Tony Ormondroyd retired last week after 50 years with the Westin Group, a remarkable example of reliability and loyalty.
He joined WS Westin as a 15-year-old and, during a five-year apprenticeship, received a thorough grounding in electric motor rewinding and repairs.
Work in those days was plentiful, partly because a number of West Yorkshire mills – woollen, worsted, yarn spinners and shoddy – were still operating.
"Mills were one of our biggest customers. In those days, electric motors weren't cheap, so if anything burned out you got it repaired," he says.
Eventually, he was promoted to foreman and then to workshop manager, a role now held by his son, Steve, whose potential was spotted by his dad. In more recent times, Tony has been the Logistics Manager for Westin Drives.
Retirement offers a busy life. He likes fishing, he's keen on history and historic places – and freedom of the road is provided by his Royal Enfield motorbike, a modern replacement for a 1950s model he once owned.
And, with eight grandchildren, he's almost a professional grandfather. We wish him a long and happy retirement.
I had the pleasure of working with Tony for a few months, such a nice fella and a credit to the company.
have a great retirement Tony.
Scott Mellors.