Mr Young began his marathon career in 1962 as an apprentice, qualifying as a design draughtsman seven years later. Project controller aged 28, he became business development manager in 1988 and joined the team of directors in 1994.
Mr Young said: 'I am only just starting. I am just getting revved up. I work on the screw compressor design for the Daikin group – a global giant with tens of thousands of people working for it. So many great engineers have come through various departments I have managed. The group I have now are all highly qualified, with an average age of 36 and the intellectual challenge that they present is very stimulating. I don't want to put my feet up. That's for old people – I am only 75.'
Originally, he wanted to join the family garage business in Dartford but was dissuaded by his father who wanted him to gain industry experience in the wider world. When J&E Hall representatives visited his school, the local lad found his true calling, securing a coveted apprenticeship with the area’s biggest employer after shining in an exam.
The apprenticeship saw him explore all aspects of the business and compressor design was of special interest. He was one of the pioneers in the development of the globally-acclaimed HallScrew compressor which has undergone dozens of modifications and upgrades since its invention in the early 1970s. Over the world many thousands of HallScrew compressors are employed in deep freezing, process cooling and refrigeration across a wide range of sectors including retail, brewing and petrochemicals.
Mr Young said: “I designed the first HallScrew single-piece casing, which was a breakthrough, and managed to get a patent on it with another colleague. We received Government sponsorship from the Department of Trade and Industry around 1978. As it was Government sponsored and they didn’t want us mixed up with other production lines we had to move to Chatham where we started a research and development centre called HallScrew Development.”
A chartered engineer and member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, Mr Young's work has been recognised and honoured. He has been responsible for designs and developments that earned the Design Council Award and the Queen’s Award for Technology.
“When I joined J&E Hall they manufactured all of their components in a refrigeration system,” he explained, “items that today we buy from China and other far-flung countries. We made heat exchangers, compressors, instruments and controls. The Dartford factory was the mothership – the manufacturing centre.”
Progress brought higher speed compressors with increased efficiency and machinery with smaller physical and carbon footprints. Terry said: “We were probably running compressors 100 years ago at 100rpm. The ones I am developing today are running at 6000rpm to do the same duty. Large reciprocating compressors have been replaced by small high-speed rotary machines.”
Picking highlights from such a lengthy career is not easy but he said: “Being accepted as a chartered engineer was nice and having patents awarded is very satisfying. The latest compressor we designed earned the Daikin Presidents' Award for Excellence. It's a rotary compressor with a brand new geometry we developed which is unique.”
Despite all the change, one thing has remained constant over 60 years: “J&E Hall is a great company,” he explained. “It's always been a great company.” Away from work, keen golfer Terry has two sons, five grandchildren and has been married to Janet for 52 years.
J&E Hall managing director Andrew Bowden paid tribute to Mr Young's long service: “I really appreciate his dedication. Through the years, his talents and efforts have helped our success. Together, we take pride in his accomplishment and commitment to excellence.”