Celebrating 35 Years at Croft - Martin’s Story

This month marks a remarkable milestone at Croft, 35 years since Martin first walked through our doors. From his very first day on the factory floor to his role today as Factory Foreman, Martin’s journey reflects the craftsmanship, loyalty, and sense of family that defines Croft. 

From New Starter to Foreman 

Martin joined Croft at just 17 years old. His first role involved drilling but it didn’t take long for him to realise he wanted more. 

“Within two weeks, I was bored of drilling!” he admits. “I didn’t want to do the same thing for the rest of my life, so I kept pestering the foreman to take me under his wing.” 

That persistence paid off as the foreman at the time took Martin on as an apprentice, with the idea that he would one day take over. Martin progressed steadily, from leading hand in the bench department, to supervisor, and finally to Factory Foreman. A position he has now held for over 15 years!  

One of the biggest changes Martin has seen over his 35 years is the growth of the business.

“When I started, there were only 15 employees,” he says. “Watching not just the size of the site, but the range of products we offer and the amount of people who work here, the overall growth of the company has been massive.  We’ve gone from strength to strength in what we do”.

As Croft expanded, so did Martin’s responsibilities. Today, as factory foreman he oversees the shop floor team, site maintenance, and is a vital component in the smooth running of the factory. When asked if there’s anything he misses from the old days, Martin doesn’t hesitate.

“I miss some of the old employees they were real characters who loved a prank.”

So, what’s kept Martin at Croft for 35 years?

“I’ve always been happy here,” he says. “I enjoy the responsibility, but I also like being hands-on on the shop floor. I’ve always been good with my hands, and I like having that balance.”

That sense of belonging goes far beyond the job itself. Over the years, Martin has worked alongside his dad, his brother, who has now been at Croft for around 30 years, and his two nephews.

With such a long career with Croft, standout moments are hard to narrow down but a few rise to the top. One highlight was working on a project for one of his idols, a famous Gallagher brother. “We got an order for handles for his house, so I took over the job,” Martin says with a smile.

Among his proudest moments are major projects such as Al Salam Palace in Kuwait, where Croft recreated products entirely from photographs after the original building was destroyed. “Everything was made from scratch, from drawings to the final products. The finished project was amazing.”

For anyone starting at Croft today, Martin keeps his advice simple, “Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Everyone here is friendly and approachable. Be punctual, treat everyone with respect, and you’ll be fine.”

Reflecting on his own thirty-five-year journey Martin shared he’s “not one for words” but that he is “happy, gets job satisfaction” and enjoys “being part of the family.”

When asked to sum up Croft in one word, Martin simply said “Quality.”

He’s bared witness to the standard of work growing over the years by improving processes and parts, remaining confident that “the attention to detail is there.”

Martin’s 35 years at Croft reflect a career built on skill, commitment, and people. We’re incredibly proud to celebrate this milestone and grateful for the leadership and dedication Martin brings to Croft every day.