The Gold Standard

Two Bardon colleagues reflect on 50 years at Holcim UK

Let us take you all the way back to 1975; a period of cultural significance in the UK and around the world. The blockbuster film Jaws hit cinemas, Ernő Rubik applied for a patent for his ‘Magic Cube’ and Ian White and Graham Robinson started working at Bardon Hill Quarry.

That’s right, Ian and Graham – more commonly known to their colleagues as ‘Speedy’ and ‘Lou’ – first began working at the site 50 years ago. To mark this phenomenal achievement, we sat down with them both to find out what the past five decades have entailed.

Q. What is your current role at Holcim?

Ian: “I’m in charge of the heavy mobile equipment workshop, so I look after all that type of equipment and organise things like servicing and tyre repairs.”

Graham: “I organise and manage the inventory for the site, which means sourcing all the spare parts we need. We also manage fuel deliveries for the machinery on site. We’ve got nearly 100 pieces of equipment now so our work never stops!”

Q. And what was your role when you first joined in 1975?

Ian: “So I was still at school, actually, and I had an interview at Bardon Hill Quarry to become an apprentice. All my friends had gone to work in the pit, but I loved my motorbikes and mechanics so I took the apprenticeship here because it was of more interest to me.”

Graham: “I’d already completed five years in an apprenticeship with various other companies; I spent two years working with electricals and three years working in mechanics on light and heavy vehicles. So, my first proper job here at Bardon Hill Quarry was working on plant hire as a fitter.”

Ian: “At that time the site was owned by the Tom family and they really did make you feel like you were part of their family.”

Q. How much would you say things have changed?

Ian: “In some ways, it’s changed massively and in others, it hasn’t changed at all. In terms of the work we do, the scale of the site has grown enormously. And I would definitely say that health and safety has improved!

“But I’ve lived in Bardon my whole life so, at the same time, not much has changed. My children went to the local school, I’ve played football and cricket for Bardon, so it still feels like one big family here.”

Graham: “We all look after each other – we always have done. I think that’s why a lot of people, like us, tend to stay here for most of their careers. We all get on and the teams are made up of genuinely good people.”

Q. How would you say attitudes to sustainability have changed in the industry over the past five decades?

Graham: “Oh, we take sustainability really seriously here.”

Ian: “I mean, at the end of the day, we’ve only got one planet so we need to look after it.”

Graham: “We actually have a site of special scientific interest where fences have been put up to protect a species of spider that is only known to have been found here. It’s called the Charnwood spider. The company does a lot to protect wildlife here. I remember that when we were developing the new quarry, it took us two years to complete because we rehoused badger setts, great crested newts and bats.”

Ian: “And over the years, we’ve replanted so many trees to compensate for the ground we work on.”

Q. You mentioned the sense of family within the teams at Holcim; do you and your colleagues spend much time together outside of work?

Graham: “Ian and I still keep in touch with some of the people we used to work with back when we first started.”

Ian: “Yes, we do, and I’ve always had motorbikes and been into my mechanics, so I spend a lot of time outside of work doing those kinds of things. I’ve always been quite sporty too. I’ve played rugby, football and golf, and I go fishing with some of the people we work with on site.”

Graham: “Oh and I’ve got a narrowboat, but I haven’t had chance to use it much!”

Q. What would you say is the main reason you’ve stayed at Bardon Hill Quarry for 50 years?

Graham: “Because I’ve enjoyed it so much. I wouldn’t have stayed if I didn’t enjoy it. I’m 72 now and I’m still here – that tells you all you need to know. The people who work here are just wonderful.”

Ian: “The comradeship is really strong here. Everyone is treated as equals and it doesn’t matter where you work on site or what your role is. We all get on and we all help each other out – that’s why I like it so much. The company goes above and beyond to help you; it’s not just because they’re obliged to, which makes a huge difference.

“I think another one of the main reasons I’ve stayed here for so long is because every day is different. My job involves constantly solving puzzles. I look at a problem, assess how I’m going to fix it, ask myself if we have the right tools and make sure it’s safe to carry out the job. I think I’ve learnt that I really like solving puzzles to be able to do it for 50 years!”

Q. And finally, what are you both doing to celebrate such a huge milestone?

Graham: “Well, Holcim has given us a bonus to mark our 50th anniversary so I’m planning on taking my grandkids to Disneyland Paris.”

Ian: “And I’m hoping to put mine towards a cruise. I’m actually going to retire soon so I’m looking forward to starting the next chapter of my life. I also want to thank everybody who’s been with me on my journey at Holcim, it’s really been great.”

Graham: “We also had a party on site to mark the occasion, which was lovely. It was nice to share the moment with everyone because we wouldn’t be able to do our jobs if it wasn’t for the fantastic people we work with.”