AN ANDOVER company has recently celebrated the retirement of one of its longest serving staff members, who had been with the firm for nearly 40 years.

Malcolm Lowe started working at RH Technical Industries, a print production business based at Walworth Business Park, in February 1983 after his father - who also worked for the firm at the time - secured him an interview.

Malcolm, now 66, had previously worked as a self-taught motorcycle mechanic, but had been made redundant and was seeking other employment.

He started off working in the company’s stores, then spent a spell as a van driver, before progressing into the production department.

Malcolm’s two brothers, Nigel and Paul, followed in his footsteps and also joined the team. Combined with their father’s time there, and a short spell when their sister also joined the firm, their cumulative total is 124 years of service to the company.

While his brothers continue in their roles, Nigel will soon overtake Malcolm as longest-serving.

“As a family, we are going to miss each other now, because we’re not next to each other every day and we’ve gotten used to it!” said Malcolm.

“Dad said, always do the best you can, and so that’s what we as a family have always done.”

Talking about what he will miss about his job, Malcolm added: “The comradery, the laughs, and the banter! I will miss the team I have left behind and, above everything, the company that’s looked after me.”

Malcolm, who lives in Winchester, said that one thing he won’t miss is the 5.30am starts to get to work, and added that he hopes to spend his retirement riding his motorcycle with friends and seeing more of his extended family.

“When the better weather comes, I intend to get the bike out and ride with friends - you’ve got to do it while you can because time goes so quickly,” he said.

The grandfather-of-five added: “And being able to see my granddaughter’s show or my grandson singing at events - all the things I would miss before because of work.

“It’s just going to be about getting used to the quiet of being home alone - after all the noise of the machines every day!”

The RH team gave Malcom a send off to remember, with a beautiful Harley Davidson themed cake from The Travelling Cupcake and and an engraved Retirement Salver from Test Valley Trophies among several gifts.

They said: “Dedication is something special! We all heartily wish Malcolm the very best for the future - thank you for your outstanding commitment over all these years of service.

“And for any young ‘Malcolms’ out there looking for a new start, we would like to think that RH is still an excellent place for a career after all these years.”