Ian Swales celebrates long-held tenure having joined the Manchester branch in the mid-eighties
Warehouse controller at GSF Trafford is celebrating 35 years at the branch.
The milestone came in the same month his branch became the first one to make the transition from Merchant to Autopart.
Ian said: “The industry and what we work with are always changing over the years and that’s what keeps it fresh.
“I guess I got into a groove when I started and I’ve just stuck with it.
“I’ve always enjoyed the attention to detail in stock work and keeping parts flowing through the business.”
When Ian joined the branch, the business majored in Volkswagon parts, a specialism that fed one of Ian’s favourite hobbies.
He said: “I’m interested in cars and that’s been another reason I’ve enjoyed it.
“I’ve gone through a fair few VW Beetles and Golfs over the years, so it’s been good to work on them at home.
“But what really stands out for me is the way the team works.
“In this industry there’s a danger that the warehouse could be like a factory environment where it’s very anonymous, but it’s not like that at all here and we’re a real team who know each other well.”
