What a brick! Steve retires after 36 years at York Handmade

Steve Pittham, the longest-serving employee at the award-winning York Handmade Brick Company, has retired.

Steve joined York Handmade, based at Alne, near Easingwold, when it was formed in in 1988. As Works Manager, he was responsible for running the company’s factory.

66-year-old Steve, who lives in Easingwold, originally worked at York Handmade’s site in the 1970s when it was when it was a pipe manufacturing works, owned by Shepherd Construction. He left to become a bricklayer, but returned when York Handmade took over the site.

The company is now the leading small independent brickmaker in the UK.

David Armitage, chairman of York Handmade paid this tribute: “Steve has made a fantastic contribution to York Handmade in the 36 years he has been with us. Nothing was ever too much trouble for him and he has been tremendous to work with, playing a key part in our growth over the years. I wish Steve the happiest of retirements. We will all miss him very much.”

Meanwhile managing director Guy Armitage added: “It has been a huge honour to work with Steve for the past 18 years. I was 12 when the company was bought in 1988. He has always been very supportive of my involvement in the business for which I am hugely grateful.

“He has overseen the just about every development in the factory in that time and much of the success of the company has been due to Steve having the ability to transform ideas into reality. Every challenge is met by an enormous amount of enthusiasm, no mountain is ever too high.”

Steve explained: “The production process at our factory, and consequently my role, has changed dramatically over the years. The installation two brand-new kiln in 2000 and 2002 simplified things, with the increase in machinery meaning there was less hard physical work to do.

“Then, three years ago, we invested in a £1.5 million overhaul and renewal of our manufacturing process, which has speeded up production, facilitated two brand-new products and increased efficiency.

“This was a transformational move, by far the biggest and most significant in the company’s history. Our revolutionary new manufacturing line has enabled us to manufacture high-quality, UK-made bricks for major developments like The Circle in Manchester and the 25 Baker Street in London’s West End and it reflects our commitment to the brick industry.

“Looking back over my time at York Handmade, there are a number of projects of which I am especially proud. It was amazing when we won the Supreme Prize at the prestigious Brick Awards in 1998 for our work on St Brigit’s Church in Belfast and I was heavily involved in creating the magnificent bricks and special arches in the stunning cellar at the Forbidden Corner near Middleham, which also won a major honour at the Brick Awards.

“I am also very proud of our main drying chamber I designed and built along with our fitting staff. We were looking at a dedicated drying system that was going to cost upwards of £300,000, but I suggested we build it ourselves, so we did, saving about £200,000.

“Overall, I loved my job so much and I looked forward to coming to work every day, which is pretty rare these days. Clay is, and aways has been, in my blood. Retirement is going to be a challenge, but I’m going to make sure I enjoy it.”

Steve says he will spend more time watching his favourite sports, racing, cricket and rugby union, playing golf, metal detecting, listening to all kinds of popular music and being with his wife Sue, son Lewis and daughter Claire.

“My immediate task will be to do up Lewis’s house in York while he is away. That will keep me busy. But I’m hoping to go racing more, now I have the time, and I am looking forward to seeing York Handmade’s contribution to the multi-million-pound development at the southern end of the racecourse, which comprised a significant upgrade to the 1913 Bustardthorpe Stand and the brand-new Roberto Pavilion.”

He added: “My working life at York Handmade has been an absolute joy, immensely fulfilling, and I was lucky to have such a fantastic boss like David Armitage. I will watch the company’s progress over the coming years with real interest and I am confident it will go from strength to strength.”

Steve is succeeded as Works Manager by Mark Todd.