Maltings Operator Jimmy Thompson has been thanked for his stellar long service to Simpsons Malt following his retirement from the company after 44 years, eight months and one day.
Jimmy started at the Home of Good Malt on April 17, 1975, working in the old Saladin boxes. Over the next four-and-a-half decades, he enjoyed many different roles that are involved in the malt production process, including malt screening and operating the germination-kilning vessels (GKVs).
Most recently, he worked shifts at the Glen Ord peating plant, helping to produce peated malt that is loaded onto wagons and containers for the company’s distilling customers across the UK and the rest of the world.
Jimmy’s departure makes him the fourth long-serving member of staff to retire in 2019. Back in May, Operations Manager Ivan Goodwin and Compliance Manager Kathleen Park retired after 43 and 35 years respectively, while Maltings Operator Neil Goodwin retired in October after 45 years with the company.
Jimmy being presented with his malt shovel from Chairman Simon Simpson OBE to mark his 40 years’ service with the company back in 2015.
Reflecting on his time with the company, he said: “It’s been such a brilliant firm to work for and I’ve made a lot of friends over the years.
“Although the business has grown massively in the 44 years I’ve been here, it still has that family feel to it. Everybody helps one another and I’ve always been very well looked after, so it’s no wonder people choose to stay here for as long as they do.”
With most people taking the opportunity to relax once they retire, Jimmy plans to keep busy with a spot of painting and decorating, with a couple of jobs lined up in familiar surroundings.
“I always enjoyed a bit of painting and decorating on my four days off shifts so I’ll be doing a bit more of that. I’ve even been asked to do the bait cabin and laboratory here, so I’ll still be a familiar face!”
Speaking about Jimmy’s retirement, Vice Chairman Richard Simpson said: “I’d like to thank Jimmy for his 44 years of fantastic service here at the Home of Good Malt and I’m sure I speak on behalf of all the staff here in wishing him a very happy retirement.”