Tribute From Michael Dufton - Ex Group 4 Employee
Not only did JPS create a large multinational company which eventually had a presence on every continent, he also enabled many other people to realise their own goals and ambitions.
JPS did this not only by his own ingenuity and ideas, but also by giving to his management and staff a significant freedom to do what they thought was right for both the customer and the company.
He was able to get the most out of people and at the same time remain essentially human and concerned for the individual. In talking about him with other friends, it was often the small details of his kindness and thought for others which have struck us all.
The other remarkable achievement was to create one of the most "extended families” within one of the largest employers in the industrial world. JPS managed to create a sense of personal loyalty which was quite infectious. If he ever asked us to walk across hot coals, there would have been few of us who would have hesitated.
JPS was able to bring about a sense of fun and adventure in projects and initiatives, which made it a real pleasure to work for him, his “extended family” and his group.
His passing has brought a number of us together again, as it did whilst we worked in his company.
His legacy is not only a great company but also the employees who worked for him, and their skill and expertise will live on in his company and beyond it.
Michael Dufton