An engineering supervisor with malted ingredients supplier Edme has retired after 42 years with the company. 

Colin Hewitt, who joined the firm in 1974, when he was responsible for overseeing everything from machinery and floorboards to feeding the company cats, stepped down this week.

Jason Powell, Edme director, described Hewitt as a “true gentleman; trustworthy, loyal, honest and hardworking” and described his role as “vital”.

Powell said: “It’s the engineers who keep the plant running, making sure that it’s in the best condition to deliver perfect flour flakes and kibbles to bakers and food manufacturers across the country and globally.

“Colin has contributed to the production of around 750,000 tonnes of wholegrain ingredients - which in turn have gone into millions of loaves of bread.”