Went for a few weeks and half a century later there's no sign of John burning out
John Cummins from Borris with managing director of Torc Candles David Sammon
TIME FLIES and no-one knows that better than Borris man John Cummins!
Not only did John celebrate his 70th birthday last week, he also marked his 50th year working for a candle factory in the village.
John started work in what was then called Boramic Candles, but is now known as Torc Candles, on 1 April 1975, having decided to give it a go for a short while.
“I thought that I’d do it for a few months because it was outdoors work that I really wanted, but I got on really well with the bosses and I stuck it out. I was going to leave several times, but by then I’d gotten good with the machines and they’d offer me more money so I’d stay,” recalled John fondly.
John’s first boss was Padraig Lennon, who owned the factory. The business changed hands when Ken Keenan from Bagenalstown bought it, while it’s now owned by David Sammon. John’s natural ability to get on with people, along with his abhorrence of being idle, made him an ideal employee.
“I got on well with all the bosses over the years and they let me do my own thing. I really enjoy the job, there’s always something to be done,” continued John.
Such is the respect that management and staff hold John is that they held an impromptu party for him, with a cake to celebrate his 50 years of being in the company.
John lives nearby to the factory that’s based on the Fenagh Road, Borris. He’s married to Anne, has three children, Leonard, Sarah and Deirdre and ten grandchildren. Over the past five decades he’s seen some huge changes in the candle factory. When he started back in 1975, just six employees were working there, while there are now 40 people on the factory floor. The burgeoning company expanded when it went from making church-type candles to making scented candles for high-street brands such as Dunnes Stores, Musgraves and Cost Co as well as high-end, luxury designers.
“The company is doing really well. I like working there, I’m working three days a week now. I was going to finish up this month, but why would I do that? I don’t like sitting around all day, I’d only be in the way of the hoover at home. When I hear the hoover going, it’s time for me to leave the house! I’ve been working since the age of ten, so I’ll go on for another few months anyway. Maybe I’ll gradually cut down the days bit by bit. I’ll ease myself out of it gradually,” said John.
