Bobby Celebrates 50 Years With Team LFI

Hard at work, as usual, tucked away in a specialist area of the LFI factory at Horsefair Lane, we have one of the longest-serving employees in Britain. Probably.

Today [6th September], Bobby Blewitt celebrates his 50th work anniversary. A local to Gloucester, Bobby has been a one-company man since leaving school at the tender age of just 16, spending his entire professional career as part of Team LFI.

Throughout Bobby’s whole career, he has shown a fantastic work ethic. He has consistently delivered to the highest of standards, driven production levels to a new high, and done so with an impeccable safety record. Considering how manufacturing has changed in Britain, with five decades coming and going, it’s a testament to Bobby’s loyalty and longevity that he is still dedicating each of his working days to help produce the high-quality access equipment which we have built our reputation and seen us become a market leader in Britain.

Bobby Blewitt manufacturing the LFI TuFF Board (LFI - Ladder & Fencing Industries (Newent) Ltd.)

In typical fashion - completely unfazed by the fuss surrounding him and the day’s occasion, Bobby sat down for a quick chat with LFI’s Operations Director, Darren Smart…

Darren: “Firstly Bobby, wow what an achievement! Congratulations on such an amazing milestone. Can you tell me a little bit about your work history and the roles you’ve had since you started at LFI 50 Years ago?”

Bobby: “I started work at LFI as a 16-year-old boy. It was my first job straight out of high school. I found it completely different to what I was used to day-to-day. School back then had no set structure or even timetables! Each day was completely different, and now I look back a little chaotic too. To be honest it was a wonder we all learned anything haha. Then you’re thrust into a well-organized, typical factory of its day. My first role was to lift and sort the wooden logs (LFI used to have its own on-site timber mill), although because I was a short little lad, they were too heavy for me. I was quickly moved by the foreman to work on repairing wooded staging boards. I then went on to make the LFI TuFF Pole, the orange wooden pole ladders which we still hand craft today! I’m not sure which is older, me or them! I've had a few other roles too, too many to remember I guess.”

Darren: “What is it that has kept you here all these years and what have you most enjoyed about working for LFI?”

Bobby: “Well, I have a very loyal personality, or so I’m told… When you find something that fits well and works for you, on both a personal and professional level, it’s easy to put roots down and see yourself working for the same company for a long time. For me, that’s what happened. It’s also about the people. I have enjoyed working with so many of them over the years. I’ve worked with people from all walks of life and lots of different personalities, and this is part of what makes LFI such a great place to work. In all my years. I’ve seen plenty of people come and go. But not myself, and particularly Tony and Ian (the Three Amigos) who are also still with the Company today too. Together, we’ve clocked up a monumental total of 140 years at LFI! It’s just a place people want to stay. All the many different jobs that I have had during my time have kept things interesting. I feel I’ve had a long, and fulfilling career here.”

Darren: “That sound like five decades of great moments and memories. Tell me Bobby, what would be your least enjoyable moment over the whole of your 50-year employment at LFI then?”

Bobby: (Laughs) “I don’t have any!”

Darren: “Really? You must have. And we all know how good your memory is, especially when someone owes you a pint!!…”

Bobby: “No really, not at all. It’s just not the type of place you get bad people or bad days. It’s hard work that’s for sure, but hard work never killed anyone!”

Darren: “What would you say is your greatest success or accomplishment in your vast working history?”

Bobby: “That’s a simple answer! I get satisfaction at the end of every day, from the work I did, and still do currently. Knowing that one more day has passed, and I’ve contributed to the team and produced the best product that I possibly could!” 

As Bobby prepares for his upcoming retirement, which is quickly approaching in October 2022, it will not only see Bobby greatly missed by the whole of Team LFI, but it will also leave some very big shoes to fill. With one final congratulation and a huge thank you for all his years of service, LFI’s current longest-serving team member, Bobby Blewitt spoke about what life after LFI holds for him…

Darren: “How do you currently feel about your decision to retire from LFI in October?”

Bobby: “I won't lie, I'm excited about retiring, I'm going to get to spend more time with my family, which I'm most looking forward to. But thinking about it, I’m also feeling a little sad to leave after all these years. I won’t see everyone every day and I’ll miss the banter among us. Although, I definitely won’t miss the cold, dark winter mornings or having to drive into work that’s for sure!”

Darren: “Have you started to make any plans for your post-retirement?”

Bobby: “Actually yes. And quite an important plan! Or THE most important plan if you asked my partner haha. I’ll be getting married on the 10th of October 2022. After that, not too much just yet. We’ll see what the next chapter in my life brings, but one thing is for sure, I will have many years of happiness together with my future wife.”

For more information, please visit britishladders.co.uk or email info@lfi-ladders.co.uk.

The Three Amigos - Tony Brickell, Ian Millard and Bobby Blewitt (LFI - Ladder & Fencing Industries (Newent) Ltd.)

Source : British Ladders

Images : LFI - Ladder & Fencing Industries (Newent) Ltd.

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