Graham, (not Dolly) Parton has hit a whopping 4 5years with CEMEX.

Graham reflects on his 45 years.  “On 10 August 1970 when I was aged 16 I joined Rugby Cement, working in the Laboratory as a Trainee Chemist.  In 1983 I transferred to the Central Laboratory until 1985.  Between 1985 and 1995 I worked in the Laboratory at Southam Works before returning to Rugby. In 1999 when the new plant opened I left the Laboratory to train as a Process Controller running the new kiln in the Central Control Room where I still work.

The main change since I started with the company is Health and Safety.  In 1970 PPE wasn’t compulsory as it is now; people walked around the plant in just overalls – no glasses, high vis jacket, safety shoes or ear protectors.  Also all laboratory analysis was ‘wet chemistry’, now it is mainly XRF analysis and automatic sampling.  We have come a long way since 1970.

You may be interested to know that I met my wife Joan in 1978 when she worked for Rugby Cement in the office at Rugby Works and we have been married for 34 years and have two children. My father Jack also worked with the company from 1958 as a Driver and then later in the Despatch Office until retirement in 1983.  My sister Lin, brother Les and brother-in-law John also worked at Rugby Cement. So cement has been a real family affair for us!”