A long serving employee at ABT Loadmac finally hung up his welding tools after 26 continuous years service with the company.

Originally Robert Office joined ABT in 1973, he was among the last of the school leavers able to leave at 15. He had a spell away from the company but he told the Gazette that he had completed about 40 years altogether. He joked that he had ‘just about got the hang of it now’.

Rob’s main task has been constructing the chassis for Morgan Sportscar.

To mark his last day at work Greg Dixon-Smith drove a Morgan to the factory to greet him. He also presented a token of appreciation to Rob. He added that anyone driving a Morgan Sportscar produced during the past 26 years was probably sitting on a chassis constructed by Rob.

He said that the style of the Morgan has not changed since the 1930s and without the chassis they could not do anything so Rob’s skill has been a vital component.

Tim Morris, Operations Director at ABT said:?“Rob has been a staple of our business for over 40 years. His experience and knowledge, particularly on the Morgan Sportscar product has been invaluable to us.

“On behalf of everyone at ABT Loadmac I would like to thank him for his work ethic and devotion, which has been exemplary, and we wish him the very best for his well-deserved retirement.”

Rob told the Gazette that he will be taking the opportunity to get out for more rides on his Harley Davidson.