FORT VALLEY, Ga. — Blue Bird Corporation recently honored employees with notable employment milestones. Blue Bird honored 66 employees with employment milestones of 35 years or greater, with the largest milestone marked at 50 years of service.
These employees were recognized for their service during a company ceremony and awarded with a certificate of appreciation and a gift of $50 dollars per five year employment increment.
Celebrating 50 years of employment, J.W. Purvis began working at Blue Bird at the age of 18. Initially starting as a fabricator, through the years J.W. has held many hats and today fulfills his duties with Blue Bird’s maintenance department. “I began working for Blue Bird in 1962, a time when gasoline was just 29 cents per gallon,” said J.W. Purvis. “Over the past 50 years, I have enjoyed watching Blue Bird’s products evolve and the manufacturing line progress to the efficient engine it is today. I was trained by some of the most knowledgeable veterans at Blue Bird and I take great pride in knowing that many of those same elements that helped build a safe bus are still being properly carried out─ you can’t beat that.”
This year, Delmar Davis, Jr. celebrates 35 years of employment at Blue Bird. In 1977, Delmar joined Blue Bird as a press operator and has progressed throughout the plant as his job roles developed. Today, Delmar works with Blue Bird’s materials department and ensures that appropriate parts are staged and ready as the buses progress down the assembly line. “I love to come to work each day,” said Delmar Davis, Jr. “As the sixth generation in my family to work at Blue Bird, I am proud to call my fellow co-workers family, both literally and figuratively. When I work, I feel good!”
“There are not many companies that have the opportunity to thank so many of its employees for over 35 years of hard work and dedication. Our employees’ commitment and enthusiasm for Blue Bird shows in the quality of our buses as they roll of the assembly line each day,” said Phil Horlock, president and CEO of Blue Bird Corporation. With 1,500 employees, the average length of employment at Blue Bird is 19 years. “Having the best and most committed workforce in the business is a key reason for Blue Bird’s success over the years!”
For more information on Blue Bird’s complete product line or to find a Dealer in your area, visit www.blue-bird.com.
