NEWS


1066 and all that: Williams celebrates its longest serving staff


T


hese days holding on to experienced staff can be quite an issue for companies.


However, one King’s Lynn based refrigeration manufacturer seems to be very good at it. So much so that every year Williams celebrates its longest serving members of staff . This year the company recognised the service of employees who have collectively racked up 350 years of service between them. This includes six people who have been with Williams for 20 years, four for 30 years and three people who have reached 40 years at the company. These achievements were marked with a special lunch for all employees and the presentation of gift awards for the long-standing employees. Lee Parkin, manufacturing team leader, has been at the company


for 30 years and can still remember his fi rst day. “I started off helping to build evaporators, and someone swapped my can of drink with some of the water we used to test coils in,” he says. “It was pretty funny, and I’ve not looked back!” Working at Williams has been very rewarding for Lee. “I’ve learned a lot of skills and made a lot of friends along the way.” Mark Rippon, ICT manager, is one of the employees who has reached 40 years at Williams and agrees that it is the people who work there and the variety of the work that make it so special. “I’m extremely grateful for the opportunities I’ve had over the years, which have enabled me to travel and experience almost every part of this business,” he says. “Williams has grown into a global brand over the past 40 years


through innovative technology and design, and it’s the people who work here that have made it what it is. I’m proud to be part of the team!” Staff recognised for their service included ■ 40 years – Mark Rippon, Keith


Panks and Domonic Mace


■ 30 years – Lee Parkin, Carl Muff ett, Angela Mowles and Gerald Armsby


■ 20 years – Neville Gathercole, Philip Bide, Laura Fox, Yvonne Gathercole, Lance Hewitt and Christopher Munnelly.


Cool Designs’ apprentices acquit themselves with distinction in National Qualifi cations


A


pprentices at air conditioning distributor Cool Designs have achieved notable success in


this year’s exams for national industry qualifi cations.


Shawni Dunn, a member of CDL’s


pre-sales project team, achieved distinction in her BTEC Building Services Engineering (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) course, following fi ve years day- release study with Traff ord College. Dunn particularly enjoys working on the project side, where attention to detail and quick turnaround is vital. Next will come more complex projects involving a combination of technologies, such as VRF, chillers and air handling units. Owen Wintle, CDL’s latest trainee, is focussing on the technical, hands-on side of the business, having just passed his F-gas theory and practical


exams with fl ying colours. Wintle has successfully completed


Level 2 and is now studying for his Level 3 in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning at Manchester College’s Wythenshawe Campus. He started working in CDL’s spare parts department before moving on to the technical side. Owen is now working as a trainee air conditioning technician, shadowing an experienced fi eld engineer on site visits across the UK, while continuing his studies on day-release.


What would CDL’s rising stars say to young people considering a career in the industry? Dunn said: “It’s very dynamic and interesting, and the work is very varied. It’s great if you enjoy problem solving and using your initiative to fi gure things out. It’s also great having supportive colleagues and knowing who to ask for help.”


6 September 2023 • www.acr-news.com Wintle said: “The industry is


growing and full of opportunities. There are obviously big challenges on refrigerants and the environment, but the pressure to decarbonise means the industry has a big role to play in the future. CDL have been hugely


supportive, I couldn’t have wished for a better grounding in the industry.” CDL has prioritised training as a key to business development, covering both customer training and its own staff .


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