Senior Group Leader Steve Simcox today bid farewell to his colleagues at JCB after spending almost his entire working life at the company.

Steve, 60, of Cheadle, Staffs, trained as a plumber when he left school but spent just four days in the job before joining JCB as a welder. Today he said an emotional farewell to friends and colleagues at the World Headquarters at Rocester where he has worked for his entire 44-year JCB career.

Steve said: “It’s been a real roller-coaster working here – never a dull moment. JCB and the people who work here have a real ‘can do’ attitude and that’s what sets the company apart –there is nothing we can’t do as a team.”

Steve, whose parents Tom and Jean were licensees of The Star pub at Hollington, near Tean, recalled how he gave up his role as a plumber just days after qualifying.

“In 1967 we only had push bikes to get around and I had to cycle 13 miles a day to get to the plumbing job at Blythe Bridge by 7 o’clock in the morning then 13 miles back at night”, he said.

“Bob Boot, who worked at JCB for 42 years, was a member of the darts team at my parents’ pub and he gave me an application form for a job as welder at JCB. I applied and got the job and my daily journey to work by bike went down to a total of just six miles!”

Steve became Welding Shop Foreman in 1988 and progressed to the position of Senior Group Leader in the Backhoe Loader Business Unit. He has also worked as Nightshift Manager and was part of the team that introduced robotic welding into the manufacturing processes at JCB.

Steve added: “In the 1960s when I first started Mr Bamford was still running the company and he would think nothing of showing you how to do a welding job as he did with me when he saw me standing in the yard one Sunday morning!

“JCB has been a great company to work for and I like to think that I have played a small part in helping it get where it is today.”

JCB Chief Executive Alan Blake said: “Steve is from the generation of JCB employees who were the true pioneers, responsible for the success the company enjoys today. Core to that success is manufacturing high quality and robust machines and that couldn’t be achieved without excellent welding and fabrication skills. It’s these skills which Steve has passed down to the next generation, ensuring we have a firm foundation for the future.

“I wish Steve a long and happy retirement and thank him for his contribution over the past 44 years.”

Steve plans to travel with his wife Mavis now he has retired and has already earmarked Borneo and Cambodia as potential destinations.

Picture caption: Farewell after 44 years....Steve Simcox, who joined JCB as a welder in 1967, pictured with welding masks old and new, as he is waved off by colleagues at The World HQ, Rocester, Staffordshire.