Support You Can Depend On: Tara McCarthy

Many across the industrial door sector will already know Tara McCarthy, previously Tara O’Donnell, as a familiar and trusted voice at the end of the phone. Following her recent marriage, the name may have changed, but the experience, knowledge and commitment to customer service remain exactly the same.

With an impressive 32 years in the industry, Tara’s career began with Garog in 1994 before moving on to Wayne Dalton and Novoferm. She joined Link Controls in 2005 and has since become one of the most recognisable and respected figures within the business. When the company transitioned from Link Controls to Marantec UK in 2023/24, Tara was a key part of that journey, providing continuity and reassurance to long-standing customers who value familiarity, reliability and consistent technical support.

Today, as a Technical Salesperson at Marantec UK, Tara’s role remains hands-on and firmly customer-focused. Her day-to-day responsibilities include handling enquiries by phone and email, advising on product selection, preparing quotations, processing orders, and liaising closely with Purchasing and Production to monitor lead times and work in progress. It’s a role that demands both technical knowledge and strong communication; qualities she has built steadily over more than three decades working across different manufacturers, product ranges and market conditions.

That breadth of experience gives Tara a practical understanding of how the industry has evolved. “Customers have become more price-driven,” she explains, “while still wanting quality and reliability.” Balancing those expectations requires a deep understanding of product capability, application suitability and long-term performance; something installers and distributors increasingly expect from suppliers. For many customers, access to knowledgeable technical sales support is just as important as the product itself.

When asked what customers value most today, her answer is clear: reliability, service, quality and a genuine understanding of their requirements. It’s a straightforward philosophy, but one that underpins strong, long-term relationships between supplier and installer. In a sector where downtime can have real operational consequences, dependable products backed by accessible expertise remain critical.

Technical sales, Tara notes, is often about problem-solving as much as selling. “Customers come to us knowing that we are highly likely to have a solution to their needs due to our product knowledge and technical abilities.” That confidence is built on trust, honesty and consistency, which are qualities that continue to shape Marantec UK’s people-first approach and the way it supports installers, distributors and end users alike.

The transition to Marantec UK has also brought new opportunities. Being part of a global manufacturer provides access to wider product development, engineering expertise and structured processes, while the UK team continues to prioritise local service, accessibility and customer relationships. For customers, that combination of international engineering strength with familiar UK-based support has been an important element of continuity.

Looking ahead, Tara is particularly focused on sharing her experience with newer colleagues within the sales team. Supporting knowledge transfer, strengthening collaboration and ensuring customers continue to receive consistent advice are priorities she sees as vital for the future. Developing internal expertise ultimately translates into better service externally, something she believes customers quickly recognise.

Paul Connor, Managing Director of Marantec UK, recognises the value Tara brings to the business: “Tara represents everything we stand for as a company: experience, professionalism and genuine care for our customers. She is highly respected throughout the industry and plays a vital role in maintaining the relationships that are so important to Marantec UK.”

Team culture also plays a significant role in delivering good service. Close coordination between sales, technical support, purchasing and production ensures customers receive accurate information, realistic lead times and dependable after-sales support. According to Tara, that internal alignment is essential if a supplier wants to build lasting trust in the market.

Outside work, Tara enjoys live music, dancing and travelling, and is now finding more time to enjoy life with her husband Kevin. She currently works four days a week, continuing to provide the same level of dedication and customer care that colleagues and customers alike have come to expect.

As Marantec UK continues to strengthen its position in the market, it is people like Tara who ensure that behind every product, every quotation and every order is a knowledgeable, reliable professional ready to help. Experience, continuity and strong relationships remain fundamental to the business; and Tara embodies all three.

For more information about Marantec UK and its industrial door operators and control systems, visit www.marantec.co.uk or email sales@marantec.co.uk.

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