Foster Refrigerator has 12 members of staff at its factory in King’s Lynn who have achieved career milestones, as they reach their 40th and 45th anniversary working for the company.

Colleagues based throughout the factory have celebrated the significant goal this year, with eight giving 40 years and four 45 years of service. Paul Smith and Tony Bruce both started careers at the factory in their teens, within the same week of each other, in April 1971, and after 45-years are still with the company.

Paul Smith, who is now the Plant 4 manager was just 15 on his first day: “I left school on the Friday, and started here on the Monday, so it was a scary first day, but I soon settled in.” Tony Bruce has worked in various departments including Service and Technical, but is now an advisor in the spares team.

Paul who has a vast knowledge of the manufacturing processes, started his career putting the cabinet interiors together, before moving on to manufacturing the electrical boxes and then fitting condensers. He became the youngest supervisor on the plant floor at just 17 years old.

He said: “I love the manufacturing side – and have always thoroughly enjoyed what I do and have learnt so much over the years. I still have six-years until I reach the golden anniversary, so I’m certainly not going anywhere until then!”

Tony Bruce went on to say: “When I joined on 13 April 1971 it was only as a stop gap! I was 18, and left a job I wasn’t enjoying in a solicitor’s firm so came to Foster to buy me some time while I worked out what I really wanted to do. I would never have thought I’d still be here 45 years later!

“I have worked in different places and done various jobs in my time here. Moving around means I have learnt so much. I’ve made lots of good friends here over the years, and played football when the company has a team together. Foster has always looked after me and been a good company to work for, so I am glad I took this ‘stop gap’ job all those years ago!”

Managing director of Foster Refrigerator, Paul Veried, concluded: “As a business we can only be as good as the people who work with us. It is a fantastic achievement to have so many colleagues alongside me that have been a part of the organisation for so long. Their knowledge, experience and expertise is absolutely invaluable and it’s great to see their passion for the business continuing to grow, while inspiring their colleagues. I want to offer them a big thank you for those 500 fantastic years and here’s to many more!”

The members of staff celebrating 40 years are Andrew Hodges (Engineering), Michael Dempsey (recently retired from Production) Ray Broughton (Production) Nigel Richards (Production), Walter Wilson, (Production), Michael Howlett (Production), Adrian Everritt (Production), Jackie Winterton

(Customer Action Team) and for 45 years, Geoff Minns (Production), David Wheatley (Production), Paul Smith (Plant 4 Manager) and Tony Bruce (Spares Team)