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Mon 21 Apr 2014

Plant man celebrates 50 years not out

This surprise celebration had been months in the planning, but when Ron Isaac arrived for work on the day, he must have got an inkling that something was happening, as he was confronted with a forecourt display consisting of a Bell B40D 40 tonne articulated hauler, Bell L2106E wheeled loading shovel and the restored classic International BTD-6, which incidentally is an exact replica of the machine Ron Isaac first operated for the company during his early days of service. Ron Isaac’s career with Raymond Brown started from very humble beginnings, when in the early 1960’s at the age of 19, he spotted an advert in a local newspaper, in which Raymond Brown was looking to take on trainee plant operators. Ron responded to the advert and was invited for an interview at the offices in Ringwood. Initially Ron didn’t get the job, but about a month later he received a telegram (no emails back then) asking him to return to the offices as Raymond Brown would like to speak to him again. Raymond Brown told Ron that he had been impressed with him, but he was worried that he might train him up and after a while Ron might leave to work with someone more local to his house in Salisbury. Ron being a man of his word said he would not do that and offered to commit his services for a minimum five year period, Raymond Brown considered that unfair on the young Ron Isaac and said let’s agree on a three year period to start with, and so Ron’s long journey with the company started. Above: Ron Isaac (centre) with his wife, son Mark and other members of his family. Ron Isaac was then introduced to the aforementioned International BTD-6 tracked shovel and after a short period of intensive training, went out on site for the first time clearing vegetation and trees on a job at Butser Hill near Petersfield. Ron described this job as being a challenge due in part to the steep inclines encountered as he cleared away the dense bushes. It must have been a bit of a baptism of fire in those early days, something I’m sure many of us plant men can relate too! During the next eleven year’s Ron went on to operate a number of machines, including Raymond Browns first Caterpillar machine, which was a 951 model, followed by spells on a Cat 955 and Ron’s ultimate favourite, the big Cat 977, which he recalls with great fondness. After spending long periods working away from home on the Chudleigh bypass works in Devon, Ron decided it might be time to move on and find work more locally, but on receiving his letter of resignation Raymond Brown visited him on site and posed the question would he stay with the company if they offered him a managerial role. Ron pondered over this and eventually agreed to become a contracts manager. He later went on to spend time in control of the plant hire desk and in 1975 he was appointed to the role of contracts director. In 1982, Ron Isaac succeeded Raymond Brown as the company’s managing director, and eventually took over as chairman when Raymond stepped down from the role in 1995. Ron has continued in this role to this day, with his inspirational style of leadership commended by everyone I spoke to on the day. Above: Ron Isaac with Fiona Brown, the late Raymond Browns wife Pola Brown and Sue Brown. The celebratory day continued with a drive past the offices by a small selection of the company’s vehicles, from a small operators van to a large bulk waste lorry. The event was rounded off with a series of speeches, a toast to Ron, and the presentation of gifts for key members of personnel. This was followed by a buffet lunch and the cutting of the impressive Bell dumptruck themed cake. For me personally it was an honour to meet and talk to this true plant man, who should be an inspiration to all of us in the plant industry, as his story shows just what can be achieved if you put your mind to it. Congratulations Ron Isaac on such a memorable achievement in the construction plant industry.  

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