After a very impressive 53 years of hard work at Tong Engineering, the Spilsby-based vegetable handling equipment manufacturer has bid farewell to its longest-serving employee, Brian Grant, as he moves onto his next venture; retirement.
Brian has worked with four generations of the Tong family during his time at Tong Engineering, joining the company whilst current Managing Director Edward Tong’s great-grandfather and grandfather (respectively) Edmund and Ken Tong, were running the business. Brian has witnessed all four generations of the Tong family play a key role in the business, subsequently seeing both Charles and Edward take on the role of Managing Director over the years. Now Chairman, Charles Tong, has commented; “Back in the days before computers were used in the business, Brian was the company’s version of a personal hard drive – with specific details and information on all the machines stored away in his brain! There is very little that Brian hasn’t known over the span of his career at Tong.”
Brian Grant, who also lives in Spilsby, began his journey at Tong Engineering back in 1967 where he started on the shop floor. He has worked at Tong over the many years that have seen significant changes in both the company’s manufacturing capabilities and industry demands; witnessing the transition of the well-known Tong wooden sorters of the 50s, to today’s equivalent, the world-renowned Caretaker mobile grader.
Speaking of his time at Tong, Brian said “The company has changed beyond recognition. Back in the old days our skills were centred around joinery, but the engineering and technology that goes into our current machines is phenomenal. The company is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year and having been part of the company for 53 of those years, shows it is a good sound company to work for. I’m sure Tong will continue to grow through the next generations, and I am looking for to watching this growth as the new Tong factory brings even greater manufacturing capacity and capabilities.”
Managing Director Edward Tong paid-tribute to Brian’s dedication and outstanding commitment to the business; “Having long-standing members of the team, like Brian, has helped us to maintain a personal, friendly, experienced and family-run culture. We are very lucky that many of our employees have been with the company for several years, demonstrating a commitment to the business which has been vital to our growth and development.”
“Brian has been a vital member of our team; with endless knowledge, expertise and a memory that has been constantly put to the test! He will be very-much missed, but we of course wish him all the very best for a long and happy retirement that he so deserves,” added Edward.
For more information on Tong Engineering and the company’s latest range of handling equipment visit www.tongengineering.com.