In today’s world it’s rare to find someone who stays in one job for an extended period of time.
Yet an employee of Rothsay, a division of Darling Ingredients Inc., has committed 50 years of his working life to the facility.
On Sept. 5, 1967, at 19 years of age, Gerald Lane worked his first day as a general labourer at Rothsay. A recommendation from a brother-in-law landed Lane a position with the company.
“When I started working at Rothsay it was a barn,” said Lane, a Harriston resident.
“Everything was built up around the barn to what is here today. Things have improved greatly over the years.”
Fifty years later, on Sept. 14, the company honoured Lane with a barbecue lunch and presented him with gifts of appreciation from the company and some of its suppliers.
Logistics senior supervisor Dennis Coelho thanked Lane for his devotion to the company and described him as a capable team member who over the years has provided leadership and training to other employees.
Coelho presented Lane with a specially-designed 50-year sticker – the first one given out at the Rothsay plant.
“I’d like to thank everyone who came out, especially those people I haven’t seen for a lot of years. Also, to Rothsay for the barbecue and the gifts,” Lane said.
Still enjoys working
At age 69, now a trucking shunter, Lane has considered retirement but has made no definite plans.
“I enjoy working here. If I didn’t, I would have retired already,” said Lane.
The plant in Rothsay opened in 1962 under the name Rothsay Concentrates.
Today the company is the largest rendering operation in Canada, with six processing facilities.
Rothsay collects, processes and recycles animal by-products.
