50 Years of Dedication
An employee at The Dow Chemical Company Styrofoam plant in Bilbao, Spain, recently celebrated 50 years of service for Dow. Agustín Aurrekoetxea Gondra began working for Dow when he was 14 years old and has seen the company pass through many different stages during his half-century career.
His vantage point has come from the variety of positions he held during his decades of service but regardless of his job title, he has achieved this milestone by working with continued energy, enthusiasm and the dedication needed to achieve success.
According to Agustín, he’s seen the most substantial improvements in safety. “Year after year, Dow has raised its safety standards, carrying out campaigns like Drive to Zero and others,” he said. “The sustainability objectives and the efforts it took to achieve them were exceptional milestones during my career.”
Thanks for the Memories
 |
 |
 |
To commemorate his 50 years at Dow and his subsequent retirement, an event was organised at the Bilbao site where all of Agustín’s friends and colleagues took the opportunity to share their memories and commemorate his exceptional career.
In a speech to the audience, Fernando Palacios, the Bilbao site leader, praised Agustín’s dedication and commitment and emphasised his talent and capabilities over the last 50 years. Antón Valero, country leader of Dow Ibérica, also thanked Agustín saying “You have witnessed substantial changes in areas such as the environment, advances in safety and new technologies. Over and above your various personal and professional circumstances, there is something else that underlies all of this – your desire to work with happiness and dedication, as well as the drive for continuous professional improvement. Those are the things that have made 50 years of success possible!”
Philippe Pfister, business manufacturing leader of the Building Solutions business, commemorated Agustin’s career by pointing out that in the last 12 years, he and his colleagues have made Bilbao the second ranked Styrofoam plant in the world with zero accidents.
“I would like to thank you for all the opportunities that you have given me and the way I have been treated,” said Agustin, who was very touched by the recognition of his colleagues and leaders. “I sincerely hope I have served as an example and that my efforts will somehow help new employees at Dow for many years.”
The Next Half Century
Globally, Dow has approximately 285 employees with 40+ years of service, accounting for .06% of the total Dow population. Agustín is the second Dow employee to hit the half-century service mark within the past 12 months. Roberto Parodi who works at the site in Buenos Aires, Argentina, celebrated 50 years with Dow in 2007. The next 50-year celebration is expected to take place in 2011.
