peter-fosterMosca is one of the world’s leading suppliers of strapping solutions, with forty years of experience and a global reputation for innovation. Delivering high-quality specialised solutions to a range of markets – including print, corrugated, timber and industrial – the Mosca name is synonymous with fast throughputs, reliable performance and user-friendly operation.

Managing Director Peter Foster has over 40 years of experience in the strapping industry. In 2000, he founded Mosca Direct, Mosca’s wholly owned UK subsidiary, which supplies Mosca equipment, servicing, spare parts and strapping materials .

What’s the most exciting thing about your job?

Seeing customers genuinely benefit from Mosca technology and seeing the business grow to over £5,000,000 turnover in 2007, which is a credit to the 24 people that the business now employs.

Who inspired you most in your career?

No one person in particular, but I was impressed by people who knew their markets, their customers and their products, not to mention their competitors.

These were the people that were my role models. I also learned what not to do (which is almost as important as what to do), from people who didn’t listen and were constantly looking for a short cut to big bucks without actually learning very much.

If you were an item in a warehouse, what would you be?

It would have to be a Mosca Pallet Strapping machine as it makes the unstable stable and the insecure secure and these are good things to achieve.

What brought you to this industry?

I just wanted to get into selling. I lived in the right place at the right time, accepted the salary offered and I have been hooked ever since.

If you had it do it all over again, what would you do different?

Nothing. That doesn’t mean I haven’t made mistakes but it is part of the learning and growing process it makes us what we are.

What’s your favourite pastime?

The simple pleasures are the best, walking in the countryside, relaxing in the garden, being with friends, holidays, seeing new things and for me work is a pleasure not a chore.

What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you?

In my early years of selling I used to visit the Port of Hull where we used to sell strapping machines and strapping, one of our competitors was well entrenched and it was proving difficult to make progress. One day when I was calling on new potential customers in the fish docks, I opened the doors to find lots of men filleting fish. However, what they saw was a target in a suit! I walked through the middle of them getting splashed along the way, which was quite deliberate on their part, and just as I was about to climb the stairs to the office at the other end I slipped on a piece of fish. I landed on my backside in about two inches of fishy water, getting absolutely soaked which gave everyone a good laugh. I spent the next two hours in the upstairs office in my underpants drying my trousers in front of an electric fire. Very embarrassing, but word got around and I started getting to see people and gained some business. In the end I came out smelling of roses rather than fish.

Do you have any hidden talents?

I am sure I do but they are hidden so well I haven’t found them yet!

Who would be your favourite party guest?

Muhammad Ali just after he retired from boxing. He was witty, articulate, intelligent, thought provoking and a great athlete.

What’s the greatest luxury in your life?

Again something simple: my morning shower. I really would not like to be deprived of it. Glastonbury would not do for me I’m afraid.

If you won the lottery, what would you do?

I presume you mean a really big win, in which case I would pay off mortgages for immediate family members, pay for a nice holiday for friends, give a reasonable amount to charity, and then my wife and I would take a luxury world cruise to decide how we would spend the remainder.

Who or what makes you laugh?

Tommy Cooper in his heyday, the best British sitcoms, plus topical satirical comedy as well as peoples’ misfortunes in the likes of TV programmes such as “You’ve been framed”.

Do you have any secret ambitions?

I think secret ambitions are meant to stay secret.

What’s your favourite holiday destination?

Maldives, Maui, Majorca, Madeira, strange how they all begin with M, I think Mauritius should be next.

What’s your favourite music album?

Fleetwood Mac’s “Tango in the night”, plus anything by Elvis Presley.

What’s your favourite book?

Sidney Sheldon’s “Doomsday Conspiracy” and Stephen King’s “Desparation.” I couldn’t put either of them down, the first one made a flight from the USA literally fly by.

Who or what do you detest the most?

Dishonesty and insincerity. I could go into grumpy old man mode but the list is too long and I wouldn’t want to bore you.

What would be your advice to someone thinking about coming into the industry (apart from “don’t do it”)?

Firstly try to find a role you enjoy doing, life is too short to do otherwise.  Look for a successful role model who you can identify with, then listen, learn, digest and understand. If you don’t understand something, then never be afraid to ask, and clarify. Working hard is not a chore if you enjoy it.

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