AME Systems (Vic) recognised staff for their continuous and current dedicated service at their end of year breakup held on 23rd December.
The inaugural ‘length of service’ awards which included a specially struck pin badge were presented to 116 staff members for five, ten, fifteen and twenty years to recognise their long and loyal service to the business. The introduction of the recognition of service awards was put forward by staff, endorsed by the Board of Directors and the Management Team and is to become an annual presentation on the last day of work for the calendar year.
In outlining the service awards criteria to staff General Manager Dean Pinniger said; “AME Systems (Vic) is proud to have this opportunity to recognise the value of staff, who over many years have played an integral role in the longevity of the business. Additionally many of the newer staff who have been with us for five years will have seen progressive changes over the past couple of years and will be involved in the forthcoming factory realignment as we head into 2012. The awards are a further opportunity to invest in our staff through introducing this initiative and importantly a chance for AME Systems (Vic) and staff to celebrate service milestones.”
Special presentations of gold watches for 20 years plus service were handed out by owner of the business and Managing Director Peter Carthew AM to Darren Bahl, Greg Hinchliffe, Jan Hitchcock, Darryl (Jack) Jeffery and Diane Traynor for their ongoing continuous service through originally CTA, Packard CTA and then AME Systems (Vic). Greg Hinchliffe is AME Systems (Vic)’s longest serving employee, starting out as an apprentice with Peter back in 1978 when they operated the business at the back of the old Prestige buildings in Lowe Street, Ararat.
A highlight of the Service Awards was left to last with a presentation of a specially crafted telescope on behalf of the Board, Management and Staff by Directors John Gault and Ross Hatton to Peter Carthew AM in appreciation of his long term contribution as owner, his outstanding leadership, inspiration and dedication from the establishment of the business, through the successes, the challenges and his vision for the future of a responsible, sustainable business.
In accepting, an emotional Peter said; “When we relocated with a small team of five to Ararat in 1977, little did anyone involved envisage the business would grow into a major manufacturer of electrical wiring harnesses, power and signal distribution systems with some 250 staff as it is today. My philosophy has always been that our people matter most and we have seen with the introduction of the service awards that many of our people have been with me on the long journey which has helped personalise the business and contributed enormously to the servicing of our customers. To survive and prosper in such a competitive industry such as manufacturing, and to remain at the forefront of the industry, I feel proud that together with the support of such dedicated staff we are where we are today. I feel humbled and honoured that you all have seen fit to acknowledge me in such a generous way.”
