Ray joined the company in 1970 aged 15 and has been a stalwart in the machine shop, having worked in all of the company’s engineering divisions.

A keen cyclist, Ray has cycled to work every day, meaning he has made in excess of 8000 trips which is the equivalent of cycling nearly three times around the world.

Ray and wife, Karen, have been married for 30 years and have four children and three grandchildren. 

At the ceremony, the company and work colleagues presented him with carp fishing equipment and a bottle of champagne.

Dennis Mowers’ managing director Ian Howard said:  "Employees like Ray are invaluable to a company like ours."