Street Crane engineers retire after 74 years combined service

After 74 years working for Street Crane Company, two senior engineers are retiring. John East leaves having spent his entire 49-year career with the company. He looked after sales in the south of England. Roger Heywood, the representative for the north west of England, has retired with 25 years service.

Starting with the company as an engineering apprentice, East trained as a plater and welder before becoming a fitter in the installation team. A move into internal sales in 1973 preceded his move into outside sales when he moved to Bath in 1989 to look after the south of England. “In my retirement I am looking forward to catching up with interests in caravanning, cycling and fly fishing,” he said.
Heywood started with the company in 1987 after an earlier career in engineering.  He said: “It will be good to have a life not driven by the alarm clock, but I have lots of outside interests to take-up the time, particularly my grandchildren.”
“I wish John and Roger a long and happy retirement, they have both given stalwart service to the company,” said chairman Martin Street. “We are on a growth path and currently have 11 vacancies in various departments, including sales, engineering and electrical design and development, all offering rewarding long term work.”
From their Chapel-en-le-Frith factory, Street Crane Company produces in excess of 400 complete cranes per year, making it the UK’s largest industrial crane producer by a significant margin. These cranes are mainly for the home market. In addition, the company produce around 2,500 hoists, mostly destined for export to over 60 international distributors. Founded by former RAF pilot Peter Street in Sheffield in 1947, the business relocated to Chapel in the 1960s.

Pictures:

Flanked by managing director Andrew Pimblett and chairman Martin Street, are, left to right Roger Heywood and his wife Susan with John East and his wife Christine.

John East with Andrew Pimblett, managing director, left and Martin Street, chairman, right.

Roger Heywood with Andrew Pimblett and Martin Street.