Nigel Roberts retired on September 30, after 45 years with Baker Perkins. As he departed, he shared how close he became with his colleagues and partners throughout this journey, saying that “the long-term friendships that will remain with me even when I finish here.”

He started as a trainee in 1977, at the age of 16, following his uncle who worked in the maintenance department and my mother who was in the reprographics team. “The company allowed me to go to day college and night school to attain additional O levels and then on to the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) four-year training course at Peterborough Technical College, he recalls.

During the 90s, he advanced to a divisional buying role working in the CCS division (Chocolate, Confectionery, Snack). This is when the Industrial Extrusion Division, formerly based in Newcastle-under-Lyme, transferred its manufacturing base to Paston, a transfer he oversaw. Since 1990, he has been part of the project teams implementing two new business systems, PS and Epicor, into the company and as recently as 2021 an upgrade to Epicor.

“Over 45 years, I’ve purchased everything from castings, raw materials, mechanical and electro-mechanical parts, electrical components, outside processes, high value merchanted equipment, company cars, IT equipment, telecoms, and energy to name but a few,” Roberts commented.

Al Stafford, Manufacturing Manager, said on the occasion: “After 45 years’ service to Baker Perkins, I would like to congratulate Nigel on his retirement and thank him personally and on behalf of the company for all his hard work and commitment over these years. It’s time for Nigel to relax and enjoy himself on a well-deserved seven-day weekend. Everyone at Baker Perkins wishes Nigel and his family health and happiness for the future.”

Photo: Baker Perkins