KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
28th January 2021

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Ellis Furniture commends loyalty of long serving employees

Ellis Furniture, the Huddersfield-based manufacturer of kitchen and bathroom furniture, is commending the loyalty of its long serving members of staff, as five employees - who have dedicated their careers to Ellis Furniture - have notched up a staggering combined 236 years service to the family-owned furniture manufacturer.

Serving 45 years, 46 years, 47 years and 48 years respectively are David Lee, Raymond Howitt, Jimmy Pawson and Mike Wooley, who have each carved out successful careers and remained loyal to Ellis Furniture throughout; whilst the longest serving employee of the group is David Hughes, who began his career as an apprentice cabinet maker in 1962 and for whom 2012 marks a landmark 50 years' service to the company.

The fruitful career enjoyed by David and his colleagues is testament to the quality of the Ellis Furniture apprenticeship scheme, as well as the stability and success the business has worked hard to provide for all its employees. David's hard work earned him progression from apprentice to assembly and finishing department supervisor, and later roles as production manager, works manager and production director.

With success stories like David's, it is little wonder that the apprentice scheme boasts a superb retention rate and remains as popular today as it was 50 years ago. More than a quarter of the current workforce joined the company as apprentices - and through a continual programme of training, these people have become increasingly skilled and experienced with time. The retention of these experienced apprentices, such as David, plays a pivotal role in the success of the scheme, as these former apprentices nurture each annual intake of apprentices, passing on their skills and experience to their younger counterparts.

"We thoroughly commend the loyalty shown by these long serving employees, who have dedicated their entire careers to Ellis Furniture," says Ellis Furniture director Richard Ellis. "They are incredibly valuable members of our team.

"Our tremendous employee retention rate has resulted in a high number of extremely skilled workers within our ranks, who are competent and flexible across the business processes, and know the business like the back of their hands. These employees, many of whom started out as apprentices themselves, offer a wealth of experience to the promising young craftsmen who we recruit to help build the future of the business.
"The very heart of our business philosophy is to produce each piece of furniture with outstanding care and attention to detail - and our long serving, experienced members of the team play a pivotal role in embedding this philosophy in the next generation."

Image: Former apprentice David Hughes, pictured centre with company directors Tom Ellis and Richard Ellis, has dedicated 50 years' service to Ellis Furniture

T: 01484 514 212
W: www.ellisfurniture.co.uk

22nd June 2012