Tony retires after 43 years with the same company

A machine operator has retired after 43 years at a steel processing firm.

Mr Tony Cooper, 65, joined Blagg and Johnson, on Newark Industrial Estate, aged 21, as a press operator on December 17, 1973, after brief careers as an apprentice butcher and a belt fitter at Bilsthorpe Colliery.

Mr Cooper, of St Catherine’s Close, Newark, said he had to learn everything from scratch, including how to measure steel using rulers and tape measures.

“I learnt all that over the years and then in the 1990s it all became computerised,” he said.

“I became a CNC press operator, which meant it was all programmed using a computer. We just put the measurements in a computer and you have lasers to cut it all, whereas back in our day you had to work out girths and shear.

“There have been a lot of changes over the years and I have seen lots of people come and go.”

Mr Cooper, who retired on Friday, said it had always felt like a small family business to him.

“We had nights out and social outings, nights out to shows, and family events in the day and on a weekend,” he said.

“We have been to the Edinburgh Tattoo and Christmas parties with the children.”

'They have stayed with us through good times and bad'

Blagg and Johnson, founded in 1921, employs between 20 and 30 people and presses steel for companies around the UK.

Mr Cooper said he had pressed steel for shelters used in the Falklands War and for the inner casing of trains for Bombardier.

He said he would enjoy spending more time with his children and grandchildren and working on his garden and allotment.

Mr Cooper was the fifth long-serving employee to retire from the company in the last three years.

He followed Mr Maurice Bailey (43 years), Mr John Cumberland (41 years), Mr John Barnes (32 years) and Mr Jim Scott (30 years).

Those who are still with the company include Mrs Margaret Key (44 years), Mr David Shaw (43 years), Mr Stephen Taylor (32 years) and Mrs Joanne Grant (29 years).

Managing director Mr Conrad Gray has been with the company for 25 years and company secretary Maria Baldwin has been there for 24 years.

Maria Baldwin said: “Speaking on behalf of the shareholders and directors of the company, we feel truly thankful for the commitment and loyalty of these employees and greatly appreciate their efforts over the many years they have worked at the company.

“This is dedication to the company as they have stayed with us through good times and bad and they have obviously seen many changes throughout the course of their employment.

“While their skills, experience and commitment will be missed, we wish them all a long and happy retirement.”