LOYAL TREV SETS EXAMPLE TO ALL
It was 1975 and Steve Harley’s Cockney Rebel were topping the charts with “Make me smile”. It was also the year that a fresh-faced Trevor Keen started out with Allen Concrete.
It’s a job that he’s still doing almost half a century on. He’s been a hit that has stood the test of time!
General Manager Ross Nevison explained: “Trevor joined the Allen Concrete family on 24th February 1975 which happened to be his 19th Birthday.
“As a big music fan, Trevor vividly recalls the number one hit at the time being that Cockney Rebel classic.
“After jumping from position to position and having seven jobs since leaving school at 16, Trevor wasn’t sure what he wanted to do. His Mum saw the Allen Concrete vacancy in the local newspaper and almost forced Trevor to attend the interview.
“He reluctantly went along to the interview at the depot in Shepperton where Allen Concrete were situated before moving to the Mitcham site in 1998.
“A director at the time commented on Trevor’s 7 previous positions in the short time of 3 years and explained that they were really looking for a person who was committed to stay long term.
“Trevor explains that he had very little interest in committing to long term service but in order to appease his mum he would give the position at Allen Concrete a crack.
“Almost 50 years on Trevor is still going strong and is still a fundamental part of the sales force with more experience than most in the sector.
“He has witnessed three changes of ownership with the most recent coming in 2017 when SigmaRoc acquired the business.
“Trevor has also seen many colleagues and customers come and go but, in the concrete fencing sector, Trevor has become a legend over the course of his longstanding service.
“What Trevor Keen has forgotten about the distribution of concrete fencing products probably isn’t worth knowing!” added Ross.
Commercial Manager David Harper was similarly as generous with his praise: “From fencing distributors to builders merchants, everyone knows Trev and he’s held in high regard by everyone who knows him.
“In almost every yard around the UK that I’ve visited over my six years employment with Allen Concrete, someone will always make a positive comment about Trevor Keen and ask how he is and send him their regards,” added David.
Ross concluded: “Thankfully for Allen Concrete, Trevor has no immediate plans of retiring but no doubt one day he put his feet up and enjoy a Bacardi or two in sunny Cyprus.”
As for the man himself? Trevor commented: “There are so many memories of people and customers past and present. Many of whom I have never met in the flesh but feel like I know them almost as well as my own family. Coming back to Allen Concrete after a short break from the business was largely down to missing togetherness of working both as an individual and also as a unit.
“It was and still is a special position to be a member of the Allen Concrete family. We work hard and play hard and whilst we look after each other we all have that dedication to, in the words of Simon and Garfunkel, “keeping the customer satisfied”. That’s what we do best.”
Trevor Keen – a true concrete fencing legend, fantastic salesman and a great all round guy who’s been making people smile for 49 years!
