Sankey set up the firm in 1939, the day before the Second World War was declared. After the war he invested his 100 RAF demob money to relaunch the business.
In 1980 the firm moved to its current factory in Beaumont Leys and it has grown to sales of 50m and employing 400 staff.
Sankey was known as the Old Man to the firms workforce but, said the firm, he also possessed the rare ability to grasp the meaning of new technologies.
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"An excellent business and nice people to work with. Such a shame to see this all disappear from the UK. Wishing you both the best in your future and enjoy retirement"
"You must tell us you lipstick shade Derek, very fetching!"
"Was thinking same. I used to long for a red button option to watch it without Gregg's input in the past."
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