27 Sep 2017

Quartzelec recognises another 50 Years of service

An employee achieving 50 years continuous service with any business these days is a rare occurrence but at Quartzelec, the Rugby based independent engineering service provider that’s globally recognised as an expert in rotating electrical machines, this now happens with regularity.

Pictured is Peter Valentine (right) with Quartzelec MD Daniel Laval.  

The latest name to be added to the esteemed company roster for achieving 50 years of ‘continuous’ service was Peter Valentine, an Applications Engineer and internally referred to as the ‘Archive Guru’, who has made a substantial contribution to the business since joining with AEI in July 1967 as a Technician Apprentice.

Having worked in a number of roles in the Drawing Office, Peter possesses unique experience and knowledge of all design aspects of AEI/GEC, AC and DC machines plus has the most in-depth knowledge of the archive, which he puts to excellent use by sharing freely with customers via Quartzelec’s growing rank of engineers, project managers and site teams. 

Peter’s dedication to his job, his calm approach and manner, smart appearance, quiet polite efficiency and regular fitness regime see him regarded as ‘a true gentleman’ and made him a role model for many of his younger colleagues.  

At a company event in July, a presentation was made by Technical Services General Manager Stephen Densley with various comments about Peter being voiced including:  “Pete is a source of information for all of our engineers, project managers and site team, and advice is freely given in his polite and calm style.” “He has always been happy to provide insights into the workings of the archives explaining how to find that elusive detail, teaching all those who are interested, the nomenclature of our legacy brands.” “He has dedicated his working career to tirelessly providing first GEC-ESL and then Cegelec and Quartzelec with invaluable engineering solutions.” And finally: “His fitness regime, working ethic and always helpful nature should be revered as a goal for us all.”

Back in January 2015, Frank Brown, a Facilities Maintenance Manager, and then again in September that year Roger Regan, the Technical Director at the Rugby headquarters, both celebrated 50 years’ continuous service and became the founding members of the illustrious 50+ group.  And this ‘tradition’ is set to continue at Quartzelec with 16 others already standing in the wings each with 40+ years’ service.  The latest to celebrate 40-years’ service was Ashokkumar (Ash) Modasia, who joined the business as a Press Operator for GEC Large Machines in mid-June 1977, the same summer that Queen Elizabeth celebrated her Silver Jubilee.  

At the other end of the employee spectrum almost two dozen staff have been recruited over the summer alone to strengthen and help meet growing delivery requirements across Quartzelec’s UK facilities.  These include electricians, electrical supervisors, machinists, engineers, sheet metal workers, commissioning engineers and electromechanical fitters. Quartzelec’s international operations in Abu Dhabi have also increased their workforce with the addition of approved electricians and electrical engineers.

“We are truly proud of our ability to both attract and retain quality staff,” stated Daniel Laval, Quartzelec’s Managing Director. “Our business is driven by integrity, underpinned by safety and built on people, so our ongoing training and nurturing working environment are key factors in our success.  We listen to our customers, understand their requirements and deliver sustainable solutions and this year Quartzelec celebrates 10-years of OEM independence and successful operation along with 100 years of heritage, building its reputation as a cost effective provider of engineering services. 

“Key to this has been strong leadership, a dedicated and knowledgeable 500 plus workforce and a positive ‘can do’ approach that has enabled the business to achieve a £68m turnover with continual global growth. The past 10 years has given us the opportunity to flourish and truly establish ourselves as the competent partner of choice for reliable, responsive and cost effective independent support solutions and we are now consolidating plans to grow the business further over the coming decade and our people will be pivotal in this.”