Celebrating ‘Dengie-versaries!’
Founded in 1968 as a farmers’ cooperative, Dengie is still run today with the same ethos of supporting the local farming community. Most of Dengie’s employees live locally with many having worked at the company a long time. 17 members of Dengie’s current staff have worked at Dengie for over 25 years, two of whom completed 37 years service in May 2024 – a phenomenal achievement! Dengie’s longest serving employees are Helen Smith, Personal Assistant to the Managing Director, and Alan Tyler, Logistics and Bale Movement Operative, who both started back in 1987.
“I have certainly seen a lot of changes within the Company since starting as a school leaver” says Helen. “Luckily, I have had the privilege of meeting most of the founding farmers who created Dengie in my younger years and it’s wonderful seeing their families still being part of it to this day. The company has grown immeasurably over that time with many new products and members old and new. I can honestly say it definitely doesn’t seem like 37 years ago that I started!”
Left to Right: Ian Hassard (Managing Director), Angela Downs (Company Secretary), Sheena Vella (Site Operations Support), Helen Smith (PA to Managing Director), Michael Pudney (Chairman)
Other members of staff celebrating ‘big’ Dengie anniversaries this year include Trevor Robinson who works in production and has been at Dengie 35 years, David Vince in site hygiene is celebrating 30 years, and Sheena Vella, Site Operations Support, and Julia Sheppard Office Administrator who have both been at Dengie for 25 years.
“My job has been varied over my many years at Dengie ranging from Secretarial to Customer Service to Sales Support and now to the Health & Safety Office” explains Sheena. “I have always felt part of a team and have seen the development of new products, new harvesting techniques, more training both in-house and external to deliver the best quality products that we can with the safest methods. We strive to work more sustainably achieving significant reductions in fossil fuel usage and recycling as much as possible”.
Dengie are devoted to creating the best and healthiest horse feeds possible and it is clear that every member of the team is working to this goal and clearly enjoy doing so!
If you would like to find out more about Dengie feeds for your horse or pony, please contact the Dengie Feedline and speak to one of our team of qualified and experienced nutritionists.
