Robert continues: “There is terrific camaraderie among fellow workers here. I worked as the senior shop steward for UNITE, including through the pandemic, and that was a very busy time but if anything, it brought us all even closer together.” Another long-serving employee at Garador is Chris Irving, who joined the company in 1988, working on the old production lines. Now Chris works as Production Supervisor, having seen the company progress to the mechanisation of the production line and then the introduction of computer-controlled manufacturing technology as well. Chris comments: “Garador has changed dramatically in recent years, with the introduction of MES and an increasingly automated production line. It’s quite incredible when you look back and see how far everything has come. It’s such a dynamic place to work and I am sure people enjoy coming to work far more today than they did when the company started 75 years ago.” Chris says that he was working at Garador when the new embossed Horizon garage door was released in the 1990s. “I knew it was a great door then, but who would have thought that a quarter of a century later, the latest iteration of that Horizon door would still be really popular!” he added Women are today key in Garador’s operation, something that was not so obvious 75 years ago when the company started; and many now belong to the company’s exclusive group of long-serving employees. Samantha Todd joined the company 25 years ago and says one of the biggest changes she has seen is the huge extension of products available. “When I started the price list consisted of only a few pages; now we have a vast number of styles, sizes and options; there really is a perfect garage door for every possible build,” she said. “My favourite is the Carlton; seeing the whole process as it is manufactured in the factory here and then finally the beautifully finished product is enormously satisfying. Of course, even the paint has changed since I have been here; today the colours are so vibrant but also incredibly hard-wearing and durable. That is development at its best.” Samantha also says the social life at Garador is a key part of why she has stayed with the company for so long. “Everyone here is very professional but also so friendly, it is like a big family. We have good social events and also charity events which help everyone feel part of a great Garador team. In my role, managing our Customer Support Department, along with organising training courses and many other jobs, I also have personal contact with many different people. Ensuring our customers have all the support and help they need so that purchasing a Garador garage door is straightforward and easy is such an important aspect of our business; I am really happy I can play a key role here.” Garador’s Managing Director, Jon Watson, said he was extremely proud of all the employees and also the company’s record of keeping many employees for most of their lives. “To dedicate nearly all your working life to just one company is unusual today,” he said. “I believe this is a great endorsement of the working conditions and the leadership in the various areas that make up our manufacturing business. The first 75 years of our business went through many challenges and problems, and no doubt there will be more tough times ahead; but with such a wonderful employee base, I feel confident that Garador will remain Britain’s leading garage door manufacturing company for many years to come.” View the complete range of Garador products online by visiting www.garador.co.uk or calling 01935 443722. 19 THE door industry journal summer 2023 Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk Industry News
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