23 December 2024
At TruckEast, we actively promote investment in our facilities and in our people - essentially, our future. Recognising the dedication of our employees is a big factor in our everyday culture, but also within more formal celebrations, such as our long service awards.
Held quarterly, the long service awards recognise key milestones including 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 years service. They are an opportunity to express gratitude to our employees for their hard work and commitment to the company. In 2024, the awards have celebrated a total of 495 years of service, of which 90 years were clocked up by three within our Northampton branch.
Not only was 2024 a special year for our Northampton branch with the major investment in its expansion and refurbishment, but the team also had further celebrations with technicians Steve Jolley and Ian Folwell and workshop controller Bryan Cockerill clocking up 30-years of service each.
We catch up with the Northampton trio of long-servers to see what the last thirty years have held...
"Starting as an apprentice, I've had a variety of roles, both within the workshop and workshop office. I've loved that there is always an element of problem-solving; in the workshop that consisted of fixing physical faults, now it is more about making things work and juggling bookings around. You feel like you've made a difference," states Bryan.
"Problem-solving is a huge skill in the industry isn't it," affirms Ian. "Looking back over the last 30 years, the job has evolved massively, but essentially as a technician, we're still finding a fault and working through it to find a solution."
Undoubtedly seeing a lot of change in 30 years, the team were unanimous on a particular subject. So what is the biggest change they've seen?
"The obvious answer would be technology because the vehicles are so different today, it has evolved. But I'd also say health and safety, it is far more advanced," comments Steve.
"It's one of the biggest changes a lot of people don't actually think about actually. The world has changed a lot and there is need for more compliance," adds Bryan.
"Definitely," comments Ian, "it is a lot better. I remember starting my career and we had to share one set of goggles across a workshop. Now it isn't even a second thought. Anything that you need in the form of equipment or ppe - you get it," he continues.
Having all started their careers as apprentices, we were curious why trucks, why get into the industry in the first place?
"My dad was an hgv driver, in the summer holidays we'd go all over Europe in his lorry. Originally, that's what I wanted to do, but my dad suggested that I go into the workshop first and I've not left," shares Bryan.
I had always had an interest in taking things apart and putting them back together. I wanted to know how they worked. The car industry was my first thought, but then an opportunity came up in commercial and it meant guaranteed work with the regular servicing. It was diverse as we worked across so many products," adds Steve.
"Straight out of school I went to college and got an apprenticeship. I thought I was starting in cars, but it turned out to be commercials and I have't looked back since," adds Ian.
With a clear passion for the industry and their roles, it leaves one last question, what is behind the 30-year milestone at TruckEast?
"It comes down to a good environment and the team around you. You spend most of your life with the people you work with," says Steve.
"I think it's genuinely a good company to work for too," continues Ian. "They look after you and I enjoy the job and the people I work with. It goes quickly - I've been here for 30 years!"
"The people that you work with are a huge factor, not just the ones in your team, but relationships that you build with suppliers and customers over time. The industry is one big family network really," concludes Bryan.
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