This summer, Michael Hutchinson Snr celebrated 20 years of being a TFS team member, surrounded colleagues, family and friends. As one of TFS’ longest serving employees; there’s very little he doesn’t know about the business and its people, and there are a million stories he could share.  

Getting started with TFS

Describing himself as a loyal employee, Michael spent 13 years in the job he held prior to joining TFS. His role was to cut boards of plywood to size for the floors of trailers and lorries. 

“That is a much more important job than anyone thinks,” he said. “If that floor is incorrectly cut or fails, thousands of pounds worth of products could be completely ruined.” 

Michael was raising a young family when his previous company moved its HQ to Sheffield, leaving Michael to look for another job. His experience in precision cutting made him a perfect fit for TFS, and he joined the company’s laminating line as an operative. 

 “After that, I got experience on the press line and using the panel saw,” he said, “and over the years I’ve progressed through the company to the role of senior supervisor, which is what I do today, managing a team of six.”

A family affair

It was family that saw Michael apply for his first job at TFS, and to this day it’s still a family affair. Michael’s two sons – Sheldon and Michael Junior – both work for the business full time having initially joined on short term contracts. 

“Sheldon used to be a plasterer and joined us one day a week when we were short of a team member,” he said, “and Michael worked with us during the six weeks holidays while he was at college. Both were quickly settled here and have never left!”

Daily variety

Despite having been with TFS for 20 years, Michael still finds every day interesting and says working on a conveyor belt system is anything but monotonous. 

“We get to carry out trials on new materials, we test products that are going into new build houses, and virtually every request from our clients is different,” he said. “You don’t know what you’re going to get, so whenever I’m driving home I reflect on what we’ve achieved and look forward to what we might get to do the next day. When I arrive at 5am, I’m always ready to rock and roll.”

An upwards ladder

Michael classes himself as the perfect example of where hard work will get you at TFS.

“Like a lot of businesses, you have to start at the bottom and work your way up here,” he said. “If you’re prepared for hard work, you’ll progress, gain more experience and then be rewarded. 

“We’re lucky we all have the opportunity to learn new skills. I also really enjoy working with apprentices who might go to college one day and come to us the other four, and help them carve a career of their own. Everyone starts somewhere, but you have to get stuck in.”

Looking ahead 

Having recently reached his 20 year milestone, Michael is looking ahead to the next few years knowing he’ll be with the company for a long time to come.

“I’m dedicated to TFS and still enjoy working here; I’m ready and switched on for what ever the day might bring, and my priority is ensuring I pass that mantra on to other people. I will always have a strong work ethic and want to show others that commitment to TFS is rewarded in loyalty, support and security.”

 

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