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Watkins retires after 50 years

UK: Tony Watkins, chief engineer at the FlaktGroup, is to retire after more than 50 years with the company.

His one-company career commenced on September 1, 1970, when he joined Denco, as it was then called, in Hereford. In his early years he worked alongside the joint company founder Allan Miller on some of the very first computer room units and refrigerated compressed air dryers.

During his time he survived multiple changes and restructures, six company names – Denco, Denco Miller, GEA-Denco, DencoHappel – Flaktwoods, FlaktGroup – and 12 managing directors.

The training room at the Hereford head office was named after him on his 50th anniversary and his retirement this week brought donations from colleagues in the UK and throughout the world.

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