercial waste management inspired him to look further into the private sector.

This has since developed into a career in providing industrial site services and hazardous waste management.   Thanks to Matthew’s ability to learn and adapt he has been able to quickly progress his career through from a local sales role to now a European Regional Manager at Cat Tech Europe Ltd.

Along the way he has honed his knowledge in all aspects of industrial cleaning such as tank cleaning, high pressure water jetting, automated heat exchanger extraction and cleaning and more lately into the unique world of catalyst handling services.  His career path has also included working for a catalyst handling competitor, but this knowledge has been rapidly expanded upon since his time at Cat Tech Europe Ltd whilst developing his skill set even further.

Matt was first attracted to the role at Cat Tech due to the opportunities for international travel and a unique market place which differentiates itself from the day-to-day industrial services sector due to the unique hazards involved, quality control requirements and professional planning and service delivery.  Since joining Cat Tech, Matt has helped to develop existing and new client relationships and now manages the European regional assets.  

Not only does he have a passion for providing a high level of customer service but he relishes building upon and creating new customer relationships.

Career Highlights
  • 2000 - 2003 Graduated BA Hons EnvironmentalStudies
  • 2005 - 2007 North Lincolnshire Council (WasteServices Department)
  • 2007 - 2012 Veolia ES Industrial Services Division(Regional Sales & Project Manager)
  • 2012 - 2016 Catalyst Handling & HeatExchanger Services (BDM)
  • 2016 - 2019 Acumen Waste Industrial SiteServices (BDM & General Manager)
  • 2019 - 2021 Commercial Manager, Cat Tech EuropeLtd.
  • 2021 - present European Regional Manager, CatTech Europe Ltd.

Kelvin Kok - Cat Tech Asia Pacific Pte, Regional Manager

Upon graduating with mechanical engineering degree from University of Leeds in 2008, Kelvin started his career as a mechanical design engineer specializing in pressure vessels and heat exchangers.

In 2014, Kelvin moved on to regional operation management (APAC) for TDW taking the lead in 3 service centers in Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia.

Kelvin joined Cat Tech in 2019 as Operations Manager where he gained experience in catalyst handling activities on site before moving to the Regional Manager position where he manages and control the resources in the Singapore region.

Career Highlights
  • 2005 – 2008 BEng. Mech. Eng. (Hons.) University of Leeds
  • 2008 – 2014 Mechanical Design Engineer
  • 2014 – 2018 Operations Supervisor/Project Manager in TDW
  • 2019    Regional Manager Cat Tech Asia Pacific Pte Ltd

Bryan Shoemaker Jnr - Regional Manager USA

Between 2002 and 2006 Bryan attended university courses at Texas State and San Jacinto College while working in Commercial and Residential Construction.

In 2006, Bryan opened Horizon Construction and Remodelling company to service the Greater Houston, TX area.

By 2009, Bryan decided to enter the Petrochemical Industry with Cat Tech/Clean Harbors. He started as a Reactor Entry Technician working hard to learn the craft and quickly earned a Supervisory role for the effort. During his time with the company, Bryan also became a Certified Occupational Safety Specialist.

At the end of 2014 Bryan was offered a position as a Site Safety Supervisor for Qualspec. There he and the site team achieved multiple OSHA VPP recertifications and even won the President’s Contractor Safety Award for global recognition with the client. In 2016 Qualspec was purchased by Team Industrial Services, and by 2017 Bryan had earned an API 510 Pressure Vessel Inspector’s certification plus was promoted to Branch Safety Manager for Inspection and Heat Treating.

In 2019 Bryan returned to his roots as Cat Tech was re-entering the US market in the role of Operations Manager. Not long after Bryan was promoted to Regional Manager to oversee business in the Americas and Caribbean. Since entering the new role he has been certified as an NCCER Boilermaker to help his team better learn the craft.

Career Highlights
  • 2002-2006 Attended Texas State University and San Jacinto College while working Commercial/Residential Construction
  • 2006-2009 Started Horizon Construction and Remodelling company
  • 2009-2014 Entered the Petrochemical Industry with Cat Tech/Clean Harbors. Certified Occupational Safety Specialist
  • 2014-2019 Qualspec /Team- Safety Manager API 510 Pressure Vessel Cert.
  • 2019 Cat Tech Operations Manager
  • 2019 Cat Tech Regional Manager. NCCER Boilermaker Certification

Wuttichai Tapramart - Cat Tech Thailand, Regional Manager

Wuttichai has been employed by Cat Tech since January 2010. Whilst working with Cat Tech Wuttichai has gained experience in the field of Catalyst handing and associated activities by working on site.
Wuttichai manages and controls all resources within the Thailand region.

Career Highlights
  • 2009-2009 Boontam Engineering and Construction Co.Ltd. (BSP)
  • 2009-2009 Vattanapaisan Engineering Co.Ltd. (VPE)
  • 2009-2010 K-THAI Construction Co.Ltd.
  • 2010-2013 Project Manager Cat Tech Services (Thailand) Ltd.
  • 2013- Regional Manager Cat Tech Services (Thailand) Ltd.

Marine Liu - Cat Tech Services Shanghai Ltd, Regional Manager

Career Highlights
  • 1996 BA in Foreign Trade, Hefei University of Technology
  • 2002 First Class Honours Degree in Accounting, Oxford Brookes University
  • 2003 ACCA Affiliate
  • 2004-2008 Senior consultant SBA Stone Forest
  • 2008 till now, Regional Manager, Cat Tech Services (Shanghai) Ltd

97+

Countries worked in

6

Global locations

1,000+

Projects since MBO in 2012

310+

years of Senior
Management Experience

Global reach,
local presence

Design and develop our own CE approved Life Support Equipment
Dedicated project planning and logistics
Working safely globally in remote locations
Specialists in safe systems of work in Nitrogen environments (IDLH)
Proud to have one of the best safety records in our industry

Do you require one of our specialist catalyst services?