Long service awards for Hurst employees

Five Hurst employees have each received special awards for reaching their 20-year milestone with the door manufacturer.

Representing different parts of the business, Rob Nightingale, Lee Opie, Cherril Bilton, Laura Tyas and Andrew Haysom were presented with either a crystal tankard or wine glasses in recognition for their long service, and received an extra week of holiday.

“We are so proud to be recognising the incredible milestone each of these employees has reached,” said sales director, Mark Atkinson. “Their hard work, dedication and passion have helped the company grow, and make it the industry leader it is today.

“They join an amazing group of people here at Hurst – remarkably, 42 staff employees have reached their 20-year service mark. This represents a quarter of our 170-strong workforce, with over half having been with us for more than 10 years.

“Collectively, these long-serving employees contribute an impressive 900 years of experience, forming a substantial knowledge base for the business.”

Laura Tyas and Rob Nightingale in particular have both progressed significantly within the company, now managing the composite door order processing teams and warehouse respectively.

“When I started at Hurst, I was just 16 years old,” Laura said. “I think it is a credit to the company that so many people want to continue to work here.

“But we also learn a lot over the years, and that knowledge gets fed back into the smooth running of the business, and happy customers.

“I originally started in the PVC panel department before moving over to composite doors 10 years ago. I’ve seen demand for composite doors grow from about 25 a day, to up to 100 a day. It’s gone from strength to strength, and I’m glad to have been a part of it.”

Warehouse operations manager, Rob Nightingale, started his career in 2004 as a forklift driver in ‘Goods In’. After stints in various departments, he was promoted to his current position a year ago.

“I don’t feel old enough to have worked here for 20 years,” he joked. “I think the biggest benefit that my long service brings to this role is my in-depth product knowledge.

“Take the ancillaries section for example. Each product range has multiple variations – colour, handed, compatibility – and if you get that wrong, it will cost someone money further down the line.

“I’ve also enjoyed watching the company grow over the last 20 years. It’s a great place to work, and we all get on really well.”

Mark Atkinson – who has been with the company for more than 30 years – also reflected on how the company has changed.

“We have successfully gone from manufacturing predominantly PVC panels, to expanding our offer, and becoming a leading supplier of composite doors and fire doors, thanks in part to the commitment of our staff,” he said. “Without their dedication and hard work, that growth would simply not have been possible.”