Haith, the UK’s leading manufacturer of vegetable handling machinery, has announced the retirement of Mick Haith after 47 years with the company.
Mick’s interest in engineering began when he was seven, helping his father and company founder, George Haith, assemble machines. As a teenager, during summer holidays, Mick worked alongside his brother Chris on factory refurbishments for companies such as Knights of Norfolk and H C Tinsley, earning 25p an hour for his efforts.
Mick officially joined Haith in 1976, aged 16, painting eight-tonne bulkers at the company’s Castle Green site in Tickhill. Mick then moved to Haith’s Sunderland Street site, installing bulker belts and as servicing combine harvesters and pea viners alongside his father.
In 1977, he moved to Haith’s current Armthorpe site, travelling to work on a motorcycle with his tools packed in a rucksack. Mick’s passion for motorbikes led him to enter sidecar racing with his brother David.
In 1985, Mick took on the challenge of running another Haith business, Ramsey Rent, a company he ran for two years, before returning to Tickhill Engineering Co Ltd, working in the stores covering for his brother Nigel, who had been injured in a go-kart accident. As well as overseeing the stores, Chris Mick, who passed his Class 1 license with only two days of practice, also spent time as a delivery driver for the company when needed.
Mick continued in the stores department for the remainder of his career, culminating in his promotion to procurement director.
“Mick has been an integral part of Haith for nearly five decades,” said Duane Hill, managing director.
“Mick’s passion for engineering and knowledge of Haith equipment are well known. It’s incredible to think that Mick has worked for his family’s business for nearly 50 years. He has made a massive contribution to the company in those five decades. We will all miss him but wish him a long and happy retirement.”
On his final day, Mick was presented with a gift voucher for his favourite hotel and enjoyed a Christmas brunch with family, friends and colleagues.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the company,” said Mick. “It has been fantastic to be a part of such a successful business, and I’m incredibly proud of many things we have achieved, particularly building our current factory in Armthorpe.
“While I will be enjoying my newfound leisure time and I’m looking forward to having time to rebuild my classic motorbikes, I will be keeping an eye on the company as Duane has a lot of exciting plans for the Haith brand. Since my father started the company, the Haith name has become recognised around the world for exceptional quality, reliability and innovation, and I am certain this will continue under the current leadership team.”
Source: Haith
Cover image: Mick Haith
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