At JC Metalworks, long service is about far more than the number of years someone has worked with us. It represents dedication, expertise, loyalty, and the lasting relationships that make our company what it is today. This month, we are proud to celebrate a remarkable milestone as Ian marks 10 years of service with JC Metalworks.
Affectionately known throughout the business as “Grandad,” Ian has become a familiar and respected figure within the fabrication team. His wealth of experience, positive outlook, and approachable personality have earned him the respect of colleagues across the company.
A Career Built on Experience
Ian’s journey into the steel fabrication industry began with an apprenticeship, laying the foundations for a career spanning decades. His passion for welding and fabrication eventually led him to establish and run his own successful welding business, where he managed a team of ten people and travelled extensively across the UK.
During this time, Ian worked on a wide range of construction projects for some of the country’s biggest retailers, including Morrisons, Tesco, and Sainsbury’s. His expertise in steel fabrication and welding contributed to numerous commercial developments, giving him invaluable experience and a deep understanding of the industry.
Looking back on his career, Ian says he is proud of every stage—from apprentice, to business owner, and now a valued member of the JC Metalworks team. It is a journey that reflects resilience, determination, and a genuine passion for his trade.
Finding the Right Balance
After many years of travelling the country for work, Ian reached a point where he wanted a better work-life balance. Encouraged by his wife to spend less time on the road and more time closer to home, he decided it was time for a new chapter.
Joining JC Metalworks proved to be exactly the right move.
Working just five minutes from home gave Ian the stability he had been looking for while allowing him to continue doing the work he enjoys. He initially joined the business on the night shift before later moving to both the day and afternoon shifts, where he has continued to make an important contribution to the fabrication team.
A decade later, Ian says he wouldn’t change a thing.
A Special Connection to the Building
One of the most fascinating parts of Ian’s story is his unique connection to the very building that JC Metalworks now calls home.
Long before the company occupied the site, Ian as a young 15 year old boy visited the building with his father when it was operated by Whitbread as a warehouse storing Guinness. Years later, while working for Polypipe, Ian fabricated staircases and structural steelwork that are still part of the building today.
To now spend his working days in a building that has featured at different stages throughout his life makes his journey all the more remarkable.
More Than Colleagues
For Ian, one of the most rewarding aspects of working at JC Metalworks has been the people.
Over the past ten years, he has worked alongside colleagues from many different backgrounds and nationalities. He believes these experiences have broadened his horizons and enriched both his working and personal life.
Ian is well known for his friendly personality and ability to build strong relationships with everyone around him. Whether sharing advice, lending a helping hand, or simply enjoying a conversation on the shop floor, he has become someone people naturally enjoy working alongside.
One memorable discovery came when Ian realised that he and Wayne had both attended Charles Keene College in Leicester and completed their apprenticeships around the same time, despite only meeting many years later at JC Metalworks.
Ian has also particularly enjoyed working alongside Simon, someone he had known long before joining JC through previous roles within the steel fabrication industry. These long-standing industry connections demonstrate just how closely knit the fabrication community can be.
Friendship That Lasts
Among the many friendships Ian has built over the years, one stands out in particular—his friendship with Balvir.
Their daily conversations, jokes, and good-natured banter have become an enjoyable part of Ian’s working day. Ian often jokes that Balvir understands him perfectly—at least until he starts using bigger english words!
Their friendship perfectly reflects the supportive and welcoming culture at JC Metalworks, where colleagues become friends and every day brings opportunities to share a laugh. Ian says Balvir will be the colleague he misses most when he eventually retires.
Words of Wisdom
Having spent a lifetime in the welding trade, Ian offers simple but valuable advice to anyone starting their career:
“Welding is all about concentration, focus, and consistency.”
Those few words capture the discipline, precision, and pride that have defined Ian’s own career and continue to inspire those working alongside him.
Life Outside Work
Away from the workshop, Ian enjoys a slower pace of life. Gardening and fishing are among his favourite hobbies, offering the perfect opportunity to relax and unwind.
He is also famously an early riser. Getting up at 5am isn’t just reserved for workdays—it’s part of Ian’s routine every single day, even at weekends.
Thank You, Ian
Over the past ten years, Ian has brought welding expertise to JC Metalworks. He has shared decades of knowledge, supported his colleagues, embraced teamwork, and helped create the positive working environment that makes the company special.
His loyalty, professionalism, and willingness to help others have made him an invaluable member of the fabrication team, while his humour and friendly nature have made him a much-loved colleague.
As Ian celebrates this significant milestone, everyone at JC Metalworks would like to thank him for his dedication and commitment over the past decade.
Congratulations, Ian, on your 10 Years of Service. We are proud to celebrate this achievement with you and look forward to many more shared successes together.
