The flat caps were flying as Yorkshire-based Trojan Baths honoured its loyal staff at its first Long Service Awards.
The event was held at the Briar Court Hotel in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, where Trojan staff and their guests gathered to mark their long-service awards, counting 825 years of continuous service between them.
The awards were handed out by managing director David Mosley, pictured (below left) with his father Maurice Mosley, who founded Trojan Baths back in 1975.
The awards celebrated staff who had clocked up between 10 and 35 years with the company and each was presented with a Trojan Long Service Yorkshire-made flat cap, handmade by world-renowned Castleford-based flat cap maker Lawrence and Foster.
David Mosley said in his welcoming address how Trojan valued its long-standing members of staff. He said: “We are celebrating today our truly dedicated staff, who have a wealth of knowledge and understanding about the organisation, which really is invaluable to us. You have chosen to give most, if not all, of your careers to Trojan, contributing so much to the bathroom industry over the years, and so I must thank you all for your dedication and commitment.”
Receiving a special mention at the ceremony was Mick Langford, pictured with founder Maurice Mosley, who had 24 years’ service with Trojan without a single day off, and has a total of 50 years’ experience in the bathroom industry as a sprayer.
Not far behind him was project and procurement director Mark Turner with 23 years’ service under his belt.
Turner said of his award: “I was initially employed to regenerate the manufacturing process and install new production lines, then to supervise one of the factories. I have seen and implemented many changes over the years working at Trojan, across the various manufacturing sites we have here in Huddersfield. I’ve built close friendships with my colleagues over the years and I’m sure Trojan will see me through to retirement.”
Customer care and training supervisor Vicky Giles joined Trojan straight from college and was recognised for her 16 years with the company.
She told her co-workers: “It’s been over 16 years since I started in 2003 and I have worked in a number of different departments. I’ve stayed here so long because of the great working environment and job variety. My role has grown over the years and I am now responsible for all customer care and training and it’s wonderful to continually hear positive feedback from our customers.”
Summing up the importance of the awards to Trojan, MD David Mosley said: “We have never officially celebrated the dedication and service of our workforce before now. The triangle of loyalty between employee, supplier and customer is one of the keys to our success.
“When I realised there was over 825 years of combined service – with 12 people having worked here for over 25 years – I knew we had to start celebrating and recognising the impact on the business.”