Paul Dixon operations director at Clements Plant & Access Hire in the UK has celebrated 50 years with the company.
Dixon joined the company as a 16 year old in July 1974, starting out as an apprentice 'plant fitter' (service engineer). His initial duties included general equipment repairs and servicing, both int he workshop and on site.
Paul Dixon
Since then, he has gone on to work in every department of the company from handling customer relations to maintaining equipment and managing deliveries and collections.
To mark the milestone, a celebratory lunch was organised with his family invited, along with friends and surprise guests. Clements director, Adrian Hutchinson, presented him with a plaque to commemorate the day.
Adrian Hutchinson (R) presents Paul Dixon with a 50 year commemoration plaque
Dixon said: “When I first started with Clements, everything was handled manually and involved job sheets, repair manuals and work tickets. I would travel the country every day in my van using an A to Z guide and communicating via two way radio.”
“These days, the technology that exists means that service engineers can do their jobs from their smart phones. The machines that we have in the fleet are more reliable and if anything does go wrong, the diagnosis process is so much easier and streamlined, meaning we can get equipment back up and running quickly. It’s been amazing to see how technology has changed the way we work and it's certainly more time efficient now than back then.”
No need to blow 50 candles out
Hutchinson added: “Paul, has shown outstanding commitment to Clements over the years, and it has been a pleasure working alongside him. He epitomises the very best of the hire industry and our customers and his colleagues alike wanted to congratulate him for this amazing achievement.”
Harry Sharp
One thing I admire about Jim’s comments is that he is prepared to use his name and not hide behind some nickname as many people do on forums such as this, thus allowing them to make comments with impunity.
This is all about Paul Dixon celebrating 50 years with the company - nothing else - which is a) Why we disabled the thumbs down button on this occasion and b) Why the first comment and yours were edited.
Please now let this be the end of it, perhaps you can both take your grievences up one on one, and not through what was a good news story about a good man dedicating 50 years to a company and a job.
Thank you for your support
vertikal editor
You absolutely may Red,
the edits were minor and simply edited out of a few words that were personal and therefore midlly broke our rules about comments that might be deemed directly personally targeted or abusive.. very mild in this case but a complaint did warrant us to take another look - We have aimeed to maintain the intention of the original comment but made a tweak or two to the tone.
Longstaff retired
Without hesitation Paul is a magnificent member of the Clements team. His knowledge, professionalism and work ethic are second to none and it is wholly right that he was shown the appreciation and respect that his dedication to the company deserved. His commitment to the cause, always undertaken with a smile is a pleasure to observe and I hope that he continues for as long as he feels fit enough to do so.
That said, Appreciation and Respect are two-way streets and it did not go unnoticed by all present that no one from the senior management team of either FGS Plant or Heathcote Holdings turned up to help Paul, his family, current and former colleagues as well as customers celebrate this magnificent milestone.
Additionally, the ultimate owner of the Group - Mr Trevor Heathcote has never visited the company to meet the team and see his investment in the almost year and a half since I sold him the business.
Clearly the senior management team take their lead from the owner of the business.
Harry Sharp
One thing I admire about Jim’s comments is that he is prepared to use his name and not hide behind some nickname as many people do on forums such as this, thus allowing them to make comments with impunity.
vertikal editor
Dear chinkinthearmour,
This is all about Paul Dixon celebrating 50 years with the company - nothing else - which is a) Why we disabled the thumbs down button on this occasion and b) Why the first comment and yours were edited.
Please now let this be the end of it, perhaps you can both take your grievences up one on one, and not through what was a good news story about a good man dedicating 50 years to a company and a job.
Thank you for your support
chinkinthearmour
Dear Editor
I would like to thumbs down Jim Longstaff’s comment, why can’t I?
The second paragraph was unnecessary and personal.
vertikal editor
You absolutely may Red,
the edits were minor and simply edited out of a few words that were personal and therefore midlly broke our rules about comments that might be deemed directly personally targeted or abusive.. very mild in this case but a complaint did warrant us to take another look - We have aimeed to maintain the intention of the original comment but made a tweak or two to the tone.
Red
Unless I'm mistaken, the first comment has been edited.
Might I ask why ?
Mr Bear
You’ve made a very good point Jim. Leadership starts at the top and you won’t gain your employees respect if you are hidden from view.
Longstaff retired
Without hesitation Paul is a magnificent member of the Clements team. His knowledge, professionalism and work ethic are second to none and it is wholly right that he was shown the appreciation and respect that his dedication to the company deserved. His commitment to the cause, always undertaken with a smile is a pleasure to observe and I hope that he continues for as long as he feels fit enough to do so.
That said, Appreciation and Respect are two-way streets and it did not go unnoticed by all present that no one from the senior management team of either FGS Plant or Heathcote Holdings turned up to help Paul, his family, current and former colleagues as well as customers celebrate this magnificent milestone.
Additionally, the ultimate owner of the Group - Mr Trevor Heathcote has never visited the company to meet the team and see his investment in the almost year and a half since I sold him the business.
Clearly the senior management team take their lead from the owner of the business.