NEWS | Kyle Alexander Celebrates 20 Years with Keystone Group

Kyle Alexander, General Manager of IG Masonry Support, celebrates an incredible milestone – 20 years with the Keystone Group. To mark the occasion, we sat down with Kyle to reflect on his career journey, revisiting standout projects, key achievements, and the memorable moments that have shaped his two decades with the business.

Q. Looking back over your 20 years within the Keystone Group, what has been your proudest achievement within the company?

A. Looking back over the past 20 years, I think my proudest achievement has been the opportunity to grow alongside the company and play a part in its success. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how far the business has come and to know that, in some way, I’ve contributed to that journey. I’m also particularly proud of the relationships I’ve built over the years. The products and projects are important, but for me, the people have always been at the heart of the business. Working with colleagues, customers and partners, and seeing people develop and succeed, has been one of the most satisfying parts of my career.

Q. What’s one lesson you’ve learned in your career that you think has been key to your success within the Keystone Group?

A. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that you never stop learning. Over 20 years, the industry, the company and the way we work have all changed significantly, so being willing to adapt, listen and learn from the people around you has been incredibly important. I also believe that building strong relationships and treating people with respect goes a long way. Success is rarely down to one individual. It comes from working together, supporting each other and having a shared commitment to doing the best job possible.

Q. How have you seen the company evolve over the past two decades, and what has been your fondest memory?

A. The group has evolved enormously over the past 20 years. I’ve seen huge growth in the group, changes in products and processes, new opportunities and, of course, many new faces along the way.  What has impressed me the most is that, despite that growth and change, there has continued to be a strong sense of teamwork and a real focus on people.

It would be difficult to choose just one fondest memory because there have been so many over the years.   For me, though, the memories that stand out the most are the people and the shared experiences – celebrating successes, overcoming challenges together and being part of a team that has supported one another throughout the journey.

Q. What excites you most about the future within IG Masonry Support and the wider Keystone Group?

A. What excites me most is the opportunity for continued growth and innovation. The industry is constantly changing, and there are always new challenges to respond to, but that also creates new opportunities. IG Masonry Support and the wider Keystone Group have built strong foundations, and I’m excited to see how the business continues to develop while maintaining the values and culture that have made it such a great place to work.

After 20 years, it’s rewarding to look back at everything that has been achieved, but it’s equally exciting to look ahead and see what the next chapter will bring. I’m proud to have been part of the journey so far and look forward to continuing to contribute to the company’s future success.

Andy Neal, Managing Director of IG Masonry Support, added: “Since we began developing the business back in 2012, Kyle has been instrumental in shaping who we are today. His dedication and consistent hard work speak for themselves, and this milestone is one we’re delighted to mark alongside him. I’d personally like to thank Kyle for his efforts and loyalty to our business.”

NEWS | Paul Graham Celebrates 20 Years with Keystone Group

Paul Graham, Director within IG Masonry Support, celebrates an incredible milestone – 20 years with the Keystone Group. To mark the occasion, we sat down with Paul to reflect on his career journey, revisiting standout projects, key achievements, and the memorable moments that have shaped his two decades with the business. 

 

Q. Looking back over your 20 years within the Keystone Group, what has been your proudest achievement within the company?

A. There’s been a lot of great moments, but the last few years, being involved in our expansion into North America, that’s definitely up there. It was a big challenge, but to play a key part in getting IG Masonry Support established over there has been a huge highlight for me. When I think back to where we started, it’s amazing to see how far we’ve come.

 

Q. What’s one lesson you’ve learned in your career that you think has been key to your success within the Keystone Group?

A. For me, it’s all about being adaptable. Things change so quickly – new products, new markets, new management or new teams. You’ve got to be willing to learn and adjust. And persistence too – nothing worth doing comes easy, but if you keep at it, you’ll get there

 

Q. How have you seen the company evolve over the past two decades, and what has been your fondest memory?

A. The company has completely transformed. From one site and a small team to multiple sites, loads of new products, and now a presence in different continents – it’s been incredible to watch. My favourite memories are those big milestone moments – like opening new facilities or getting our first order in London or Toronto or New York. Those are the times when you stop and think, “Wow, we’re really doing this.”

 

Q. If you could go back to your first day in the job, what advice would you give your younger self?

A. I’d tell myself to have a bit more confidence and not be afraid to jump in at the deep end. The best learning comes when you push yourself, and looking back, I’d say take those opportunities sooner rather than later. Keystone Group has so many opportunities –  my advice to anyone who wants to develop or progress in the Group – put your hand up and jump in with two feet!

 

Q. What excites you most about the future within IG Masonry Support and the wider Keystone Group?

A. Definitely the opportunities ahead. We’ve got innovation, sustainability, and a real ambition to develop further into Europe and North America with all our Group products. It feels like there’s so much still to come, and being part of a team that’s shaping the industry both here and across the world is really exciting.

 

Owen Coyle, CEO of the Steel Division, Keystone Group, said:  

“Any major milestone or achievement in the Keystone Group was usually carved out by a small group of focused and dedicated people- Paul has been one of those people, on a number or projects and major milestones. A great asset to the team and The Keystone Group.” 

 

Andy Neal, Managing Director of IG Masonry Support, added: “Paul’s dedication and leadership have been central to the growth and success of IG Masonry Support. His commitment to excellence and innovation continues to make a lasting impact, and we’re proud to celebrate this milestone with him.” 

NEWS | Marcus Emmerson returns as National Specification Manager

IG Masonry Support and Keyfix are delighted to announce the return of Marcus Emmerson, who rejoins the business as National Specification Manager.

Marcus has a long-standing history with IG Masonry Support, having first joined the company in 2014 as a Technical Engineer. Over the next nine years, he progressed through roles as Technical Sales Manager and Estimating Manager, before broadening his career with leadership and specification positions elsewhere in the construction industry.

Most recently, Marcus worked as a Technical Sales Executive for EH Smith Architectural Solutions, where he applied over a decade of experience to deliver innovative and bespoke façade solutions for a wide range of projects. In that role, he collaborated closely with architects, clients, and contractors to balance design vision, budget, and technical requirements, while ensuring the best possible product and service solutions.

His return to IG Masonry Support and Keyfix marks an exciting step as he takes on responsibility for national specification development and support, working with architects and specifiers to ensure the right masonry support solutions are integrated at the earliest design stages.

Marcus commented: “It’s great to be back and see so many familiar faces as well as plenty of new ones! I’m excited to get started and drive the specification team forward.”

With a proven track record in technical sales, estimating, and specification, combined with his passion for enhancing both the aesthetics and performance of buildings, Marcus brings valuable expertise and industry insight back to IG Masonry Support and Keyfix.

NEWS | Paul Graham promoted to Director

IG Masonry Support, part of The Keystone Group, has promoted Paul Graham from General Manager to Director, to further strengthen IG’s offering to its valued customers across the UK and Ireland.

Paul has been an integral member of the Keystone Group team for over 19 years, starting as a Technical Sales Engineer for Keystone Lintels in 2005. Over the years, he has been a driving force behind the success of the company, from project managing major renovations at our Cookstown and Swadlincote sites to leading innovative product development.

In 2012, Paul took on a new challenge as Special Project Team Lead, exploring new product opportunities in both the commercial and residential sectors. This led him to a full-time role in Swadlincote in 2013, where he was instrumental in the launch of IG Masonry Support.

Paul’s career trajectory has been characterised by his continuous passion for innovation and customer service. He said: “My journey with the Keystone Group has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve been exposed to many different roles and gained significant experience in both the Keystone Lintels and IG Masonry Support businesses.

“What’s kept me here for all these years is the commitment the company has for its people and customers. The company’s continuous drive to deliver outstanding products and services to the construction industry means no two days are the same and we’re always working on the next exciting development.

“Taking on this new role, I’m committed to building on our success and ensuring that IG Masonry Support remains at the forefront of the industry and we continue delivering outstanding value to our customers.”