Clearview National August 2015 - Issue 165 | Page 19

INDUSTRYNEWS

On Saturday 4th July, one of the industry’s largest and longest established
fabricators, Sash UK, marked a tremendous 50 years of manufacturing windows,
doors and conservatories with a party to thank its staff, both past and present,
for their contribution to the Company’s success. Precious few have stood
such a test of time and the story of Sash UK’s rise to success, led by Ron
Bean and Terry Morrell, is proof that slow and steady wins the race.
»»Held at Burntwood
Court Hotel in Barnsley, close to
Sash UK’s purpose-built factory
and showroom in the former
mining town of Grimethorpe,
over 400 guests were greeted
by stilt walkers and a glass of
champagne. Live entertainment
for the evening, hosted by
professional compere, Lee Lard,
was provided by male vocalists,
Linacre & Knights, with music
from The Sensations and rounded
off by party band, Storm. At
intervals, a spectacular fire show
took place outside on the terrace,
followed by a breathtaking
firework display.
Stephen Morrell, Managing
Director of Sash UK and son
of original Co-Founder, Terry,
explains the reasoning behind the
event, from humble beginnings
in 1965 when the two men, who
met at school, set up the business
in a garage in Brierley, to the £20
million turnover company we
know today.
“50 years ago, two young
school friends decided to set up a
business together,” says Stephen.
“Some thought this was risky but
Ron Bean and my father, Terry

Courtesy of imajination photography

Morrell, supported by their wives
and families, bought their first
premises and the rest as they say,
is history.
“Without their early
determination to make a success
of this venture we would not
be celebrating Sash UK’s 50th
anniversary this year, so it was
important that we recognised
their hard work and continued
efforts for the Company at the
party we held last month.
“Choosing a gift for them
wasn’t easy but we finally decided
to commission a portrait painter
to depict a photo of them both at
Ron and Jeanette’s wedding.
“They do say that behind every
good man is a great woman or
should that be a patient woman?
Our partners often have a difficult
job putting up with us while we
work the long hours. For Ron,
Jeanette has done that and more,
supporting him over the years,
so we presented her with some
flowers as a thank you from us
all.
“Unfortunately my mum
Barbara is no longer with us but
she too has made contribution
towards the Company, supporting

my Dad and even working in the
canteen for a number of years,
so I was pleased to be able to
invite her sister Brenda to accept
a bouquet of flowers on her
behalf.
“It was great to see so many
familiar faces who have helped
contribute to Sash’s continued
success over the years, and
especially to see so many of those
who continue to work hard
making Sash what it is today.
“We also remembered those
who could not be there but who
have also played a major part in
the Company, and we were glad
that some of their loved ones
came to join in our celebrations.
“As the longest serving
employee at Sash, with the grey
hairs to show for it, it always gives
me pleasure to recognise others
who have also stood the test of
time and remained loyal to the
company.”
“Two current employees, Paul
Winstanley and Darrell Kolka,
were presented with a watch, a
bottle of champagne and a meal
for two at a local restaurant, to
mark their 25 years with the

company.” Not only does Sash
UK have a commendable record
for staff retention, with some
employees having worked there
20, 25, even 30 years and more,
but it also has several people who
are third generation, following in
the footsteps of their parents and
grandparents who worked there
before them.
Stephen concluded, “I would
like to say a big thank you to
Glenn Trevelyan, Rudy Micallef
and Richard Wilson for all their
hard work in helping me to
organise the event. And a special
thank you to everyone for helping
to make Sash UK and Fitrite the
two great companies they are and,
more importantly, for helping us
celebrate 50 great years.”
And as the dust settled on what
was a truly fabulous evening,
guests have since received a
photograph taken of them on the
red carpet as they arrived, along
with a special 50th anniversary
booklet detailing the history of
the company, to commemorate
the event.
www.sashuk.com

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