TG Lynes’ Operations Manager has celebrated 40 years at the business.

Long-serving Bob Prat has completed four decades of service at the Enfield-based heating, plumbing and air movement materials supplier.

Bob, 56, started out on the warehouse floor at TG Lynes’ former Kings Cross base before rising through the ranks.

Today he oversees a warehouse team of three supervisors and two sub supervisors.

Bob said: “I’m very proud to have been with TG Lynes for 40 years and to have enjoyed a full and rewarding career with the business through a period of great change and expansion.

“I finished school on the Friday and started in the warehouse on the Monday. It was only supposed to be a stopgap as I was intending on going to college to study catering, but I enjoyed it so much I decided to stay where I was.

“My weekly pay packet was £60 and I had £2.25 an hour for overtime. Everything was handwritten on stock cards and you had to have two years of experience before you could pick an order.

“Obviously things have changed dramatically and, with the arrivals of computers, it’s much easier to find the products customers need quickly and efficiently.”

Bob was promoted to work on the busy trade counter before serving as Assistant Warehouse Manager for several years.

He was later promoted to Warehouse Manager, overseeing the re-location to Enfield, before being named Operations Manager in 2008.

Bob is just one of a number of long-serving colleagues at TG Lynes, with 27 per cent of colleagues having been with the business for 10 years or more – and 8 per cent over 30 years.

These include Category Manager Alan Brett (44 years), Hire Supervisor Gerard Rene (43 years), Sales Executive Michael Brett (37 years), Sales Director Joseph Kane (36 years) and Warehouse Operative Barry Lines (33 years).

Bob said he was committed to helping new recruits learn about the rich heritage of the business.

“You rarely get so many long-servers in a business so it’s a real reflection of how the company treats its people and promotes from within,” said Bob.

“I enjoy mentoring the new recruits and explaining the ethos TG Lynes was built on and the reputation it has today.

“We are committed to excellent customer service and I want to make sure that is maintained long after I depart.”

TG Lynes stocks industry leading brands and supplies thousands of products including valves, steel and copper tubes and fittings, press systems, composite and plastic plumbing, drainage solutions and support systems and tooling. An extensive plant hire service is also available.