Boughey Distribution worker clocks up 40 years’ of service

A Boughey Distribution warehouse employee who has clocked up 40 years with the Nantwich firm, even went into work to stocktake for a customer on the morning of his wedding.

Brian Glover, 59, of Tarporley, joined the company in the summer of 1980 when he was 19 after studying at Reaseheath College and working for a short time on a local farm.

Farm work didn’t work out for Brian and a contact suggested he speak to one of the directors at Boughey, Mike Forrester, and he was soon hired.

Brian recalls his first day was “being stuck in a container all day unloading stock” but it clearly didn’t deter him.

He has worked in the company’s warehouse operation all of his career and as a warehouse supervisor, he plays a pivotal role delivering for customers and supporting and managing colleagues.

And he cites technology as the biggest change over the past four decades.

“Being able to control stock by computerisation has made a huge difference,” he said.

“It used to be all manual and memory, problem-solving and looking for missing stock, but that’s not the case today.

“The quality of warehouse racking has massively improved too.

“Managing people has stayed pretty much the same. It’s all about getting the best out of people.”

Over the years, Brian has always worked hard to forge good relationships with Boughey’s customers, which included trips to the US.

“A number of years ago, we had a customer who came here regularly from the US to conduct stocktakes with us.

“He was an avid walker, like me, and joined me and some mates on a trip to the Lake District one weekend.

“In return, he invited me over to where he lived in Maine where we enjoyed fantastic walking and also some hair-raising white-water rafting!”

Brian says he is a perfectionist in his work and that he really enjoys getting involved and sorting out any challenges that may arise.

He says he has never thought about leaving the company and he enjoys the short commute from his home in Tarporley to Boughey’s Wardle base off the A51.

Warehouse Manager Dave Vernon said: “I have worked with Brian for many years and he really is the exemplary employee.

“He has always worked hard, is always willing to take on more work and to put in the extra hours when they’re needed.

“He is calm, polite and is seen by his colleagues as the bedrock of our warehouse operation.

“Many of our customers have got to know Brian over the years and they know that he will always do his absolute best to deliver for them. He is an excellent and skilled warehouse keeper.

“The fact that Brian came in and worked on the morning of his wedding day epitomises his total commitment and dedication to his work.

“To complete 40 years’ service for one company is a very special achievement and Brian deserves to be recognised and applauded for this.

“We just hope he hasn’t got any plans to retire just yet.”

To mark Brian’s milestone, he received gift vouchers and an extra day’s holiday from Boughey.

Brian, a former Tarporley High School pupil, is married to Tina and has two grown-up children, Matthew and Rachael.