Celebration lunch and awards ceremony to celebrate 210 years of service!
Williams Referencing, a manufacturer based in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, held a gala lunch on 22 August to recognise some of the company’s longest serving employees.andAll ten have been with the company for at least 20 years, bringing their combined tenure to an astounding 210 years.
With talent becoming a major challenge for many companies, what’s Williams’ secret? Purchasing manager Robert Smith, who has been with the company for 30 years, believes it’s a combination of factors. “The trust to be given permission to make key decisions, the support, the fast pace and the fact that Williams is always moving,” he says, adding, “It’s never boring. It’s always challenging.”
Steve Leslie, managing director of Williams Refrigeration in Scotland, will be recognised for 20 years of service. He believes that longevity is a factor in employee retention. “They’re experienced and they know exactly what they need, which makes everyone’s job that much easier,” he says. “It’s a great team and makes work fun.”
Robert says the biggest change over the past few years has been technology, and Ian Wiggins, a production worker at Williams’ King’s Lynn factory who has been with the company for 20 years, agrees, adding: “The products we make are now more environmentally friendly, which is great. There have also been great advances in health and safety.”
Tim Smith is managing director of Williams Referencing. “We have a fantastic track record of long-term staff,” he says. “Every year we honour staff who have reached these milestones and each year I am humbled by their dedication and loyalty. I am proud of the whole team here – each and every one of them contributes to our success.”
The 10 winners are as follows:
30 years
- Robert Smith, Purchasing Manager, King’s Lynn
20 years
- Darren Hall, Engineer, King’s Lynn
- Michael Steward, shop worker, King’s Lynn
- Ian Wiggins, Production Staff, King’s Lynn
- Lynette Wixey, Purchasing Ledger Manager, King’s Lynn
- Paul Mason, Production Staff, King’s Lynn
- Lee White, Senior Refrigeration Design Engineer, King’s Lynn
- David Heiton, Warehouse Worker, Central Contracting Unit, Doncaster
- Stephen Leslie, Managing Director, Scottish Contracts Unit, Edinburgh
- Steve Langford, Sales Project Manager, Southern Contracting Unit, Maidenhead
Williams is one of the leading manufacturers of commercial refrigeration equipment for the foodservice, bakery, healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. The company’s main UK manufacturing base is in King’s Lynn. Williams also has manufacturing facilities in China and Australia and sales facilities worldwide. The company also has regional contracting units in Edinburgh, Doncaster, Maidstone and Basingstoke supporting customers throughout the UK.
Williams Refrigeration offers a comprehensive range of commercial refrigeration products, including gastronorm cabinets and counters, specialist bakery equipment, cold rooms, multi-decks and blast chillers.
For more information on Williams’ extensive product range, www.williams-refrigeration.co.uk.
