Aldermans celebrates its first 50 years
2019 heralds a momentous achievement for Aldermans: our first 50 years in business.
In February 1969 precision tool maker Bill Alderman set up as a sole trader, supported by his wife Lyn, renting a small unit at Sutton Harbour in Plymouth. Half a century later, our story is one of investment, expansion into new markets, new service areas, and contracts to supply international brands. To mark the occasion, we unveiled a commemorative timeline in Reception, which charts our key milestones; while our autobiography, published in 2014, tells the story in greater depth.
We are celebrating the anniversary with a whole year of events and activities, as well as giving back to the local community through charitable events.
Our loyal, skilled, hard-working staff have been pivotal to the company’s success; so we began the year with a team day out at Exeter races, which proved luckier for some than others!
With the arrival of warmer summer days, we invited staff and their families, along with customers, suppliers and business associates, to join us for an afternoon of food, family and fun. With fresh-made pizza, a traditional ice cream van, drinks, games and activities, it was also a chance for families to look around the factory and see some of our machines in action. Thanks to everyone’s generosity, the raffle on the day raised £370 for St Luke’s Hospice, Plymouth.
Aldermans has always been rooted in the Plymouth community; so charity fundraising, especially for local causes, has been a key theme of the year. Our “50 Feats For 50 Years” campaign has encouraged all our fifty staff to take part in one charity fundraising event or volunteer some time for a good cause. So far, we have walked, run, cycled and played football; and before the end of the year we will bake, wear pink to work, and grow beards! We aim to raise around £4,000, and our thermometer in reception is celebrating everyone’s achievements. If you would like to support our efforts, please visit our JustGiving page.
Fifty years is a tremendous achievement; and we would like to extend huge thanks to everyone who has been a part of our journey. Here’s to the next fifty!