| 2016-04-11 |    |
Standen Parts Manager Retires after 50 Years Service
Brian Setchell joined Standen Engineering Ltd, or rather FA Standen & Sons as the company was then known, in 1966.
Celebrating 50 years with Standen this month, Brian started as an office junior with the company, but keen to progress and get more ‘hands-on’ experience, he was soon doing additional overtime on the shop floor with the production team.
Owen Blake managing director, 44 years’ service, Brian Setchell, 50 years’ service, Andy Bone chairman, 38 years’ service
In 1966 Standen was well known all over the world for its sugar beet machines; early models included the Standen Rapide, Beetmaster, rotary hoe, a range of potato diggers and specialist tractor mounted hoes. Brian has seen many changes in the company and played an all-important role in its transition from beet to potato machinery specialism during the 1980’s. In 1993, Brian was promoted to the position of parts manager.
Brian Setchell is a familiar face to the many customers that have visited the Ely factory over the years. Often seen cycling the 6 miles across the city to and from his work, Brian has many a time made a special journey to open up the stores when parts are urgently needed out of hours.
As well as the product changes which now sees potato bed formers, rotary tillers, de-stoners, planters toppers and harvesters coming down the company’s production lines, Brian has seen huge changes to stock control and communication brought about by computerisation. Brian continues at Standen in a supporting role for just two days a week; he will enjoy his free time with his hobbies which include gardening.
