47½ years ago I was asked to leave school part-way through the sixth form. I still think it reflected worse on the school than me.
Decided to get a job and as I was doing sciences a lab seemed appropriate. Offered job after first interview – Ricon, a company making adhesives and tapes in Romford. £27.50 a week. It was badly run and technical people not appreciated but I stayed 12 years. Looked around, was offered several jobs, very nearly took one as Technical Manager of a company in Andover. MD of Ricon told me they’d soon find out I wasn’t up to it. Judgment reflected more on him than me I think.
Set up Adhesive Technical Services, firstly on my own, offering independent lab testing & consultancy for adhesives, tape & labels. Started in one Portacabin, then two, then three. Gradually expanded, taking on staff. Became agents for ChemInstruments, US company making lab equipment for testing adhesives and later Ichemco, Italian company making adhesives and related materials. Big jump forward in 1996 was into bigger premises and manufacturing water-based adhesives for tapes & labels. Built up to 12 staff, £3.5 million turnover and making 1,200 tonnes a year of glue, going from one to three business units, still in the same yard in Purfleet.
2018, sold the manufacturing business to Pafra in Basildon, ensuring that all staff either moved there or stayed with me. Some still there, some wasted the opportunity. Carried on, initially with 5 staff, recently dropping to 2, as agents for ChemInstruments & Ichemco. Gave notice to them both to cease agencies 31st December 2025. Still some work to do to wind down the company and I’ll continue to do a small amount of consultancy but more or less retired. I don’t think I’ll find it hard to fill my time. There are more books in the pipeline!
As you would probably imagine, I often didn’t run the company in the most conventional way. Enjoyment, fairness & sustainability were more important than maximising profit. We probably could have made more money but we could have taken risks and not survived. It was more important to ensure everyone would still have jobs, receive a fair salary and as much freedom as possible.
There are many people I should thank over the 47 years but those who stayed a long time and became friends were the most important. Melanie, Amy, Simon, Esther and Brenda, our longest serving employee who has stayed to the end. Others whose contribution should be noted include Richard, Jennie, Dave (sadly no longer with us), Steve (who had a big impact on growing the business) & Darrell, a really nice chap who we sadly had to let go. Indeed (almost) everyone who worked for us. Also people whose support was crucial at various stages – Keith who shared the yard, Bob from the West Country and our landlords Roger & Trevor. Heather & Julian from Central Computers. Finally Steve and Andy from Pafra.
I shall miss people in the industry who I’ve worked with for many years. Francesca & Davide from Ichemco, Keith from ChemInstruments, from whom we sadly miss Matt. Many have now retired but I will try to keep in touch with a few. Delighted to have renewed contact with Neil from Ricon this week and to reminisce about 40 years ago.
In life one makes just a few really major choices. Two of mine were to start a business and then to sell it. Both proved to be very good decisions, as I think has a gradual retirement over the last few years, allowing more time for walking and writing books. I’ve heard all the jokes but when I started in Romford as a 17-year-old had no idea that I’d be sticking to glue for 47 years! There’s enough material for a book. Many amusing incidents over the years. – Fifty Years in Glue – but I suspect the market would be limited.
And my advice to anyone who thinks about starting their own business. Plan carefully, don’t be over-ambitious, take opportunities, remember people are more important than money, you have to enjoy it but go for it!
Recent Comments