Nigel Jon & Joe Jon Fitzpatrick

Joe had been coming into work with his dad Nigel since 1993, and learnt to drive the forklift truck at 6 years old. Back in 1998 at the age of 11 during school holidays, he was going out onto site with his dad to customer’s workshops in Sheffield. He’d watch him fix MIG welders at places like Europa Engineering near Magna Centre, and would help carry his dad’s Hammerite blue and silver steel tool box, that he used until his final day.

I remember the smell of those welding fabrication workshops going back to my childhood, and that smell of steel and welding brings back so, so much nostalgia. I realised just how long I’ve been in the welding industry, how it’s been a part of my life since before I was born, and how I’ve been around welding forever. I remember it all. I remember the 100s of questions or curiosity I asked my dad about everything and all welding. I remember all my times on site as a welding plant engineer for 8 years on the road, visiting 100s of workshops everywhere, meeting so many talented and clever people. I learnt so much from them too.

My dad, Nigel Jon Fitzpatrick, loved this work. I also realised how much I, Joe Jon Fitzpatrick, also do. The welding industry is all I’ve done my entire life. It’s who I am really, and everything evolves around this work. It’s why I continue to keep putting all my time, effort and energy into helping people.

Long may Spectrum continue to serve the industry.