A COMPANY started by Bob and Val Butcher at their home just outside Devizes in 1973 has celebrated 45 years of success with a celebration at its Wiltshire factory.

Plastics firm Bluemay, which is now based at business park at Seend, near Devizes, has come a long way from its early beginnings in 1973 but directors say its ethos of putting its employees at the heart of everything they do has not changed.

General manager Liz Nash said: "People are Bluemay’s most important asset, with the many having achieved twenty years and some more than thirty years of service which contributes to the strong team spirit within the Company.

"Bluemay has a policy of recruiting locally and developing the potential of individuals and promoting from within wherever possible, with the three current managers all joining the company from school."

The firm specialises in the production of nylon threaded rod and precision plastic engineering components for manufacturing industries.

Mr and Mrs Butcher were presented with a 45th anniversary cake last week, which was shared by the workforce, and a framed commemorative graphic.

After setting up their company at home they moved 18 months later to new premises in Devizes and gained a number of patents and trade marks for their products.

In 1985 they moved to Lower Wharf, Devizes and two years later Mr Butcher received an MBE for his services to industry and a few years later his wife was also honoured. The firm continued to grow with the acquisition of Weston Manufacturing and became Bluemay Weston Ltd.

In 1996 Bluemay started the development of its present base in Seend with warehouse construction. The company now exports across the world.