At West Special Fasteners, we’ve always said our people mean everything to us. They’re the heartbeat of our business, the reason we can deliver excellence day after day. But here’s the confession: for years, we were so busy making world-class fasteners that we missed a few milestones along the way. Ten-year anniversaries came and went, and somehow, the celebrations didn’t happen.
So what did we do? We fixed it, retroactively!
Yes, you read that right. We decided that loyalty deserves recognition, even if we’re a little late to the party. So last year, we rolled out the red carpet and handed out 14 ten-year awards and 2 twenty-year awards. That’s 16 incredible people who’ve stuck with us through thick and thin. And honestly, that’s amazing.
Why Loyalty Matters More Than Ever
In a world where job-hopping is the norm, staying with one company for a decade, or two, is something special. It speaks to trust, shared values, and a sense of belonging. For us, loyalty isn’t just about time served; it’s about the relationships built, the knowledge shared, and the countless ways our team members have shaped who we are today.
Recognising that commitment isn’t just a nice gesture, it’s essential. It tells our people, “We see you. We appreciate you. And we couldn’t do this without you.” Because the truth is, we really couldn’t.
Better Late Than Never!
Now, about those missed awards….. We could have shrugged and said, “Oh well, too late now.” But that’s not how we do things. Instead, we embraced the irony and celebrated anyway.
One of our recipients will hit 20 years next year, but we still wanted to mark that first big milestone of 10 years. Why? Because every chapter matters. And if we can make someone smile with a shiny award and a heartfelt thank you (even a decade late) we’ll do it.
The Numbers Tell the Story
Fourteen ten-year awards. Two twenty-year awards. Sixteen incredible journeys. That’s not just a statistic; it’s a testament to the culture we’ve built together. These aren’t just employees, they’re innovators, problem-solvers, and friends who’ve helped us grow from strength to strength.
Looking Ahead: More Milestones to Come
This isn’t a one-off. We’re committed to making long service recognition a regular part of life at West Special Fasteners. Because loyalty deserves more than a handshake, it deserves celebration.
We hope to give out many more awards in the future, and not just because it’s good for morale (though it absolutely is). It’s because these moments remind us why we do what we do: to create a workplace where people want to stay, thrive, and feel valued.
Final Thoughts
Implementing long service awards wasn’t just about ticking a box, it was about living our values. Our people really do mean everything to us, and their loyalty is something we’ll never take for granted again. So here’s to the next decade, and the next celebration. And if we’re ever late again? Well, you know we’ll make it up in style!
A huge congratulations to everyone celebrating a long service award!
Here are just a few of our amazing colleagues receiving their awards:
West Special Fasteners: Specialised Fastening Solutions
