As the most trusted supplier of conservatories, doors and windows in the Preston area, many of our customers have come back time and time again as they move house or continue to improve where they live. The chances are at some point these customers may well have met our longest standing staff member, Dave Rourke.

The photograph shows John Croft and Martin Boyd presenting Dave with an Omega watch for his 65th birthday. We also thought it was a chance to find out more about what has made Dave proud to work for Croft for almost 5 decades. Read on to find out more.

Dave was 16 when he joined the Croft team in 1968. He started by making timber windows before Croft began manufacturing uPVC windows in 1973. With proud craftsmanship, Dave worked in the manufacture and installation of uPVC windows until 1988 when he became a service engineer.

The window market has changed significantly during Dave’s career. When Dave began working in uPVC, there was one type of window, one type of door and one colour – White. When asked what was the biggest change Dave has seen he comments that “It is the huge range of products now available. There are so many styles of window and door and a huge range of colour now. Our early windows and doors were great quality and have stood the test of time but the new ranges available can really add style and transform any house.”

Croft offer a comprehensive 10 year guarantee which means that Dave is busy looking after our windows and doors, calling on 6-8 customers a day. Croft want to make sure that our customers are satisfied throughout the life of their windows and doors so if there is a niggle with a handle or an adjustment that needs to be made, Dave and the team will be happy to help.

Dave has made many friends at Croft where most staff have worked for many years. Dave says that “this is the difference with buying from Croft as we value quality craftsmanship above a quick sale”.

When asking colleagues about Dave, he is seen as the most cheerful staff member and famous for singing at 7.30am in the morning as he is loading his van for the day. When not at work, he enjoys visiting car boot sales, collecting curios and has appeared on the Antiques Road Show twice, getting there on his special edition Harley Davidson.