Pennine Industrial celebrates 50th anniversary
Published 12th June, 2018 by Greg Morris
Pennine Industrial celebrated its 50th anniversary with a birthday party for its customers, suppliers and friends.
Approximately 70 people attended a cocktail reception and meal close to its headquarters in Skelmanthorpe, near Huddersfield, UK on Friday night.
The company supplies conveyor chains, sprockets and drives to the glass industry as well as engineered plastics to the plastic industry.
Its Owner, Graham Hobbs (pictured), spoke of his pride at how far the company had come since it was founded as Pennine Technical and Design Services by his father, Leonard, in 1968.
He told the audience: "When I think back 50 years ago my dad had two employees and we're now about 68 employees and I'm proud of that.
"I'm proud of the many people who have worked in one sense for me and in one sense with me. Some of the people have been with me for more than 30 years."
When Graham started working for the business 45 years ago, his father had an idea to do with chains and suggested Graham focus on it.
"He offered me a desk with a phone and that's how I started," said Graham Hobbs.
He added: "Years later people would ask him if it is nice to work with your son and he would joke, I don't know I work for him!"
"I think my father would be very proud to where we are. I'm obviously proud it's a family business, I'm proud of my kids and I'm proud of the fact that for 50 years we have taken on apprentices every year."