Atplas Celebrate 50 Year Milestone
2024 has been a milestone year of celebration for everyone at Atplas, marking 50 years since the company's founding in 1974. From humble beginnings, Atplas has grown to become the world’s largest water meter box manufacturer with an unrivalled range of house connection products.
The year started with the distribution of Anniversary fleeces to all staff and preparations for a number of events to mark this milestone, which included events for staff, customers, business partners and suppliers alike.
In June we organised a Family Fun Day for all Atplas staff and their nearest and dearest at a beautiful local country hotel. With fun foods, bouncy castles, an assault course, fun fair stalls, a magician, magic mirror and DJ, there was something for everyone. To top it off we held a raffle for all the attendees with a long list of prizes to be won including an overnight stay and an afternoon tea for two at Hensol castle. It was a glorious day made even better by the sunshine which stayed with us for the whole day!
July saw the opportunity for all our staff to invite their family members to the factory for a guided tour. This was the perfect opportunity for families to see what their loved ones do at work and to learn about Atplas products. All attendees were shown around the factory by our then Operations Director, Graeme Watson (now retired) and were able to view each stage of the manufacturing process. Each attendee left us with a 50th Anniversary goodie bag to remember the event.
The finale of the celebrations was a day and evening event in September hosted at the Vale Resort and Hensol Castle. Customers, suppliers and management from our AVK sister companies were invited to celebrate with us by taking part in either a game of golf or a Gin Distillery Tour during the day. There was also the opportunity to take a factory tour in Bridgend, which is just a stones throw from these two glorious venues.
In the evening, we hosted an unforgettable night of celebration at the elegant Hensol Castle. During the evening reception drinks there was an opportunity to see some of the Atplas, EBCO and Talbot historical product documents as well as decades boards showing the milestones in the company’s development alongside significant events in world history and culture.
Before enjoying a delicious dinner of Welsh lamb, guests had the pleasure of listening to the outstanding male voice choir, Cor Meibion Onllwyn, who provided a heartfelt traditional Welsh welcome.
Our Managing Director James Fry and Chairman Paul Hubbard warmly welcomed all of the guests and reflected on the incredible journey to our significant 50 year milestone, reminding us of the dedication and passion that have fueled our success and thanking our customers, suppliers, management team and dedicated employees for their support over the past five decades.
In addition, we were thrilled to have Rugby legend Sam Warburton attend as our guest speaker who drew on his remarkable rugby career as captain of the Welsh and British & Irish Lions rugby teams, left us all motivated for the future.
We would like to thank everyone who has been involved in these events and hope that everyone has enjoyed everything they have been a part of. Now it’s on with the next 50!!
