Sept/Oct 80 No. 14!

THE HOUSE MAGAZINE OF RANK XEROX MITCHELDEAN

THE QUEEN'S A 0 INDUSTRY 1

.•ID

'Congratulations to you all!'

On Monday, September 8, the Lord congratulations for their outstanding it is here that machines and spares Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, iVIajor- work and achievement for this manufactured at Mitcheldean, Venray General Sir George Burns, presented country.' and Welwyn and destined for East Rank Xerox Limited with its fifth European markets are consolidated Queen's Award to Industry (earlier All five of our awards have been for with supplies before being shipped awards having been made in 1966, Export Achievement, so it was fitting eastwards. 1971, 1972 and 1975). that the presentation should take In handing it to our Chairman, Mr place in the International Supply A group of long-serving employees, Hamish Orr-Ewing, he said: 'Her Centre at Welwyn from which so many chosen to represent a cross-section Majesty wishes me to convey to you Rank Xerox products are despatched of Mitcheldean's work-force, attended and the people who work for Rank to our export markets round three- the presentation ceremony, and we Xerox her warmest and sincerest quarters of the world. tell you all about it on page 2. A Family Occasion The presentation to our Company of its fifth Queen's Award to Industry took place on September 8 amid a forest of packages and cartons of goods awaiting consignment to all corners of the Rank Xerox world.

A space had been cleared for seating and on either side was ranged a display of our machines, — the oak leaf symbol used so effectively for Mitcheldean's 21st Anniversary celebrations adding to the 'forest' theme. At the far end was a platform flanked The Lord Lieutenant and our Chairman chat with the Mitcheldean group. Far left is Al by two loaded forklifts which stood Hagen, Director of UK Manufacturing Operations and Technical Staff, who gave Sir George a pen inscribed 'Mitcheldean Delivers!' rigidly to attention as our Chairman, Mr Hamish Orr-Ewing, and Major- its headquarters at Welwyn, he said : which rely on extensive international General Sir George Burns, the Lord 'By its very nature their work has to trade.' Lieutenant, arrived after touring remain secret, but I can tell you that the Welwyn Plant. He then introduced the Lord they are responsible for developing Lieutenant who has had a long and Welcoming everyone, Mr Orr-Ewing one new copier which will be made distinquished military career and said he wished that ail the 1 2,000 UK not only by Rank Xerox, but also has been Her Majesty's representative staff could have been gathered to by our American parent company in Hertfordshire for nearly 20 years. take part in the ceremony. Instead, Xerox for its markets. some 200 men and women from Before the presentation. Sir George 'The work of our development teams various sites — engineering, had been shown some of the here, and of their counterparts, is manufacturing, supply, sales, service electronic manufacturing operations vital to the future prosperity of our and administration — had been carried out at Welwyn which now business and of the people who brought together for this 'family has one of the most advanced work in it.' occasion'— among them a group assembly and test facilities of its representing Mitcheldean's workforce. kind in Europe, and he said he had found it 'profoundly interesting.' Joining them were representatives of Government and local government, Reminding everyone of the purpose together with some of our British of the Queen's Award, he said customers — a reminder that export history showed that this country begins at home, 'for without a owed its prosperity and influence healthy business in the UK, we in the world to its trading. could never have developed our 'We have depended on our brains factories here into major export to think out what was required, to earners for this country', said our manufacture it in good quality and Chairman. to deliver it to the right place at the right time.' He thanked all members of Rank Xerox for their contribution towards It was therefore decided some 1 5 winning the award and asked them years ago that firms with outstanding to pass on those thanks to their achievements in export or colleagues on their return to work. technological breakthrough should be honoured with an award. Acknowledging the contribution The scene inside the international Supply made by our Operating Companies Centre at Welwyn. 'All of you, no matter where you in some 30 countries overseas, he work or what you do, have played said : 'We are proud to be British, Mr Orr-Ewing underlined the a part in serving your firm and but we are proud to be international importance to our company of free thereby your country', said Sir as well.' trade between the industrialized George. countries, and he quoted our trade He then handed to Mr Orr-Ewing He spoke of the work of the Welwyn with Japan as an example. Plant 'which symbolises the two the charter which authorizes Rank main lines of development we see 'We have been successfully selling Xerox to fly the flag of the Queen's for Rank Xerox in the 1980's — to them the Xerox 9200 and soon Award and display the device during copying and the application of we shall be shipping the Xerox the next five years until April 1985. electronics to the office, both of 9400 (for which the Welwyn Plant The official part of the event over. which are already fiercely competitive makes the electronic circuits and the Sir George and our Chairman left fields', and he added : 'I hope photoreceptor belts). the platform to mingle with the everyone will look on this Queen's 'The Xerox 2300 is assembled in the audience, introductions were made, Award not only as a token of what UK from Fuji Xerox components; refreshments were handed round, we have achieved in the past but as most of these 2300's then go to and a friendly family atmosphere a challenge to live up to in the swell our exports to Europe and prevailed. future. more distant parts. Eventually Jack Woods gathered our people together and took them 'I am pleased to be able to tell you 'These are difficult times for industry, off to the Garden Hotel for a splendid that, in a very tough climate, our and we are not exempt from them, meal. exports from this plant are running but a retreat into protectionism 25 per cent above last year's figures.' would do nothing but harm to a It was after midnight when they Referring to the Rank Xerox company such as ours — and a arrived back at Mitcheldean, having Engineering Group which now has country such as ours — both of (continued opposite)

2 A disaster is impending. and modified to suit the requirements Xerox 8200 A fault has been discovered in a of Rank Xerox markets. pipeline carrying oil from an off-shore 'It has taken about a year to get the oil rig to a shore-based terminal. machine out — which makes it the It is vital that the damage is repaired fastest major product programme we as quickly as possible. have ever done,' said John Dennis, Technical Programme Manager. A support ship is sent to the pipeline. It lowers manned submersibles and Because of the very tight schedule, begins a search for the trouble. the programme had to be handled in a special way, both in the States and On land, information from reports, here at Mitcheldean when we underwater photographs, charts and initiated the RX programme in May diagrams must be gathered from 1979. various sources and passed to the ship without delay. Everything depended on people pulling together as a team and 'that is This where the Xerox 8200 with its the only reason we were able to get capabilities for document handling, it out in record time,' says John. reduction, two-sided copying and finishing comes to the rescue. A co-operative working environment was created by bringing together a The high quality of the copies it multi-functional team on the top floor makes is of particular advantage. of Bid 50. This ensured that all could The damage to the pipeline is speedily be,kept easily in the picture and located, the repair begins, the danger enabled a quick response to any mm is averted. issue. And the 8200, having proved its A new disclosure system was worth in a situation where quality, adopted ; this eliminated design speed and efficiency were vital, is change notices and speeded up the ready for the next job. mm delivery of engineering drawings to Manufacturing. Two other dedicated teams — one Not many people know that that from Engineering led by Alistair 'office' where the 8200 helped 'save Caldwell and one from Manufacturing the day' was located at Mitcheldean. led by Sam Phillips — were sent out Here for a time last spring the to the States. Ballroom became a studio, and Based at Henrietta where the Xerox Mitcheldean people participated in copier-duplicator was designed and the making of this dramatic 16mm developed, they worked in close publicity film to support the launch co-operation with their opposite and marketing of the 8200. numbers, keeping up to date with the It was in the spring, too, that the new large number of changes. model made its first European Our manufacturing engineers wrote appearance at the prestigious Hanover the processes for some 100 Fair, along with the 9500 and the completely new sub-assemblies, 960 machines, and it aroused ordered tooling, and assisted with the tremendous public interest. build of six RX 8200's in the model shop there, converting them from Team Spirit 9400 processors shipped across An outstanding feature of the 8200 from Mitcheldean. programme was the speed with which it was designed in the States (Continued overleaf)

Technical Programme Manager John Dennis, Alistair Caldwell and John May all {TP Office) and some Engineering members of the self-styled 'Chain Gang' — Pete Mercer, John Stower, (Continued from page 2) Mil(e Ward, Bill Wylde, Steve Gwynne, Stan Slade, Keith Jones and Pete Blake. enjoyed an event that made 1980 an even more memorable 21st Anniversary Year. In the party were Ruth Carter (Information Systems), Marion Cornwall (Cashier), Lillian Criddle (Assembly), Sylvia Powell (CMSA), Les Bent (Industrial Engineering), John Brain and Bob Taylor (both of Reliability Engineering), Fred Coombes (Supply), Roy Smith (Tool Stores), and Ivor Ward (QA Engineering). Statistical Note: It was on the way to Welwyn, when they had stopped off for lunch at the Evenlode Hotel near Witney, that someone worked out the average years of service of the group. It came to 33, quite an achievement in itself. Above: Simon Foy (Commodity Operations), Above: Looking at an and production engineers Dennis Hart and assembly drawing of Coiin Wiiliams, wiio were among ttie the recirculating members of ttie dedicated IVIanufacturing document handler are team sent out to the States, study the 8200 (from left) Section stapling unit with team leader Sam Phillips Leader Dave Robinson. (far right). Alf Elcock, Clive Cowmeadow and Dave Wilkins of Right: Arthur Robinson, Purchase Manufacturing Co-ordinator for new products in Commodity Engineering. Operations, and Barry Watkins of File Control discuss the 8200 bill of materials with Ian Forster of Configuration Control. (As we went to press we heard the sad news of Arthur's death).

(Continued from page 3) filling the gap until the "hard" tooling the manufacturing process was spot came on stream.' on, we introduced a series of This enabled RX tool try-out prior to extended runs at the final test stage shipment to Mitcheldean for Most of the parts were brought in on every one of the first 85 machines. production use. from Xerox, but in the case of parts This enabled us to identify any bought from European vendors 'the problems at the start and to put them suppliers chopped their lead times The Safety Task right first time.' for us.' Safety approvals were the main task As from September, 8200's are being at Mitcheldean, and again new ways batch built as a straight run. An had to be invented to speed up the Fast Line uninterrupted flow of parts to the line process. (One new way consisted of On the assembly floor the first units is vital and because of the pressure working all through the night to were built alongside the 9400 and daily — even hourly — reviews are meet a deadline I). operators were trained on the line to held to assess the position. produce both 8200 and 9400 Says Ian Forster of Configuration machines, while adjusters went into The all-out efforts of our Inventory Control: 'The VDE (German standards the Training Centre for a few weeks. and Supply Centre people are in authorities) changes were our biggest their turn helping to ensure that the concern. Some brand new part Says Assembly Manager Roy 8200 launch programme continues numbers were involved and our Powell: 'Because it was a fast track Machine Shop delivered the goods. programme and we wanted to be sure (Continued opposite)

Some Facts and Figure,

• It is designed for the medium to can be taken from the delivery tray • Originals which are not suitable high volume user (25,000 to 100,000 while the 8200 completes the rest of for the document handler, such as copies per month). the run. bound volumes or three-dimensional objects, can be copied by raising the • It Is intended primarily for • Complete sets of copies are document handler on its counter• decentralized use rather than in the offset stacked, ready for collection balanced hinges, and placing the print room and the controls have and distribution, or automatically original on the platen. been deliberately kept simple with stapled in the left-hand corner (the the casual operator In mind. machine has a capacity of 10,000 • There Is a choice of three fixed staples). reduction ratios —98%, 75% and • Based on the 9400 processor. • Sorting is not only 'binless' — 72% (A3/A4). And because of the It has a speed of 70 prints per minute it's limitless. If the operator removes high copy quality, a reduced-size to make it compatible with the the copies made before the output copy of a large document can be recirculating document handler, which tray Is full (it holds 350 sheets), the used as an original. is similar to that of the 5600. 8200 will continue to complete the • The user can even Improve on • The RDH takes each original in run. Otherwise It will stop when the many originals by using 'copy turn (it accepts up to 50), positions output tray Is filled to capacity. lighter' or 'copy darker' buttons on It on the platen for printing and • Two-sided copying is semi• the control panel. returns it to its correct position in the automatic and made easy since • The 8200 has two paper feed stack; only one print Is made in each simple visual displays 'talk' the user trays, the lower one holding 2,500 operation. This means that It makes through the process; this applies sheets of paper and the upper 550. a complete set at a time, so the first equally to two-sided copies made few advance copies of, say, a report from two-sided originals.

4 New Copy Centre A new Central Reprographic Area is Quality is the Key planned to come into operation before Christmas. The first customer machine installation in the 8200, and it has become a key Intended for administrative (as of an 8200 in London was in selling feature. distinct from technical) use, it is to Government premises where the print The new imaging technology be sited on the ground floor of Bid room equipment included an offset involves — 23 in the area currently occupied by litho machine. Personnel staff. The latter will be • New toner, giving improved line relocated on floor 2, bringing the As soon as users saw the quality of copy sharpness and virtually whole of the Personnel function the work done on the 8200 they eliminating line copy blur, thus together on one floor. clamoured for their jobs to be carried enabling high quality second, third out on it, and the print room manager and fourth generation copies to be When an original study was carried actually asked if Rank Xerox could produced. out some two years ago into the feasibility of such a project, we were reduce the copy quality as he was • A more efficient image-transfer spending upwards of £20,000 on the finding it difficult to balance the system, resulting in sharper images workload ! printing of stationery outside. Since and reduced graininess of half-tones. then, rising costs and inflation have • A 'soft' roll fuser system, with new Copy quality improvement was, in added appreciably to this figure, so it fuser roll material and other fact, being developed for the 9500 makes sound economic sense to set modifications, giving a rich matt print in the States when it was decided up our own CRA. that this should also be incorporated from solid blacks. The area will provide copying facilities not only for our stationery requirements but also for the long- run copying of manuals, procedures, etc., and for special jobs where presentation is all-important. Equipment will include two 9200's and two medium-volume machines. There will also be a 3600 with slitter/ perforator and a computer forms printer (an off-line facility which produces copies of computer tabulation reduced to A4 size), as well as ancillary equipment such as a guillotine, a stapling machine and an embossing machine. The CRA will be controlled by Ray Carter, Mail/Stationery Supervisor.

Greetings, Hatija! When Hatija Dhalla, editor of the new RX Engineering Group magazine Impetus, was visiting Engineering recently, she stopped to talk to Foreman Barry Thomas watches as Jim Bevan adjusts the registration set-up during the Harold Gardiner. final test of an 8200. He asked her if she had been born in (Continued from opposite page) this country and she said no — her birthplace was in Tanzania in a place on the same dynamic basis. called Morogoro. He wouldn't know As we went to press, Ian Hammill, where that was, she added. who took over from Brian Lewis as But he did. In fact, Harold not only Manufacturing Programme Manager, knew where it was (near Dar-es- told us : 'The first customer machines Salaam) but he used to know her were successfully installed recently in parents who ran a business there. the UK, and launch in the rest of After war service, Harold spent 17 Europe is scheduled to follow shortly.' years in the East African territories of Kenya, Uganda, Zanzibar and It's Great Tanganyika (as Tanzania was called then). He worked for the High The almost breathtaking speed and Commission and his job was in excitement of the 8200 programme telecommunications. have motivated all involved to achieve goals that some might have He met his wife (a nurse) and was thought impossible, and to do that married out there, and has a fund of with enthusiasm. fascinating stories about life in East Africa at that time. 'We followed in the footsteps of Xerox before the mud had dried,' as Hatija herself was educated in this Sam Phillips put it. And the pace is country and is attached to RXEG still fast. Organization, Training and Development at Welwyn. Early targets were met ail the time, and the letters of congratulation Eileen Surge works on the 8200 When next she calls at Mitcheldean, received from across the Atlantic stapler assembly in Bid 24: on the Harold is hoping to have another have been well earned. right is Phil Probert of Inspection. chat with her— in Swahili!

5 THE GELEDRATION TH

In 21 years of plain paper copying, we have nf Mitcheldean such a range of xerographic mad Launched 21 years ago, the 914 was the first automatic xerographic ourselves to see. machine to be made in this country. Here it produces a copy for Director Ron PiAorfee and Fred Wicl(.stead, who was at IVIitcheldean's helm in Held in the Ballroom from August 18 to 22, th 1959. With them at the press launch are commercial trainee Sarah Davies opportunity to compare the earliest of our mac and engineering apprentice Nicholas Farr. controlled models of today. The exhibition opened in a blaze of publicity.! and notebooks. Crews from BBC West and HI toast was drunk in champagne. In the mornings some 90 customers represent! products were brought by the UK Company fo Later, writing to Corporate Affairs Manager Jir Company said that it had been an 'unqualified visitors were 'extremely impressed.' The exhibition did more than attract many new the signing for two 960 machines. The Company also have a commitment to insti area, no less than three 9500's, two 8200's an range products' in the 3400 family. This was in just the first week after the exhibit to be continuing daily. For some people working on site, this was the and from lunchtime onwards they were given 1 and see the running film-show about Rank Xe Paul tJlarland, MP for West Gloucestershire, is shown the capabilities an appearance. of the new 8200 by foreman Barry Thomas of CBA Assembly. Nearly 500 came along with their families on t From the tinies to the octogenarians, they wen demonstrated, and copies were made of hand; ever-obliging operators. There was even the possibility of an outright s old boy was so impressed by the 2300 that he

Doug Wightman of Information Systems explains the working of the 1385 — the first automatic xerographic machine, made in the USA. It takes 90 seconds to make a copy but 'with good operator skill you When members of Ross Town Council visited the exhibition, they were can make it sing—' says welcomed by a fellow councillor — Personnel Director Ron Barnett, seen Doug, who used to work above with the Mayor, Len Harper. Len, who was once a member of our for the UK Company. Engineering Department, was presented with a cheque for £200 from the Believe it or not, one was Company towards the Ross toddlers' playground fund. recently sold to a Nottingham evening newspaper.

6 AT'S HELmNC TO SELL

Children were particularly delighted to see what our machines could do. Security police Gerald Meek (left) and Llew Parry, who were on duty at the entrance, are seen here making friends with the small daughters of Paul Franc. Paul, who assisted Jimmy Bake in the running of the exhibition, has since transferred to the sales side and is now with the UK Co. at Coventry.

The 8200 drew the crowds and John Dennis of Engineering was kept busy demonstrating its versatility by copying practically anything and producing prints in stapled sets. As Technical Programme Manager for the machine (see our earlier article) he was well placed to answer the numerous questions. ver before been able to put on display at ines for our customers, our families and

I 21st Anniversary Exhibition gave us an lines with the sophisticated microprocessor- he local press were there with cameras

(/ shot film that was later screened. And a ig 65 companies to whom we market our a presentation and a plant tour. imy Bake about the exhibition, the UK Ex-apprentice Kevin Beard of Quality success' from the sales angle and that the Engineering and his sister learn about the 3450 — a variation of the 3400 — high-level business contacts — it generated which has all the former model's features plus a reduction capability.

II, when available in the Wales and West I one 5600, plus up to 24 other 'small an, and customer follow-up was reported r first sight of the newest 'hardware' too, he opportunity to take a look at the display The Wales B West branches of the UK ox in which Mitcheldean personalities made Company supplied the medium volume 3400 and 3450 machines (made in Venray) for 18 Tuesday and Thursday 'open evenings', the display. Peter Cross, branch sales fascinated by the versatility of the machines manager from Cardiff, is seen (above right) cigarette packets and other items by the showing some Mitcheldean people the high standard of copy quality produced by the 3400. lie on the Tuesday evening — one six-year- pffered 14p for it on the spot I

The 960 systems forms printer requires a special selling technique. The mini-screen which this group are watching is used for an initial audio-visual presentation to prospective customers before the expertise of the systems salesmen is called upon.

7 Presenting fareweil gifts to two long-serving people on their retirement at the end of August, Assembly Manager Roy Powell referred to them as 'more friends than colleagues.' He was talking about Yvonne Jones and Trevor Hardy, pictured arm in arm above. Yvonne, a foreman {or is it forewoman ?) in CMSA, had officially completed 23 years' service {but for a break of two years the figure would have been 32), while Trevor (Salvage) had clocked up 20 years. LEHCR The association believe in advance planning. With the social evening still to come (on November 8) they are already looking ahead to the annual dinner on May 1 5, 1981.

LSA chairman Jack Woods took the opportunity at the Queen's Award presentation to invite Rank Xerox Chairman Hamish Qrr-Ewing and we are pleased to say he has accepted. A double farewell took place in August to two long-serving Stores people. Arthur Bevan In addition to the retirements (centre left) was retiring after 26 years with us. He joined as an assembly worker, featured here, we must add those of becoming chargehand: later he transferred to Stores and was senior clerk (provisioning) in Consumables. With 37 years' service, Joe Bennett (centre right) was our third longest two (unrelated) people by the name serving male employee. He started in the Machine Shop 18 years ago, joined Tool Stores and of Matthews. became leading hand in charge of the NC section stores. Making two presentations at John, who left at the end of August once on behalf of their colleagues is Eddie Lewis, Manager, Tool Et Consumables Stores. after 19 years' service, worked in the Machine Shop on the milling section and in recent years was on night shift.

Albert, whose work was in the field of stock control, had completed 19 years' service when he left in September but he had a previous spell of 13 years' here, making 32 all told.

We wish them all the best.

Our sincere apologies to Bill Pearce After 33 years' service, Frank Bick, chargehand responsible for all service operators in for an error that crept into our last Finishing Operations, retired in August. Frank started in the Polishing Shop, and his issue; he was, of course. Manager responsibilities later expanded to cover all polishing, vibro, plating, painting and heat of Hereford Stores when he left in treatment operations. Terry Buffry, Manager Finishing Operations, presented a farewell gift on July after some 25 years in the behalf of colleagues while Vic Buhlmann made the LSA presentation. On hearing that Production Control/Stores ex-Navy man Frank was thinking of moving to Portsmouth, Vic said:'/ have my suspicions environment. he is going to rejoin the Navy!'

June Lewis — our fourth longest serving woman employee — left the Machine Shop in September after working in Inspection there for all her 32 years with us. It was at Mitcheldean that she met her husband Eddie (pictured on this page also) and we reported their wedding in VISION way back in 1964. Here colleagues gather round to see her presented with a watch by Dave Barrett, Manager Manufacturing OA, and to wish her all the best for the future. personnel have already been interviewed for specific jobs — others are on a waiting list. One direct result of the UK Co.'s visit was that Personnel lost a member of its own staff — Paul Franc, who has taken up the post of Finance Manager at the Coventry branch office. IT'S ALL CHANCE! He is one among a total of 26 people who have been transferred to other parts of Rank Xerox in recent months. To name a few others: Martin Fenn- Smith and Graham Riddiford are now at IHQ in London; Tony Fleury is managing Supply Centres inventory and is based at Uxbridge; Brian People are on the move. Familiar busy, moving people into areas where Weyman, Steve Maycock, Tony faces are not in their usual places. they are needed, and helping to Knight have all gone to Welwyn It's all part of the change that ensure the smooth transfer of others Garden City; Brian Lewis is now competition has brought about. to suitable vacancies outside. with RTSDD at Aylesbury. Not that we are unused to change at Current opportunities, not only at One — John Hek — has even gone Mitcheldean — it has been our other Rank Xerox units but in the overseas to take up a post with our constant companion in the past as Rank Organization and Xerox as a Operating Company in South Africa, we grew to match the increasing whole, and with other employers in thereby ensuring that he has a place demands made upon us. the area, have been posted on in the sun I vacancy notice boards and on the Competition requires change that special redeployment boards near Advice for the Asking puts cost uppermost in the priority Personnel Reception in Building 23. list. Personnel say they will be happy to advise anyone who wishes to know For you and me, this means we may Informal Get-togethers more and would like, at least, to be required to work in a different For the benefit of those interested in consider what opportunities this place and/or carry out different work. being considered for jobs in the UK change presents. Recently, for many, the outcome has Company and within Rank Xerox And any interested people who been to move to another RX location, Engineering Group at Welwyn Garden missed out on the UK Company's visit, change careers, or move to other City, informal get-togethers have because of holidays or whatever, may departments at Mitcheldean. been held in the club house in like to know that a second get- recent months. Others, looking at opportunities outside together is planned for January 1981. Rank Xerox, have taken advantage of Chats with the visiting managers, the Company's early retirement slide/tape and video presentations arrangements or of the assisted and copious literature have given release package introduced in March Mitcheldean people a clear picture of of this year. present opportunities and future ANY NEWS FOR VISION ? Quite a few of the latter have used prospects, as well as of the environment in which they would be their newly acquired capital to start If you have, then please — working and the relocation assistance up in business on their own account mall It to me c/o Public Relations, Bid 06/1, available to them. — in fact, the Company has recently or leave It at any Gate House for run courses for potential leavers The visiting managers, in their turn, collection by me, during which a consultant of the have been able to assess the skills or post it to me at Tree Tops, Plump Hill, Department of Industry's Small and experience of those attending so Mitcheldean, Business Division gave first-hand as to match them up with appropriate or ring me — ext. 566 or Drybrook 542415. advice on keeping books, etc. vacancies. Myrtle Fowler, Editor All this has kept Personnel Department A number of Mitcheldean-based Migrating- to IHQ

Norman Fisher recently introduced Assistant General Manager of a new category of leavetaking — Mitcheldean Plant, then in 1975 migration I transferred with Mr Morfee to start up the new Group Materials office. In September he moved to Rank Xerox Headquarters (Westbourne In the last five years he has continued House) to become Migration to focus on materials systems, and, Manager for RX Shared Systems he says : 'Never before in the pursuit which are to be implemented in of systems solutions could one man Operating Companies throughout have been so fortunate to travel so Europe and Scandinavia over the far and meet so many good guys 1' next few years, and as such he will Just before he left to take up his new be flying between 13 different appointment in London he told territories. A ship's decanter was one of several VISION : 'What I am going to miss goodbye gifts from colleagues presented Norman joined our Manufacturing most is the genuine warmth of the to Norman Fisher at his leavetaking by Programme Management team in people at Mitcheldean with whom I Jack Bonney, Manager, Group Co• 1972. He was subsequently appointed have worked.' ordination Et Control, Information Systems.

9 Golfers bring back the Cup

The triumphant 'A' team — Marl< Barnard, John Cash, Roy Taylor (capt.) holding the Inter-Plant Cup, Rich Matthews, Geoff Paton and Dave Robinson.

Once again our golfers have brought score overall for the day and the Best afternoon cards were produced the Haggett Cup back to where it runner-up was Mark. by John Wigg and Roy Taylor (70 belongs — in Mitcheldean ! In case anyone is wondering what nett) while Bob Randall was runner- up with 74 nett. The annual Inter-Plant Competition happened to the 'B' team, I may add took place at the Frilford Heath Golf that they were not disgraced and Roy Powell and Mike Sawyer also Club in south Oxfordshire on August came 5th with a 225 total. deserve mention for carrying out the 27 and we entered two teams, 'A' organization of the day's outing so and B'. More Cups well. These are selected from the order of For their fifth outing of the year, the Harold Gardiner merit table which runs through our Golf Society paid a visit to the calendar golf year and automatically Worcestershire Golf Club at Malvern Life with the Lions selects the top 12 players. Wells on August 21. On Sunday, September 7, the Photographic Club boarded the American member John Wigg This was to play for the Inter- coach for their annual outing — qualified but was obliged to Departmental Cup over 36 holes this time a trip to see the lions of withdraw due to pressure of duty and medal play, with the best two cards Longleat. the next man on the list had to take for the morning and the best two his place. cards of the afternoon counting. Having made an early start, the party The teams this year were made up Considering this fixture came at the arrived at the home of Lord Bath in plenty of time to take a leisurely ride as follows (handicaps shown in height of the holiday season, it was around the Safari Park. brackets) : gratifying to see 14 teams entering plus two guest stalwarts. Well done, 'A' Team 'B' Team Cameras clicked as the coach addicts I Geoff Paton (5) Mike Newlove (7) deposited its passengers among the John Cash (5) Harold Gardiner (9) Winners of the Cup were PED ADD• giraffes, camels and zebras, and there Mark Barnard (7) Bob Howell (10) ONS (Roy Taylor, Dave Robinson, were shouts of 'Those animals bite' as Dave Robinson (9) Bill Price (12) Richard Matthews) whose best total muzzles nuzzled handbags and Rich Matthews (15) Danny Haines (15) 4 cards were 291 nett. camera cases. Roy Taylor (16) Mike Ward (16) Runners-up were Design ADD-UPS One camel, named Jezebel, became A total of eight teams entered, one of (John Cash, Guru Kushida, Harold very attached to the coach and in them again coming over from Ireland Gardiner) whose total was 296 nett. particular to Tony, the driver. (welcome, Pat Kenny — hope to see you in 1981). The day was perfect, Best individual card for the morning It made a change for club members being blessed with sunshine the round belonged to Richard (66 nett) to be 'caged' for the ride through whole time; the scoring was bound with John Cash runner-up (70 nett). the enclosures containing monkey, to be good under these conditions In the afternoon Harold Gardiner elephant, lion and tiger — the most and so it turned out. produced the best individual card inspiring being the big cats with their sheer power and grace. Our teams' aggregate for the best with 72 nett, while Don Parkinson was runner-up with 74 nett. four cards for the morning and the Finally arriving at the magnificent afternoon counting was 267 (average The entry for an earlier outing to house at lunchtime, the party spent of 33-4 points per card). This gave us Burford GC on July 16 was again a the afternoon viewing the building a win over Welwyn GC 'A' team of large one. The competition was the and gardens and absorbing the 11 points margin, their score being Summer Cup, and the winner on the history contained within the walls 256. day was the golfer who produced the of this monument to one of Britain's Very well done, lads, and lowest nett score over 36 holes. most famous families. congratulations; may your defence of John Wigg won the cup with a nett Break for commercial: The Photo the cup next year ensure we retain 144, the runner-up being Brian Club are always on the look-out it. Greaves with 145 nett. for new members who would like For the record, the individual The best card for the morning round to take an active part in their activities. scoring was: Geoff 72 pts, Mark 69, of 18 holes was from Brian (nett 63), If there's anyone out there who is John 64, Dave 60, Roy 59 and Rich the runners-up being John, Mike interested, would they please 51. Geoff had the best individual Ward and John Cash with 74 nett. contact Mike Wilkinson or Vance

10 Hopkins on ext. 1407, iVlartin Stock (608) or Colin Wyman (1449). KO Champs Again There's an excellent opportunity to meet the rest of the gang at a social evening/skittles match which the club is holding in the club house on December 4.

Roger Gets a Sponsor When Roger Ellis races his go-kart (sorry, we should say 'kart') around the country in future, it will sport the symbol of the Rank Xerox Motor Club who are now sponsoring him. Said Roger: 'They are kindly meeting the cost of my tyres which, along with transport, form a major part of my expenses. I used up two brand new ones in one go when I took part in an all-day international race in Jersey recently.' For Roger, who works in the Beside the scoreboard showing them as clear winners with 46 points are (from left) Richard Calibration area in Bid 40/2 and Trim, Martin Saunders, Sue Ireland, Lynne Ward, John Hally and Nigel Ward. belongs to Bromsgrove Kart Club, it's a hobby which takes up all his spare Once again Mitcheldean has won the that the RX score was correct. (Was time and money. 'It's a Knockout' contest, held by this a fiendish plot by Woodville RXMC secretary Adrian Richards Ross-on-Wye Round Table. Polymer or just poor mathematics on the part of the organizers ?) believes that 'Roger is going places'. 'After last year's success we had And with a kart that can get from 0 people queuing up to take part', says 'Lynne, Sue and Martin struck up a to 60 mph in under 4 seconds, he's Nigel Ward who, along with Finance particularly close friendship during likely to get there fast! colleagues Sue Ireland, John Hally the competition; John and Richard and Martin Saunders, Lynne (Nigel's should do well serving in the Canteen The Eagle Soars Again wife) from CMSA and Richard Trim (those who wish to know why should Years ago, after winning the coveted of Business Services, showed the ask the people concerned I). 'Silver C badge for gliding, an RAF Rank Xerox flag among contestants 'And if anybody knows how to stand pilot named Martyn Holbrook was from other local industries. up on slippery polythene, will they thrilled to have the opportunity to Says Nigel: 'A large crowd assembled please let me know — it might come fly Sir Peter Scott's own sail-plane on the Ropewalk on Saturday, August in handy in 1981. Eagle III. 23, to watch the fun; as one local Today, Martyn (who works in reporter put it, "An afternoon for 'Thanks to the sportsmanship and Manufacturing Engineering) is ghouls who enjoy watching the enthusiasm of all the teams, and the flying it again. Only this time it is not-so-serious downfalls of people." excellence of the organization, much fun was had by spectators and a 1 /5th scale model. 'The organizers (among them Area competitors alike. One of Mitcheldean's keenest Personnel Officer John Bearham) had aeromodellers, Martyn wanted to arranged some very entertaining 'After a very close-run battle with the recreate the happy memory of flying games involving buckets of water, team from Reed's we held on to the the Eagle, and he spent two years water-filled balloons, tyres and large Woodville Trophy for a second year, building it from a kit in his leisure sheets of polythene covered with individual trophies going to each time. hand-cleaner. team member.

His attention to detail (even the 'The latter item was used to great 'We hope that the Round Table can cockpit is complete with an Action effect in the last game in which three achieve the aim behind the event — Man sitting at the controls and a members of each team took part in a to help equip rehabilitation kitchens dolly girl as a companion !) won him kind of Human Grand National. for the mentally handicapped at top marks for construction when he 'Our Finance people were on hand Dean Hill Hospital — and look forward recently entered the national when the scoreboard went haywire, to next year (and our third win in a competition sponsored by the Radio John Hally, in particular, making sure row ?).' Modeller magazine. Instead of embarking on a new model, Martyn, who is editor of the RX Aeromodellers' news magazine, is now trying his hand at something completely different — he's writing a spy story.

Skittle Triumphs Martyn with his The Sevens & Fours beat the Hits Et Slingsby Eagle Misses by 256 : 21 5 in the finals of which has a wing- the Ladies' Interdepartmental span of 140 in. and Skittles KO held on September 27. weighs 11 lb. He constructed it At the men's finals, held a week later, from balsa wood, the Misfits emerged winners, beating plywood, spruce the Bit or Shust team 320: 291. and nylon. We'll be picturing the teams next Photo courtesy time round. Hereford Times

11 Births

Timothy Edward, a son for Jim Vivian- Griffiths (Finance) and his wife Val (formerly Supply Centre), on July 3.

Kerri Jane, a daughter for Doug Wightman (Information Systems) and his wife Marie, on July 27.

Lucy Margaret, a daughter for Dave Williams (Mfg. Eng.) and his wife Jill (formerly Group Purchasing), on August 4. Jason, a son for Robin GIbbard (Stock Control) and his wife Joyce (formerly Switchboard), on August 19.

EYeSBNSWETY IVIary Burford Total number of Three diamonds winked from the pendant that Mary Burford was wearing when we accidents for period: located her in Bid 41. Ann Jones of Security was married to John Perrins at Linton Church on July/Aug '79 July/Aug '80 Presented to her by Manager Roy Powell August 23. last August, they testified to the 30 years' service that she has given at Mitcheldean.

Actually she started work here in the Paint Obituary Shop in 1948. After two years she left for We report with regret the deaths of the a short time, but she returned to the Paint following: George Arnold (gardener) on Shop in 1950 and her husband Dennis August 13; he was 56, and had been with joined her there. us since July 1967. Glyn Lancaster of RX During her years with us, Mary has been In a Cinderford on September 21 ; aged 52, he variety of jobs - on the assembly floor, In came to us in 1978. Arthur Robinson, Co• the press shop. In spares packing. ordinator New Products in Commodity Operations, on September 22 aged 61 ; he Today her work is still varied, for she Is joined us in 1975. now employed In the Assembly Operations Support Group (formerly known as the Pensioners Gilbert Simmonds on August 23 Flexibility Pool). at the age of 74; Patrick Largey on August The cumulative figure to the end of 25 aged 68 ; George Potter on September 6 Apart from husband Dennis, leading hand August 1979 was 149: to the end of in the Fuser Roll section of the Machine at the age of 69; Jack Thomas on August 1980 it was down to 120. September 17, aged 63. Shop, whose own 30 years' service we We would like to convey our sympathy to wrote about in our May/June issue, Mary their families. has two other relatives working at Once a Junkie Mitcheldean - a brother and a brother-in- law. On August 12 the Rank Xerox Christian Retirements Fellowship had a visit from Mr. R. J. The following also recently became eligible Best wishes to the following who retired wightman at a lunchtime meeting in the for Company service awards as follows: recently: Margaret Baldwin (Spares Parking) cinema, and they have sent us the following 15 years; Joyce Annetts (Elec. Subs.) 10 report: 20 Years years; Harry Chew (Supply Centre) nearly August— Keith Burris (Production Control), For 17 years, Mr Wightman was addicted 12 years; Eric Edwards (Supply Centre) 12 John Court (Production Control), Dave to heroin, cocaine, methadone, years; Joe Hamlen (Parts Manufacturing) Evans (RX Lydney), Trevor Hardy amphetamines/barbs, LSD and other man- 17J years; Richard Harper (Supply Centre) (Assembly), Roy Turley (RX Lydney) : made drugs. His life was a constant stream nearly 9 years; Ken Jones (Commodity September— Dave Haines (Engineering), of injections, pills and despair. But, as he Operations) nearly 10 years; Wilf Jones Bob Hart (Parts Manufacturing), Peggy told us, a dramatic change came as he (Supply Centre) 10 years; Neville Mullls Herbert (Machine Shop), Norman Jones accepted the reality of Jesus Christ. His (Assembly Operations Support) nearly 4 (Assembly), Roy Jones (Manufacturing power changed the despair Into deliverance. years; Elsie Osley (Cleaning Services) Engineering), Bruce Toomer (Receiving nearly 15 years; Dot Parker (Engineering) 'Now he is "off" the drug scene, and Inspection), Des Weyman (Engineering). 15 years; Dennis Roberts (Finishing) 16 completely free of all drugs. His story Is a years; Tom Wallis (Internal Transport) living proof of the reality of Christ today.' 25 Years 11J years; Goff White (Elec. Subs.) The RXCF say they hope to Invite him August—Basil Brown (Quality 14J years. again to one of their meetings. Engineering), Ken Holloway (Works Engineering) Brian James (Engineering), Winston Jenkins (Commodity Operations) Larry Sterrett (Parts Manufacturing), September— Fred Coombes (Supply Centre).

Retiring after 10 years' service last August was parts analyst Ken Jones of Commodity Operations. Apart from his work. Ken has made an outstanding contribution to community life — as a JP, school governor, and councillor at county, district and parish level. Though 'taking things more easily' now, he is continuing as governor of Drybrook Primary School and as an active member of Littledean Bench.

12 Printed in England by Taylor, Young (Printers) Ltd , Cheltenham