Five Hurst employees have each received awards for reaching 20 years’ service with the company.
Rob Nightingale, Lee Opie, Cherril Bilton, Laura Tyas and Andrew Haysom were presented with crystal tankards and wine glasses in recognition for their long service – and were each given an extra week of holiday.
The five are among 42 employees – a quarter of the entire workforce – to have passed 20 years at the company, and more than half have served over ten years.
“We are so proud to be recognising the incredible milestone each of these employees has reached,” said sales director Mark Atkinson, who himself has been with the company over 30 years, “Their hard work, dedication and passion have helped the company grow, and make it the industry leader it is today.
“Collectively, our long-serving employees contribute an impressive 900 years of experience, forming a substantial knowledge base for the business.”
Laura Tyas and Rob Nightingale in particular have both progressed significantly within the company, now managing the composite door order processing teams and warehouse respectively.
“When I started at Hurst, I was just 16 years old,” Laura said. “I think it is a credit to the company that so many people want to continue to work here continuously.
“But we also learn a lot over the years, and that knowledge gets fed back into the smooth running of the business, and happy customers.
“I originally started in the PVC panel department before moving over to composite doors ten years ago. I’ve seen demand for composite doors grow from about 25 a day, to up to 100 a day. It’s gone from strength to strength, and I’m glad to have been a part of it.”
Warehouse Operations Manager Rob Nightingale started his career in 2004 as a forklift driver in ‘Goods In’. After stints in various departments, he was promoted to his current position a year ago.
“I don’t feel old enough to have worked here for 20 years,” he joked. “I think the biggest benefit that my long service brings to this role is my in-depth product knowledge.
“Take the ancillaries section for example. Each product range has multiple variations – colour, handed, compatibility – and if you get that wrong, it will cost someone money further down the line.
“I’ve also enjoyed watching the company grow over the last 20 years. It’s a great place to work, and we all get on really well.”
Pictured, l to r: Kevin Wheatman (General Manager), Laura Tyas, Andrew Haysom, Lee Opie, Cherril Bilton, Rob Nightingale, Mark Atkinson.
