Dermot’s introduction to the world of work was no less than a baptism of fire. Having secured a mechanical engineering apprenticeship with a local firm at the age of 16, he had to cross a picket line on his first day at work during the, so-called, ‘winter of discontent’ in the late 70s. Despite the difficult start, little did he know that he was to make a life-long friend and colleague in Nigel Stanton in those early years.
Unfortunately the UK economy was still in disarray when Dermot’s apprenticeship ended. He found that his employer had no vacancies for a newly qualified engineer.
In contrast, by 1983 Piroto had weathered the recession and was beginning to grow their team. Dermot saw an advert for a press operator, and thinking the job referred to a metal press, thought his engineering skills would stand him in good stead. During his interview with MD, Alastair Inglis Dermot found out that the job was actually for a printing press operator! Despite the misunderstanding the pair hit it off and Dermot found himself with a new job as trainee printer at Piroto.
Dermot recalls ‘The printing presses looked like they were made from a Meccano set ! They were unique to Piroto in the UK and all came from our parent company, Pilot in France’.
Dermot thrived at Piroto and was soon promoted to senior printer, then production supervisor and by the early 90s he became production manager. By now the company had acquired more up-to-date printing presses and were gaining a reputation for new-style loop and lock carcase tags as well as adhesive labels.
As Piroto’s label sales went from strength to strength so they started to outgrow their production space. Dermot remembers ‘ The production space wasn’t ideal to say the least. We had four separate units with the two production units on different levels, so we had to knock a hole in the wall and install a tail lift from a lorry with a cage around it to help move materials and finished product between the areas. A far cry from our pristine production and warehouse area today.’ Dermot played a key role in the move to Piroto’s new Northampton home in 1999, taking responsibility for moving the machinery to the new premises as well as the production and warehouse layout.
In the early part of the new millennium Dermot took on the new role of technical manager. Because of his experience and knowledge of the Piroto operation he also covered various operational roles in the company when the need arose. Dermot is also proud to say that he was involved in the purchase of all the major pieces of equipment that Piroto operates today.
Thinking back over almost 40 years at Piroto (his anniversary is in August 2023) Dermot has seen some major changes; he has acquired an enormous amount of knowledge too. Why has he stayed so long? Dermot says he has enjoyed the variety and, as well as having covered many roles, still no two days are the same. He is gratified to be part of Piroto’s story for so many years, and said ‘ I’ve been given a lot of trust by Alastair, and then Leigh, over the years, and have relished playing my part in Piroto’s success.’
You can read Piroto’s full 50 year story here.