Whirlpool Corporation’s manufacturing site in Yate, Bristol, UK, has celebrated 100 years of industrial heritage this November. The site has seen an array of manufacturing over the past 100 years, including planes, gun turrets, alarm clocks, kettles and now tumble dryers with Whirlpool Corporation, and are all part of the vast and engaging history of the industrial site on Station Road.
Whirlpool Corporation’s factory in Yate opened its doors for two days’ on the 9th and 10th of November to welcome guests along with friends and families of colleagues to celebrate and enjoy the laudable heritage of the site.
Also in attendance, were specially invited guests; including the Lord Lieutenant of South Gloucestershire, Dame Janet Trotter D.B.E.; Local Mayor, Councillor John Ford; and Deputy Mayor, Councillor Karl Tomasin. Davide Castiglioni, Vice President of Integrated Supply Chain EMEA, Whirlpool Corporation, and Carlos Ramos, General Manager, West Cluster, conducted the opening welcome.
A brief history of the site was delivered by Carlos Ramos, and concluded with a video on its industrial heritage. Carlos Ramos also presented a commemorative plaque to Davide Castiglioni who congratulated everyone by quoting the american author Jackson Brown Jr.: “The best preparation for tomorrow is doing our best today and you made this amazing history a real thing by putting the foundations in place for a bright future.”
A highlight of the couple of open days included an exhibition by the Yate Heritage Centre, commemorating the centenary where many artefacts from the site’s long history were on display for visitors to view. Guests were treated to a variety of activities, including a tour of the working factory, and a local school took part in a competition to design the kitchen appliance of the future.
A focal point of the Yate celebrations was the Jamie Oliver & Hotpoint Mobile Teaching Kitchen. Employees, visitors and guests had the opportunity to test their culinary skills and experience the first class cooking appliances from the Hotpoint brand, creating a celebratory centenary pizza. Prizes were awarded for the very best and most creative result.
“Celebrating the centenary of the Yate manufacturing site and learning about the vast history was very inspiring”, Rafal Kozikowski, Plant Manager Yate, commented: “Having the opportunity to learn about how our factory has impacted on the lives of so many in this community was fascinating to hear. It was also wonderful to see the next generation becoming so involved in designing appliances of the future.”
Alexandra Buchanan, HR Manager of the Yate plant, commented: “We have had a fantastic few days here at our site in Yate. The site is a large part of the local heritage, and the community, and has employed generations of families over the past 100 years. We are so proud of the site’s heritage and one that we have great pleasure in maintaining and celebrating.”
Dame Janet Trotter DBE, Lord Lieutenant of South Gloucestershire, added: “I enjoyed seeing the manufacturing and quality assurance processes, but I valued particularly meeting staff and learning about the culture and values of Whirlpool. I can see that you effectively strive for excellence in all you do.”
