An ever-present fixture at a Leigh-On-Sea engineering firm has bowed out of his role after 38 years of service.
David Scrivener, who joined Borough as a van driver in 1966, has retired from the company where he worked his way up to the role of works director upon stepping down.
During his decades of service, Mr Scrivener witnessed Borough’s evolution from a traditional metal finishing business to being one of Europe’s biggest injection moulders and chrome platers of plastic.
Borough managing director, David Coombes, who joined his father’s firm just prior to Mr Scrivener joining recalls identifying his “organised and pragmatic” approach to problem solving early on.
“David has always been cool under pressure, which served him well as works manager, a position he occupied throughout the late 60’s and early 70’s,” he said.
“This was a period of significant change for Borough, as we developed the fledgling processes of electroplating and chrome plating on plastic, with the automotive industry in particular keen to exploit the weight saving opportunities it offered.”
Mr Coombes said Mr Scrivener played a crucial part in keeping the machines running and the workforce happy as business boomed due to the car industry adopting more chrome-plated plastic.
“It’s the end of an era, but I hope the promotion of my son Nick into the role, will see the start of a new, even more successful era. Nick has been with us for almost 25 years and has learned from a master, so I expect the transition to be a smooth one,” he added.
“I know David’s wit and wisdom will be missed by colleagues and customers alike, but I’m sure he’ll drop in every now and then to keep an eye on us.”
Mr Scrivener will be replaced by 25-year company veteran Nick Coombes, son of David, in the works director role.
Looking back on his career, Mr Scrivener said: “Everything is needed quicker, cheaper and to a higher quality these days, but having managed the works through periods of immense change and helped the business develop into one of Europe’s leading electroplater’s of plastics is a source of immense personal pride.
“Handing responsibility to Nick, also gives me great satisfaction; family businesses remain the bedrock of UK manufacturing and seeing the third generation of Coombes working its way to the top, ensures I can retire knowing the business I love so much is in safe hands for decades to come.”
