SMC raises a big top to celebrate 40 years in the UK
22 May 2018
BFPA member and factory automation expert SMC celebrated 40 years of trading in the UK recently with a week of events that will live long in the memories of their customers, staff and their families. The UK and global market leaders erected a huge, fairground-style big top next to their UK manufacturing, logistics and administration centre in Milton Keynes recently. The marquee – which took three days to erect – initially provided a unique venue for a two day sales conference for SMC’s 100-strong salesforce.
Following that, the entire workforce gathered for a celebration of 40 years in the UK, led by Managing Director Kevin O’Carroll – culminating in performance by circus entertainers, an Abba tribute band and fireworks display visible across Milton Keynes.
The following day the company welcomed dozens of key customers to join them for more anniversary celebrations, to find out more about SMC’s heritage and an impressive trading performance in 2017-18, and finally to experience tours of the company’s manufacturing facility.
Finally, even the traditional inclement British weather couldn’t dampen spirits as the big top hosted one more event – a family fun day. Many of the company’s 400 staff and their families enjoyed an old-fashioned fairground experience complete with dodgems, a 12 seat simulator ride, traditional fun fair amusements, bungee trampolines, street food and entertainers.
Kevin O’Carroll explained, “We wanted to do something that could be enjoyed by everyone in the company and our customers that would live long in the memory of everyone involved. It would’ve been easy to have the sales conference in a conference venue off-site – but the big top gave us an environment suitable for that as well as for having celebrations for so many people to be a part of. This company is nothing without its staff and customers, so we’re very happy that it was possible to involve so many people in the celebrations for such a momentous anniversary!”