Half a century of warmth - The first 50 years of Worcester, Bosch Group - innovation, quality and customer obsession
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Half a century of warmth
The first 50 years of Worcester, Bosch Group –
innovation, quality and customer obsession
Worcester, Bosch Group,
Cotswold Way, Warndon,
worcester-bosch.co.uk Worcester, WR4 9SW
2 Worcester, Bosch Group Half a century of warmth 3
I am extremely proud to introduce this book, which commemorates the 50th anniversary
of our company and presents an overview of where we are today, how we got here and
our vision for the future.
From humble beginnings in an old vinegar factory in Worcester to market leader in energy-
efficient heating systems, for decades our company has stood at the forefront of British
manufacturing. It is the combination of old-fashioned values and cutting edge technology
that I believe makes our brand stand out from the crowd. Leaders in innovation, product
design and quality, we always have and always will strive to achieve greater reliability
and performance for our customers.
As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, I would like to personally thank every employee
who has worked so diligently for our company, every installer who recommends and
installs our products and every homeowner who has purchased one of our products –
we are where we are today because of you.
Richard Soper
CEO
Bosch Thermotechnology Ltd.
4 Worcester, Bosch Group Half a century of warmth 5
Half a century of
British manufacturing
6 Worcester, Bosch Group Half a century of warmth 7
The reception and
main entrance to our
Worcester headquarters.
As a company we are proud of our heritage and all that we have achieved over 50 years. Our history
has spanned periods of economic growth, as well as some difficult economic periods in the country’s
recent history.
We are proud of our brand and brand values and the fact that Worcester has become one of the most respected names in the
heating industry. Throughout the last 50 years we have continuously invested in people, manufacturing processes, product
development, quality control, value-added services for our customers – and will continue to do so in the years to come.
Part of a global family
The Worcester brand is part of The Bosch Group which is a leading global supplier of technology
and services. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and more than 350 subsidiaries and
regional companies in over 60 countries. In 2010, Bosch spent more than €3.8 billion on research
and development, and applied for some 4,000 patents worldwide. With all its products and services,
Bosch enhances the quality of life by providing solutions which are both innovative and beneficial.
The majority shareholder of the Bosch Group is the Robert Bosch Foundation, a charitable foundation that receives donations
from all Bosch Group companies. Since its founding in 1964, the Robert Bosch Foundation has donated over €950 million to a
wide range of causes.
At Worcester, we also undertake regular charity events for both national and local causes. In the last 10 years alone,
we have raised over £400,000.
8 Worcester, Bosch Group Half a century of warmth 9
Right here, right now
Today Worcester, Bosch Group is the UK’s leading boiler manufacturer.
Worcester employs approximately 1,700 people including a network of over 300 service engineers
and more than 80 technically trained field sales personnel.
We are currently manufacturing 300,000 boilers per year in our factories in Worcester and Clay Cross.
Our turnover has grown dramatically over the last 50 years. In 1962, our turnover was £24,000, From past to present: Managing Directors of Worcester
in 2011 this figure has increased to £370 million. during the past 50 years (from the left) Kevin Lee, founder Cecil
Duckworth OBE, Bosch Thermotechnology CEO Richard Soper
and present Managing Director Carl Arntzen.
10 Worcester, Bosch Group Half a century of warmth 11
Product innovation
The period since the turn of the millennium has been the most
prolific time for product development and new product launches.
It began with the introduction of the first Worcester condensing
boilers and has continued with the introduction of a
comprehensive range of renewable technology products.
Products launched since the millennium
2001 – Greenstar HE series of condensing boilers. 2008 – Greensource air to air and air to water heat pumps.
2004 – Greenstar Highflow 440 combi boiler and 2011 – Greenfloor underfloor heating.
Greenstar Ri regular boilers.
2011 – Greenstore TC cylinders.
2005 – Greenstar i Junior, Greenstar Si and Greenstar
CDi series of combi, system and regular boilers. 2011 – Worcester GB162 commercial boiler.
2005 – Greenskies flat panel solar thermal water heating. 2011 – Greenskies evacuated tube solar thermal water heating.
2007 – Greenstore ground source heat pumps 2012 – Greenstream mechanical ventilation and heat recovery.
and unvented cylinders.
2012 – Greenspring commercial water heater.
2007 – Greenstar Camray, Greenstar Camray External
and Greenstar Heatslave oil-fired boilers.
12 Worcester, Bosch Group Half a century of warmth 13
Success that’s recognised
As a company we pride ourselves on delivering world class products and
services to our customers and therefore have exacting quality standards
and processes to ensure that we meet our objectives. We continually
challenge ourselves as a company to continuously improve so we are
delighted when we receive independent recognition for the work that
we do. We are proud of each and every award that we have won,
(some of which are listed below) and we are particularly proud
of our latest award from Which? magazine’s readers.
Awards
2005 – CORGI Award for Best Technical Support.
CORGI Award for Boiler of the Year – Greenstar.
Investors in People Accreditation.
2006 – CORGI Award for Domestic Heating Product of the Year.
2007 – CORGI Award for Boiler of the Year – Greenstar.
CORGI Energy Efficient Product of the Year – Greenskies Solar.
OFTEC Regional and National Training Centre of the Year.
2008 – CORGI Energy Efficient Product of the Year – Greenskies Solar.
OFTEC Award for Excellence for Green Initiative of the Year.
Investors in People re-accreditation.
By royal appointment 2010 – OFTEC Award for Best Technical Support.
Receiving the Customer Service Awards for
Top 50 Call Centres (top).
One of 4 consecutive wins from CORGI (bottom).
Customer Service Awards for Top 50 Call Centres.
In 2009, we were honoured to receive a Royal Warrant in recognition of
supplying goods to Her Majesty, the Queen, joining one of 850 companies 2011 – Winners of 23 Which? Best Buy Awards – Greenstar gas-fired boilers.
and individuals to hold a Royal Warrant. At Worcester, quality products and Customer Service Awards for Top 50 Call Centres.
Bosch Thermotechnology Ltd. services are at the very top of our agenda and the Royal Warrant helps to Investors in People re-accreditation.
received the Royal Warrant in 2009. further reinforce our commitment to achieving the highest standards
possible in everything we do.
As a thriving British company, we were also privileged to have the chance
to demonstrate our manufacturing facilities and the products we produce at
Worcester to His Royal Highness, The Duke of Kent. During the prestigious
visit, our aim was to provide HRH with an even greater understanding of the
Bo
importance of upgrading home-heating systems to meet Government targets
ile 11
rs Se 20
in years to come. ptember
14 Worcester, Bosch Group Half a century of warmth 15
As committed to the
environment as we
are to our customers
Worcester’s dedication to quality and continuous improvement
extends beyond our products. As part of the Bosch Group, corporate
100% recyclability. responsibility is an intrinsic part of our business and this is
demonstrated by the commitment we have to being an environmentally
responsible manufacturer. From detailed environmental policies to our
Environment 2020 awards, from Energy Homes across the country to
creating a children’s book aimed at educating future generations, we are
continually looking for new ways to minimise our impact on the planet.
Environmental milestones
1999 – Environment 2010 was launched.
2007 – Launch of ‘Picture a Greener Future’ children’s book. Pupils from Eldersfield Primary School
on a visit to the Worcester Energy House.
Joe Swift and Alan 2008 – Environment 2010 re-branded as Environment 2020 in line
Titchmarsh on our with the Government’s carbon reduction targets for 2020.
Gold award winning
Energy Homes project commenced.
Chelsea Flower
Show garden.
2010 – A partnership was set up with a Swansea-based company
which transforms Worcester’s previously non recyclable
waste, including some plastics, into an eco-friendly
concrete replacement.
100% recyclability for all our products was accomplished,
thereby achieving zero waste to landfill.
2011 – Worcester wins award for investment and commitment Since it was first published in 2007,
we have sent out over 110,000 copies
to sustainability.
of our ‘Picture a Greener Future’
children’s book (above).
2011 – Worcester wins Royal Horticultural Society gold medal Keith Jones of the Wolseley Group with
Energy Homes. at the Chelsea Flower Show. Children’s Competition 2011 winner
Donna Thomas and Steve Lister of
Worcester (left).
16 Worcester, Bosch Group Half a century of warmth 17
How we got to
where we are
Late 1960s – Cecil Duckworth with members of his
team and a prototype Firefly pressure jet boiler (left).
2011 – Carl Arntzen with some of the team
behind the development of our cutting edge
Greenstar condensing boiler (above).
18 Worcester, Bosch Group Half a century of warmth 19
Hoppamat Highflow Greenskies
Greenstar HE evacuated tube solar thermal
Firefly
CDi
Greenskies
Heatslave 9.24 flat plate solar thermal
Delglo Senior Electronic Si Greenstar
Camray
19 62 75
19 80
19 19 82 19 87 19 90 96
19 98
19 2001 20 05 20 07 20 11
OUR PRODUCTS THROUGH THE DECADES
19 70 19 77 19 82 19 85 19 92 1997 00
20 20 05 20 06 20 08
Danesmoor Heatslave CBi Series
Greensource
9.24 air source heat pumps
Heatslave 230, 240 Greenstar Ri, Si,
Heatslave i Series
& 280 i Junior & CDi
Junior Greenstore
ground source heat pumps20 Worcester, Bosch Group Half a century of warmth 21
50 years of brand development 2000s
It’s not just our products which have seen significant development over the last five decades. Our logo and brand imagery have also
seen massive evolution, from the ‘engineering’ look of the early sixties, to the more modern, consumer-oriented look of today’s
logo and marketing communications material.
1980s
1970s
1960s
1990s
WORCESTER ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED
WE C22 Worcester, Bosch Group Half a century of warmth 23
“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”
Neil Armstrong
The innovative Sixties
In post-war 1960s Britain, change was not only necessary for future prosperity but also very much in evidence. As a result, this became
a decade of great challenge, opportunity and innovation – the environment into which Worcester Engineering was born. A visionary
company founded in 1962 that within a year had already established itself as a pioneer in the fledgling oil-fired central heating market.
• First manned space flight. • Audio cassette and first computer video game invented.
• The Beatles arrived on the scene. • President Kennedy assassinated.
• World’s first heart transplant. • Colour TV first broadcast in Britain.
1960 s24 Worcester, Bosch Group Half a century of warmth 25
Outgrowing our premises as we rapidly
expanded was a feature of the company’s
development in the 1960s.
This decade saw…
1962 – The first home of Worcester Engineering at
the Old Vinegar Works in St. Martins Gate in
the centre of Worcester. The company soon
moved to Foundry Walk in Worcester.
1963 – Worcester Engineering quickly established
itself as a leading supplier of oil-fired The Firefly was the first boiler manufactured
by the Worcester Engineering Company.
central heating equipment – with the
Firefly oil boiler range.
1968 – The company had grown to such an extent
that it needed to move to new premises –
to Diglis, east of the River Severn.
Where it all began 50 years ago…
The Old Vinegar Works (top).
Foundry Walk (far left).
Diglis factory (left).26 Worcester, Bosch Group Half a century of warmth 27
“Pennies don’t fall from Heaven – they have to be earned here on Earth”
Margaret Thatcher
The challenging Seventies
The 1970s was a decade of milestones and mixed fortunes. Industrialised nations were hit by a world oil crisis, and strike-torn
Britain welcomed the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, the birth of glam rock and decimal currency, and elected Margaret Thatcher as the
country’s first woman Prime Minister.
For Worcester Engineering it was a time to take the business forward by forging lucrative new opportunities.
• The Arab-Israeli conflict. • The take-off into service of Concorde and the Boeing 747.
• The UK joined the EEC (which became the EU). • Globally, throughout the decade, there was growing
environmental awareness and opposition to
nuclear weapons.
1970 s28 Worcester, Bosch Group Half a century of warmth 29
Despite the economic and industrial problems of the 1970s,
the company continued to expand.
This decade saw…
1970 – Worcester Engineering signed a licensing agreement with
Sunwave that allowed the Japanese company to manufacture
our Firefly Dynaflame boilers and Heatslave units in Japan.
1971 – With conversion of town gas to North Sea gas, Worcester
anticipated the increasing demand for gas-fired appliances,
introducing a revolutionary new concept to the UK – the combi.
1973 – The 15,000 sq.ft. of floor space at the Diglis factory was
doubled with the building of a new extension, officially
opened by Lord Walker.
1973 – The Yom Kippur War in the Middle East made people look
for ways of reducing their dependency on oil – then the fuel
for 95% of central heating boilers in the UK. The tide was
turning in the direction of gas.
1977 – Growth through acquisition was the decision made in 1977,
Lord Walker officially opens the factory in Diglis (top left). when Worcester bought Delglo Appliances (and the already
Beatrice and Cecil Duckworth with a model of the new factory (top right). well established Danesmoor brand of oil boilers) from Delta
An aerial view of the factory (middle right). Metals in Clay Cross, Derbyshire.
The Delglo factory at Clay Cross (bottom).30 Worcester, Bosch Group Half a century of warmth 31
“Feed the world… do they know it’s Christmas time at all?”
Bob Geldof
The eventful Eighties
The 1980s were unforgettable for the multi-venue Live Aid concerts held around the world in aid of famine victims in Ethiopia.
This was also the age of Yuppies, BMX bikes, two British royal weddings and the fall of the Berlin Wall.
For Worcester it was a very eventful time too – recovering from a fire which destroyed the Diglis factory and overcoming
water bye-law objections to develop the cost-saving and space-saving combi boiler concept.
• Rubik’s Cube puzzled the world. • Clive Sinclair launched the C5 electric vehicle.
• Argentina invaded the Falklands. • Ernie Wise made the first UK mobile phone call.
• Tim Berners-Lee’s worldwide web was proposed.
Cecil Duckworth and staff celebrate the
re-opening of the factory after the 1983 fire
with Peter Walker and his son, current
Worcester MP, Robin Walker.
1980 s32 Worcester, Bosch Group Half a century of warmth 33
The 1980s was a decade which saw so many developments 1987 – Worcester Engineering was renamed
come after what could have been a disaster. and Worcester Heat Systems was born.
This decade saw… 1987 – Construction started on Worcester’s very first
1983 – On the 8th July, the factory at Diglis was destroyed by fire. Training Academy.
Within three weeks the company was manufacturing boilers
again… and 104 days later the factory had been rebuilt. 1988 – The phenomenal growth of the company saw us looking
for new, larger premises. An 11 acre site was purchased to
1984 – Despite obstructions from the Water Authorities, the North of the City of Worcester, that would eventually
Worcester continued to develop the combi concept, allow the company to operate from just one site.
eventually winning its battle in the early 1980s as
the water bye-laws were relaxed. 1988 – Also saw the acquisition of a training centre
in Amersham.
1986 – Worcester needed to increase equity capital and was
floated on the London Stock Market. The share price
went from £1.10 to £13.00 in 18 months.
Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of
the workforce the factory was fully
operational in just over three months.
The Worcester Sales Team in the 1980s (above), Group shot with the first Heatslave Junior
with Richard Soper, Ray Young and Malcolm Cox produced after the fire of 1983. Carl Arntzen
who are still with Worcester today. (6th from left) and Graham Mann (5th from right)
Cecil and Beatrice Duckworth about to cut the are still with Worcester today.
cake at our 25th anniversary party (right).34 Worcester, Bosch Group Half a century of warmth 35
“The time is always right to do right”
Nelson Mandela
The notable Nineties
The last decade of the 20th century saw the release after 27 years’ imprisonment of Nelson Mandela, one of the world’s most
popular statesmen. Other major events included the collapse of the Soviet Union, the opening of the Channel Tunnel and the
return of Hong Kong from Britain to China.
For Worcester it marked the opening of the advanced new production facilities and headquarters at Warndon on the outskirts
of the city – the beginning of a whole new era.
• Hubble telescope launched into space. • Launch of the National Lottery.
• Worldwide web was launched. • Nelson Mandela won the Nobel Peace Prize
and was elected President of South Africa.
• Copper Age man found frozen in a glacier.
1990 s
Cecil Duckworth and Dr. Clemens Börsig,
main board member, Bosch Group.36 Worcester, Bosch Group Half a century of warmth 37
The 1990s was a landmark decade for Worcester.
This decade saw… Donations to the 1990 Romanian Appeal (below).
1990 – ‘Phase 1’ of our new Worcester headquarters was opened.
1990 – Acquisition of Radson – a leading manufacturer of
condensing boilers with a good market share in both
Belgium and the Netherlands.
1992 – The company was operating fully from its new headquarters
in Worcester.
1992 – After two years of negotiations, Worcester Heat Systems joined
the Bosch Group to become an important element of Europe’s
premier domestic heating equipment company.
1995 – Cecil Duckworth became president of the Bosch Heating
Division, the first Englishman to head up a Bosch Division.
1996 – Saw the launch of the 24CDi, the first model in the CDi series,
which took Worcester’s gas combi range to a new higher level.
1996 – Cecil Duckworth retired.
1999 – Worcester’s focus on important environmental issues led
to the launch of Environment 2000 (an award scheme celebrating
environmentally-friendly installations). This quickly developed
into a long term vision for the company and subsequently
became Environment 2020.
Research and development, the training academy
and manufacturing during the 1990s (top, centre
and bottom).
Technical and consumer contact centres
(top and centre).
Building of the Worcester headquarters (bottom).38 Worcester, Bosch Group Half a century of warmth 39
“Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to
an environment where excellence is expected”
Steve Jobs
The new millennium
The arrival of the 21st century heralded huge advances in technology and communications. The Internet, wireless broadband,
Smartphones, hybrid cars and computer-generated imagery in films and animation are now the norm.
Concerns over climate change and global warming are higher on the agenda than ever – and addressed by Worcester with a
growing and increasingly innovative family of renewable heating and hot water solutions.
• Terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre. • Detailed images and data transmitted to Earth
from the Red Planet by the Mars Exploration Rover.
• The Euro became the new common currency
of 12 European countries. • Barack Obama elected as the USA’s first black president.
Worcester’s first TV commercial went on air in the
autumn of 2010 and featured Piglet, a talking dog.
2000 s40 Worcester, Bosch Group Half a century of warmth 41
It’s been a busy time for Worcester since the turn of the century.
This decade saw…
2000 – CBi series and a wall hung Danesmoor oil boiler launched.
2001 – The Greenstar HE series is introduced.
2003 – The opening of the new Training Academy at Worcester.
Purpose-designed, purpose-built, the first of its kind in the UK.
2004 – The launch of our all new high efficiency range of condensing
boilers, starting with the Greenstar Highflow 440 and Greenstar Ri. The Leader of the Opposition, The Secretary of State for Energy and
The £1.5 million Training and Assessment
the Rt Hon Ed Miliband with our Climate Change, Chris Huhne visits the
facility at our Worcester headquarters.
manufacturing apprentices. Worcester factory – 17th November 2011.
2005 – The Greenstar i Junior, Greenstar Si and Greenstar CDi
are added to the new boiler range.
2005 – We complement our heating and hot water range with
Greenskies solar thermal water heating.
2005 – We win a CORGI award for ‘Best Technical Support’ and the
Greenstar CDi wins its first CORGI award for ‘Boiler of the Year’.
2006 – The £2 million Energy Atrium is opened by Malcolm Wicks MP,
Minister of State for Energy.
Our Technical 40 years of Worcester in 2002. Pictured (L-R):
Helpline handles over Richard Soper, David Hall, Keith Jones, Cecil
2006 – The launch of Greenstore ground source heat pumps.
450,000 calls a year. Duckworth, Brigitte Malige and Hans-Dieter Eckhardt.
2007 – New products arrive including the Greenstar Camray
and Greenstar Heatslave and Camray external models.
The millionth boiler comes off the production line in
2009 (left) and a unique ‘pink’ Greenstar boiler was
2008 – We were awarded ‘Regional’ and ‘National’ Training Centre
auctioned in aid of Breast Cancer Research in 2010.
of the Year from OFTEC.
2008 – The renewables portfolio was extended with the introduction
of Greensource air to water and air to air heat pumps.
2008 – Further developments in our unique ‘Energy Homes’ project with Changing condensing boiler legislation
the opening of a purpose-equipped showcase property in Worcester. saw Worcester pioneer ‘A’ rated
condensing boilers.
Pictured (L-R): Steve Lister,
2009 – An official visit of His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent and
Martyn Bridges, Richard Soper
Bosch Thermotechnology Ltd. received the Royal Warrant. and Neil Schofield.
We also launched our own YouTube channel.42 Worcester, Bosch Group Half a century of warmth 43
Technically speaking
Martyn Bridges – 26 years of service
I started at Worcester in 1986 and over the past 26 years have when the engineering
worked my way up from being a Technical Services Engineer to my services department
current position as Director of Marketing and Technical Support. was added to the now
four departments I am
My first role in the technical services department included a involved with.
variety of tasks; although I was mainly answering telephone
calls from installers that needed assistance. I also used to Throughout my career
create heating designs; at that time we only had one other I have seen many changes,
person in that department providing a free of charge heating not just within the company
design service. The nice thing is that this still happens today but in the market and in
but on a CAD system (Computer Aided Design) whereas in technology. When I first
my day we did it on a drawing board. I also used to help out started at Worcester, the
in the research and development department – mainly with water regulations didn’t
the installation instructions and wiring diagrams. allow you to fit a combi
boiler, you had to apply to
I was in that role for two or three years, during which time the the water authority for
training department was starting to grow. At that point, I joined dispensation – which seems
Neil Schofield (a name most in the industry will know) in the odd by today’s standards.
training department as a Training Engineer from 1989 to 1994. Similarly, wall-hung boilers
Between ourselves we covered the country, Neil basically looked were just in their infancy
after the South of the country and I did the North. and now they are common
place. In the seventies and
In 1994, I became a Product Manager. I was given the task of eighties nearly every boiler
analysing the products and the market to identify gaps and future was floor standing and now
trends. I would then be required to create a specification for any that trend has reversed.
new products and help with the development and market launch. Things have changed, as of
course they were bound to,
After five years as Product Manager, I was asked to manage the but I suppose the biggest
training department as well, so my title was changed to Technical change I have seen is how
Manager. By this point another three product managers had reliable boilers have become, even though they have hundreds
joined the team so my new job involved overseeing product more components in them than boilers did thirty years ago.
management, heating design, and training. This constant change fascinates me.
My role expanded further in 2005 as I became responsible for the Worcester, Bosch Group has supported me through all
marketing department and was promoted to Director of Marketing of my career advances and I am so proud to be part of
and Technical Support. The final change to my role was in 2008 such a fantastic company.44 Worcester, Bosch Group Half a century of warmth 45
Laying
1. Allan Jones 14. Mark Asher 27. Samantha Grundy 39. Jack Ormrod We would also like to recognise past employees who
Returns Operative Quality Technician Rebate Claims Co-Ordinator 5S Project Leader have made a significant contribution to our success…
40 years service 32 years service 29 years service (Production Leader)
26 years service Cecil Duckworth
foundations
2. David Shaw 15. Kevan Mulliss 28. Simon Smith Managing Director 1962-1995
Scheduler Welder 40. Neil Golding
Factory Operative
37 years service 32 years service Senior Production
29 years service Kevin Lee
& Project Engineer
for a strong
3. Robert Hays 16. Mavis Price 26 years service Managing Director 1995-2001
29. Mark Duckworth
Welder Factory Operative
36 years service Factory Operative 41. Martyn Bridges
32 years service
29 years service Director of Marketing David Steade
future
4. Eric Lloyd 17. Trevor Martin & Technical Support Research and Development Director
Payroll Manager Material Flow Operative 30. Mark Suthard 26 years service
36 years service 32 years service Packer
David Jones
29 years service 42. Peter Holt
5. Harold Clissett 18. David Scaysbrook Factory Operative Sales Director – Boilers
Driver Quality Team Leader 31. Martyn Lewis 26 years service
Employees have always played a vital role in the
36 years service
32 years service Factory Operative Arthur Money
success of Worcester. As a company we have 43. Melvyn Day
6. Paul Mulliss 28 years service Customer Services Director
always been committed to employee training and 19. Graham Mann Factory Operative
Support Team Leader 26 years service
development. This has helped to ensure their loyalty Production Leader 32. Johanna Malcolm
36 years service
and commitment to the company. As well as having 32 years service Office & Purchase Nigel Collis
44. David May
a significant number of long serving members of the 7. Robert Starkey Ledger Supervisor Product Audit Group Financial Director
20. Christopher Slater
workforce – some of whom are listed here – we have Senior Team Leader 28 years service Team Leader
Quality Technician
35 years service 26 years service David Hall
many members of the same families who work for us, 31 years service
33. Paul Fowler
sometimes covering three generations. 8. John Shacklock 45. Martyn Grubb Manufacturing Director
21. Andrew Steeples Spares Operative
Despatch & Returns Supervisor Factory Operative
Welder 27 years service
34 years service 26 years service Roy Hill
But it’s not always about what we do for our 31 years service
34. Shaun Clarke Customer Service Director
employees in the working environment. We also 9. Paul Warman 46. Sean White
22. David Rossiter Heating Design Engineer
have a strong social conscience and believe in being Senior Team Leader Group Leader
Factory Operative 26 years service
34 years service 26 years service Shirley Wickens
‘family inclusive’. We hold regular family fun days and 30 years service
other local events, as well as providing support for 35. Steven Brown Internal Sales Manager
10. Sarah Lawrence 47. Neil Cox
those who wish to take part in charity raising events. Personal Assistant to the Finance 23. Keith Owens Factory Operative Production Operative
& Administration Director Toolroom Team Leader 26 years service 26 years service Terry Kay
34 years service 29 years service
Team Leader – Manufacturing
36. Andrew Davies 48. John Baylis
11. John West 24. Terence Wallbank Metrology Team Leader
Production Leader
Field Service Engineer Product Audit Technician 26 years service Roddy Reeves
26 years service
34 years service 29 years service Engineer
49. Robert Kershaw
37. Albert Taylor
12. Malcolm Cox 25. Kristian Arntzen Quality Technician
Distribution Manager Factory Operative Fred Penn
Technical Sales Manager 25 years service
34 years service 29 years service 26 years service
Driver
50. Clive Thomas
13. Colin Cartwright 26. Jane Ormrod 38. Anthony Hodnett Technical Support
Factory Operative Production Delivery Manager Stores Operative Team Leader Brian Sherwood
33 years service 29 years service 26 years service 25 years service Quality Technician46 Worcester, Bosch Group Half a century of warmth 47
As time goes by
Allan Jones, Worcester’s longest serving employee
I started at Worcester in October 1972 at the age of 23. The and moved on, when you
company was called Worcester Engineering Company back look at the size of the
then and was much smaller than it is today with less than one company and the product
hundred employees. I was interviewed by Cecil Duckworth, innovations and
who was the owner of the company at the time, before it developments. But the
became part of the Bosch Group. people here are certainly
one of the main reasons
During my time at Worcester, I’ve done most jobs from the why I have been at
production floor through to parts. Back in 1972, I was a Worcester for as long
factory operative and started out on the spot welding, for as I have and why I will Allan in 1972, the year
around three or four months. I then moved onto other roles be here until I retire in he started at Worcester.
including guillotine operator, which involved cutting the boiler two years time.
panels, press operator, folding the boiler panels. I then
became a test operative, checking the finished boilers. I have so many fond memories through the years; the staff
parties were always fun and the work we did with local
I now work within the logistics department and do a bit of schools was very rewarding. I was often called upon to
everything day-to-day. So throughout my 40 years of service entertain everyone and have taken on the roles of Frank
I really have worked at every stage of the boiler manufacturing Spencer, Father Christmas, Noddy and Superman through
process, with my current responsibilities being to inspect and the years and have run, cycled, swam or canoed for various
test products at the final stages of production. In the last few events to raise money for different causes; something that
years, I’ve also been involved in our “Zero waste to landfill” Worcester is very supportive of. In fact, some of the children
recycling project, which has helped us to achieve 100% I entertained back then now work here and that’s why I am
recyclability for all our products. proud to say I’ve been here for 40 out of the 50 years
Worcester has been going. It doesn’t seem like I have been
When I joined Worcester all those years ago, it was like a here that long but I’m looking forward to the celebrations
family and despite how much the company has grown since and I hope Worcester continues to grow in the way that it
then, there is still that feeling. Things have of course changed has as it’s a great company to work for.48 Worcester, Bosch Group Half a century of warmth 49
Way back when
Meet Ron Sims, one of Worcester’s
longest serving customers
I set up my own business in 1974 in the heart of I think that is why year on year I’ve always used
Worcestershire and right from its infancy, I used them, because I know that they are reliable and
Worcester boilers. My company is called Ron Sims that they are the best for the customer. Also I know
Heating & Electrical Services Ltd and although I have that I have the support base from Worcester.
continued to develop it over the years, it remains a
family business today. Before I started up Ron Sims, Over the years at Worcester, we have built up
my first job was at a company called James Ward of really good relationships with their personnel.
Worcester. I used to go and see Cecil Duckworth in his The company has grown significantly and we have
workshop, who was the owner of the company many watched the people grow with it – it is great to have
years before it became part of the Bosch Group, been a part of that. Although you can't deny that
it was called Worcester Engineering back then. things have changed. In 1974 we were collecting
boilers from Cecil in the workshop and installing
I’ve been working in the heating industry since them in homes and I am still doing that really –
1955 and I’ve seen how things have progressed. things are just on a bigger scale with more advanced
I remember working with Cecil when he was first product innovations. But the name, “Worcester
starting out and I used to install the Firefly boilers. Bosch” is sought after, that hasn’t changed for
Times have changed since then and so have we, 50 years and I don't think it will anytime soon.
hence we are now starting to install renewable
technologies. Even my customers have changed, I have had many good experiences through the
twenty years ago the majority of my installations years; I even did the installer calendar a couple
were for commercial properties and now it’s of years back which was really fun. I think that
diversified to a fairly high volume of private is why I have used Worcester for so long. I know
customers. Ron Sims installs in the region of 60 that their products are good, I know that the
Worcester boilers a year mainly in the local area. people are nice, I know that should I need their
support I would have it. But I think mostly before
I do not get involved personally now, but what I and I even suggest a Worcester boiler to my customers,
my staff notice is that nine times out of ten we will they have suggested it to me or my employees and
go and service a Worcester boiler that we have that really is a testament to such a good company.
installed and it will still be in very good health.50 Worcester, Bosch Group Half a century of warmth 51
What will
tomorrow bring?
My immediate aim is to take a ‘forward thinking’ approach to the business. We’ve got
a great heritage and very strong foundations upon which to build, so naturally we’re
focusing firmly on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Whilst there is huge growth potential in maintaining and strengthening our core
business, we also have fantastic opportunities for expansion through diversification.
This will involve moving into new markets and product segments that we haven’t
traditionally operated in before.
I am excited about what tomorrow will bring to our brand.
Carl Arntzen Carl Arntzen in the new Training and
Assessment Academy at Worcester.
Managing Director
Worcester, Bosch GroupHalf a century of warmth
The first 50 years of Worcester, Bosch Group –
innovation, quality and customer obsession
Worcester, Bosch Group,
Cotswold Way, Warndon,
worcester-bosch.co.uk Worcester, WR4 9SWYou can also read
