SMP champions nurturing talent from within and celebrates long service

SMP Europe is celebrating a significant milestone in the company, as its longest serving employee, Paul Etches, has reached 51 years of service, reflecting the company’s commitment to supporting its staff and promoting from within to retain top talent.

To recognise Paul’s achievement, SMP Europe has named its conference room in his honour, which was celebrated and unveiled on his 50th anniversary last year.

Paul’s journey at SMP Europe began straight from school when he joined as a coil assembler. Over the years, he embraced a variety of roles, moving through warehouse operations, goods-in, bulk stores and returns. His dedication, adaptability and hands-on learning approach have made him an invaluable member of the team.

He comments: “People ask me why I have stayed for so long and really it’s down to the company, the team and the environment – plus every day is something different, which I love!”

As one of the most experienced - and therefore knowledgeable - people in the company, Paul explains how he built up his skills and learnt on the job. He said: “When I moved into bulk stores, my manager at the time gave me a catalogue and said go home, learn everything in there and I’ll test you tomorrow! And that’s exactly what I did. I had to memorise every part and how everything fit together.

“And by picking parts in the warehouse every day for years I learnt even more – some parts I could pick with my eyes shut!”

Martin Turner, Marketing Director at SMP Europe added: “Paul is a walking dictionary of everything SMP Europe! It’s important for us to build a great working environment where everyone feels supported and happy. That makes for a highly motivated team who all want the company to succeed.

“Paul thoroughly deserves the recognition for his 50 years of service, it is an achievement most people will not reach in their careers at one company - and renaming the Conference Room after him will ensure he will be part of our company long after he leaves!”

Paul’s story is just one example of SMP Europe’s commitment to nurturing talent. Engineering Manager, Nick Tideswell, who has been with the company for eight years, worked his way up in the engineering team and now heads up the department helping to develop the brand’s leading product range.

Similarly, Adrian Overton started as a Quality Assistant and transitioned into the engineering team after SMP Europe sponsored him through an apprenticeship at a local college.

With a culture of developing talent from within, SMP Europe remains committed to investing in its people and ensuring the next generation of employees follows in the footsteps of long-serving team members like Paul.