There’s triple cause for celebration at a Port Talbot company.
Rhino Doors – one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of engineered doors – has marked the long service of three key members of staff, with more than 80 years at the company between them.
The trio, Neil Chappell, Steve Bruton and Steve Pirie, all joined the firm in the early 1990s and have seen big changes in the company’s range of products.
Welding section supervisor Neil, 60 who lives in Port Talbot, said: “It’s almost a family environment at Rhino Doors and I’ve been able to travel to sites in places I would never otherwise have gone to.”
“There have been big changes in the last few years in particular as the size and weight of the doors in the range has increased, and it’s a really good place to work.”
Neil introduced long-serving Steve Bruton to the company when he asked him to help out for a couple of weeks… more than 25 years ago.
Steve, 45, from Port Talbot and a former Welsh pool player, is now one of Rhino’s most experienced supervisors. He said: “The increased size of the doors we’re producing has created some challenges, but the priority is always safety – for the staff and our customers. It’s been a really enjoyable job, with plenty of opportunities to travel.”
Supervisor Steve Pirie, 49 from Neath, joined around the same time, when a relative suggested he might be interested in a temporary role with the company. “It was a three-month role, but I’ve spent nearly 30 years here,” said Steve. “There’s a good bunch of colleagues, and it’s very interesting work. I enjoy training younger people and seeing them develop.”
Stuart Lawrence, Rhino Doors’ Managing Director, added: “We’ve got a very stable team here, with a low turnover of staff, and many people being encouraged to join us by their friends and relatives at the company. Neil and the two Steves have all been here for more than 25 years and have seen many changes, particularly in the last few years as the company has grown and expanded our range. We thought it would be good recognise their long service and commitment.”
Rhino Doors’ products can be found across the world, protecting important infrastructure and assets such as power stations, military installations, water treatment plants, railway stations and more.
image shows left to right, Steve Pirie, Neil Chappell and Steve Bruton.