Andover-based home improvement specialist, KJM Group, will bid a fond farewell to its longest-serving employee, Andy Turner at the end of October after an incredible 43-year career fitting windows across the region.
Having joined the company in January 1983, shortly after KJM was first formed, Andy’s professional journey closely mirrors the sustained growth and success of the business itself.
Reflecting on his four decades with KJM, Andy considers his very first day as his best. Having previously worked at a frozen food centre in Andover for one of KJM’s founding directors, he was unexpectedly offered a brand-new opportunity.
“KJM had just been formed and I had never fitted windows before in my life,” Andy recalls. “It was a whole new start for me.”
The early days were characterised by a tight-knit camaraderie, underscored by a standout memory from the mid-1980s when the entire company shut down for the day so the team could enjoy a well-earned team-building trip to Alton Towers.
Over the years, Andy has seen fenestration technology evolve dramatically, but his most unforgettable project dates back 35 years. The job involved installing KJM’s early manufactured product – an externally glazed Veka system – into the grain tower of the McDougalls flour mill in Andover. Because it was a heavy-duty food production facility, the team had to use laminate glass.
“Installing them was, in one word, ‘scary’,” Andy admits. Navigating the tall building via old-fashioned paternoster lifts added to the thrill, though the crew managed to find respite in their own special canteen, which made it notoriously easy to hide from KJM’s site manager. Remarkably, thanks to the quality of the installation, those windows are still in place today.
The job hasn’t been without its laughs, or its frustrations. When asked about his funniest moment on site, Andy points to a memorable mishap involving founding director Ken, who slipped backwards onto a fence panel, ending up spread-eagled “like the man in the old Solvite wallpaper advert.”
On the flip side, his most frustrating day came decades into his career when he was told he needed to complete an NVQ in window fitting. While the practical assessments were second nature to a seasoned pro, Andy jokes that “the online maths was tough.”
Since 1983, Andy notes that the industry has transformed significantly. KJM has grown much larger, introducing more formal procedures, an endless array of complex window systems, and much heavier glazed products.
As he prepares to step down, his advice to the next generation of window fitters is simple, practical, and a testament to his old-school work ethic:
“Listen and watch carefully to those that have the experience… and leave your phone in the van.”
To mark the milestone, Andy was pictured celebrating his upcoming retirement alongside KJM Group’s current managing director Mark Pearce, as well as the retired founding directors Mick and John.
The entire team at KJM Group extends their deepest gratitude to Andy for his 43 years of hard work, skill, and dedication, and wishes him a very happy, well-deserved retirement.
