Willerby celebrates outstanding loyalty of holiday homes industry’s most dedicated workforce

Manufacturer Willerby has celebrated the holiday homes industry’s most loyal workforce by presenting long service awards to more than 200 employees.

A total of 203 Willerby team members were recognised for their dedicated service, ranging from 10 to more than 45 years, during a heart-warming day of celebrations.

Willerby colleagues who received awards have contributed a total of more than 3,800 years to the Hull-based business, which is thought to be the longest-established company in the caravan industry and is this year celebrating its 80 th anniversary.

The huge number of long servers reflects a culture of loyalty and the family feel across the business. In total, three quarters of all employees have been with the business for at least five years and over half for 10 years or more.

Father and son, Glenn Craig and Ben Rollinson, were among those who received long service awards on the day.

Glenn joined the business as a labourer in the metal shop when he was just 15, and is now a Production Manager. He was awarded a 35-year long service award after dedicating well over three decades to the business.

He said: “Willerby was my first job after leaving school. I actually had my heart set on going into the Navy, and was only planning to work at Willerby for a couple months to earn some money, but I met a great set of friends and enjoyed the work so much that I just stopped considering the Navy and now I’ve been here nearly 38 years!

“The people and the friendships made here are what makes Willerby such a great place to work. It’s a really nice culture and everybody respects each other. It’s also great for personal progression – Willerby is really good at investing in its people and helping them grow.”

Ben followed in his father’s footsteps by joining the business at 16 as a plumbing apprentice and has worked his way up over the past 15 years to now being a Chargehand in the plumbing team.

He said: “Willerby has always been a big part of my life and the iconic white ‘W’ seemed like a permanent fixture in our home when I was growing up.

“My Dad always spoke really highly of the company, so when I left school it seemed like a good opportunity to apply for a job here.

“One of the things I enjoy most about my job is helping to train the new starters and lift them up. So many people helped me when I first joined the business, so it’s really rewarding to now be able to give that back and help our newest colleagues develop in the same way that so many people have helped me over the years.”

Gary Neve, a Production Operative in the chassis team, was among those recognised for 10 years of service to the company.

Gary joined Willerby after a career in plumbing, seeking more stability and less travel to better suit his family life.

Having joined the company to spend more time with his family, Gary’s dream has now truly come true, with his wife Mandy, and children Lucy and Charlie, also becoming Willerby employees!

He said: “My wife Mandy could see how happy I was at Willerby so, after struggling to get back into work after the pandemic, she decided to go for a career change and applied for a role here. Since then, both Lucy and Charlie have also got jobs here too.

“Lucy is a cleaner on the production line and Charlie has done an apprenticeship and now works in the roof fitting team.

“It suits us all so well to all work here. The hours work really well around our family life and we’re all proud to work for such a well-known company which is renowned for its high-quality products.

“The thing I enjoy most is knowing I’ve played a part in contributing to someone’s dream. For many people it’s a lifelong dream to own their own holiday home and they save up a long time to make that happen, so I take a huge amount of pride in being part of that and want to deliver the very highest quality for all our customers.”

The latest long service awards recognise all Willerby staff who reached their milestones between 2023 and 2025.

A total of 83 employees were recognised for reaching 10 years’ service; 48 have achieved 15 years; 16 have served 20 years; 24 have been with the business for 25 years; 10 have recorded 30 years; 13 have marked 35 years; four have clocked up 40 years; and one employee passed the 45 years milestone, with Prototype Chargehand Ian Wilson now having been with Willerby for 47 years.

All long-serving workers received certificates, a bottle of Prosecco and a Willerby cupcake for reaching their career milestones, with employees who have achieved 10 or 15 years’ service also receiving a voucher, and those who achieved 20 years or more receiving a loyalty bonus.

Willerby CEO Peter Munk attended the presentations and thanked staff for their exceptional service.

He said: “We’re incredibly proud to have so many long-serving colleagues and feel it’s important to acknowledge their dedication and length of service over the years.

“The celebration of our long servers is extra special this year as we also celebrate our 80th anniversary. Some of our longest-serving employees have worked at Willerby for more than half of its existence, demonstrating their loyalty and commitment to the business.

“We’re committed to investing in our people and supporting them to grow in their careers, so it’s been fantastic to celebrate the contribution these colleagues have made over at least a decade of service, in many cases much more than that.

“It’s also an opportunity to recognise their journeys of progression, growth and development during their many years with the business.”