Double ‘Silver’ Celebration at Elta

Two employees from the Fareham offices in Hampshire recently celebrated 25 years service with UK manufacturers, Elta. Chris Lack and Neil Jolliffe were both presented with commemorative gifts to mark the special occasions and to demonstrate the company’s gratitude for their loyalty, hard work and long service.

Chris, a well known, high-profile figure within the industry, first met Roger Crook, the founding director of Elta, when they were working together at The Airscrew Co. Ltd. Originally a British manufacturing company based in Surrey manufacturing propellers, the company diversified after World War II and was bought by the Howden Group in 1971. Elta was established in 1974, producing circulating fans for high temperature applications and Chris, recognised throughout the industry as an expert on fans, joined his former colleagues as Technical Manager in 1985. His initial role was to help take the developing company towards the certification and presentation of the performance of the first Elta Axial Impeller range, along with the associated 150mm and 250mm hubs. Chris was appointed Technical Director of Elta in 1996, and will be available to his former colleagues if required.

Chris recently celebrated his 70th birthday and finally decided to call time on his working career. He had originally retired five years earlier at 65 but was persuaded to carry on working three days a week until this latest landmark birthday. Being a keen golfer, often participating in competitions for his local club, no doubt Chris will be spending a large part of his retirement on the golf course with his wife Rita, who is an equally enthusiastic participant. He was presented with a suitably fitting gift of a golfing weekend for two at the world renowned Belfry Hotel and Golf Course to mark his twenty-five year contribution to the success of the company.

Neil Jolliffe joined Elta at 17 in the Fabrication section when the company was still based in Byfleet. After time in the Impeller and Assembly sections, Neil moved into the Purchasing office and eventually secured an internal Sales role. The company recognised Neil’s ambition and loyalty, along with his communication and ‘people’ skills, and rewarded him with an external Sales role through which he has introduced many new customers to the company. When the company re-located to Fareham in 1991, Neil continued living in London where he resides with girlfriend, Natalie, and he still commutes to the South Coast.

Neil is known for his commitment and his ability to build strong relationships with clients and co-workers alike. He is always on the go and likes nothing better than travelling to the far-flung corners of the globe with a rucksack and a list of things to do and places to see. Neil received a plaque to commemorate his service to the company and unsurprisingly, the gift of vouchers for even more travel. Neil’s ‘wanderlust’ also takes him to some not quite so exotic locations as he follows his beloved Chelsea FC around the country (he is quick to point out that he has supported them since a teenager rather than taking them up when their current spell of trophy gathering began!).

Elta is part of the £85 million Elta Group, a family of businesses with operations in six countries on four continents which, together with a network of international distributors, provides quality fans and related air movement equipment to customers worldwide.