Fusion Celebrates 50 Years
Fusion celebrated 50 years of business in 2021. Unfortunately, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, we were unable to celebrate our 50th year and had to postpone the celebrations until this year. 19-05-2022
This gave us the opportunity to bring together our colleagues, past and present, customers, clients and partners for a showcase exhibition and gala dinner event and we were delighted that colleagues and visitors travelled from all over the globe to be with us.
Exhibition
On Thursday 28th April 2022 we held an exhibition for our customers and clients at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Sheffield Park. The showcase event held on Thursday was split into 3 main features; an interactive walkthrough exhibition, a live demonstration of our mobile app Fusion Assist and a tour of our manufacturing and testing facilities in Chesterfield.
The interactive exhibition took customers through the Fusion journey, starting in 1971 and ending in the present day. On display was some of the old equipment and products that were made and used early in our history in the 1970’s and 80’s. Specially made rigs of pipe and products ushered visitors around the room moving from old to new.
The exhibition then moved from manufacturing excellence into how our products are prepared and installed on piping systems. There were examples of Electrofusion and Butt Fusion good practice as well as a rig showcasing how our products can provide the perfect solution within water and gas pipeline systems.
Our AVK colleagues were on hand with products from their offer including the Pentobox and valves used for gas and water. This area showcased the great synergy between the businesses and how we have been working together in new product development. The customers were then able to ask any questions they had to our experts who were on hand to support.
Fusion Assist Demonstration and Site Tour
In a separate room from the exhibition, Stephen Tann (Group Technical Manager) delivered an interactive Fusion Assist demonstration, showing how the app is used and how it can help our customers with the traceability of their assets.
As well as traceability customers could download the app on their own phones and see some of our products in Augmented Reality (AR). The demonstration got some excellent feedback and we hope the app will help resolve some of the issues our customers may be facing.
The final element of the day was a tour of our world-class manufacturing and testing facilities. The tour involved a walk around Fusamatic with talks from General Manager Paul Brecker and Operations Manager Neil Allman. The tour showcased some of the robots and automation that are used to manufacture our products on site.
Customers were able to experience the whole manufacturing process flow from raw materials, component preparation, socket and tapping tee manufacture, through to final inspection, packaging and despatch. Customers took the opportunity to ask questions as they walked around the ‘shop floor’.
The customers then had the opportunity to visit our world-class testing facilities and were hosted by Group Director Lisa Shelton and Test Laboratory Manager Shawn Shelton. They explained the Test Laboratory capability and how our products go through various stages of testing to meet a number of industry product standards and test methods around the world. They then demonstrated material tests, decohesion tests, and examples of good and bad electrofusion welding.
Gala Dinner
The Gala Dinner on Friday evening was held at the remarkable Devonshire Dome in Buxton. The venue was perfect to host our 50th year Gala Dinner.
As guests arrived, they were greeted to a red-carpet reception with fizz, canapés and stilt walkers. TV’s all around the venue showed images of Fusion employees and customers, past and present. It was brilliant to see the smiles, laughter and hugs from people seeing old colleagues and friends.
There were a number of speeches during the dinner including Group Managing Director Mark Palmer, Her Worship The Mayor of Chesterfield Councillor Glenys Falconer, Group Director Lisa Shelton, Chairman Paul Hubbard and Petra Bridgstock, wife of the late Eric Bridgstock, founder of Fusion.
Entertainment during the evening was provided by a Magician and a local 9-piece band. The magician dazzled guests at their tables with various magic tricks that included fire and disappearing drinks. Local band ‘The Feel Good Fridays’ were on hand to bring a real party atmosphere to the event. As the band played and the dancers took to the floor, it was also the perfect opportunity for others to catch up with friends, colleagues and customers. Some of our visitors from overseas presented wonderful gifts and statues to mark the occasion.
Silent Auction
During the evening we held a silent auction to raise funds for a number of charities. The charities were chosen by Fusion Group employees with many citing close personal reasons for having connections with the charities.
In total, we raised a truly incredible...
£5417.17
More details of the silent auction will be released soon.
A truly fantastic evening was had by all. The evening showcased exactly what Fusion is, and has been about for its 50 year life, truly great people and spirit.
It was a fitting celebration to mark 50 years of Fusion from all those who have worked so hard over the years to make the business successful.
Again, another thank you to each and every person who helped create such a truly memorable night.
If you would like any of the photographs featured above or in the Fusion News magazine, please contact the marketing team - marketing@fusiongroup.com
