Member Article

Was it Phil or was it Dan?

Two men, who together have almost 80 years service with a leading North East Engineering firm, have sent their bosses scrabbling through company records.

For years, it was thought that Phil Lees, who joined Express Engineering in 1974, was the business’ first apprentice.

But when he was photographed with the newest and 100th recruit – 17-year-old Andrew McKie from North Shields – another long serving employee stepped forward to claim that honour.

Jeffrey – or Dan as he’s known at Express – Archer told his managers that he started with the company in its first year - 1973 – a year before Phil joined the growing team.

Close examination of the records revealed he was right but also why it had been assumed Phil was the first new kid on the block.

For Dan spent several years working for an Express offshoot company - which no longer exists – before returning to his original employer and rejoining Phil at the new headquarters on ‘The Valley’.

Said Dan, 57 and from Dunston: “I was a bit shocked when I saw Phil pictured with Andrew because I was sure I had started before him. So I told my boss and they went away to look at the records again. It turned out that I was right and Phil’s been good enough to shake my hand and congratulate me.”

Added Phil, 56 and from Gateshead: “I can see how the misunderstanding has come about. At the end of the day I think we both go to show that working for Express Engineering is enjoyable and rewarding and that’s why we have stuck around for so long.”

Of the 100 apprentices taken on by the company, launched by Keith Thompson in 1973, three quarters (75) remain employed.

It is now part of a group of diverse operations - led by Keith’s son Chris – which last year turned over in excess of £60 million and employed around 800 people.

Express Engineering’s turnover has gone through the £30 million mark for the first time as the company celebrates 40 years in business, following five years of expansion which has seen manufacturing floor space and staff levels more than double.

Managing Director, Nigel Davison, said: “It’s funny how, as time goes by, things can become accepted as fact when closer examination shows that it was actually different. Now we all know who our first apprentice was and why we didn’t realise it.

“Dan and Phil both deserve congratulations for being loyal, hard working employees and examples to many others who have followed.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Paul Dobbie .