Rising star of Warburtons retires after 39 years

LATICS fan Jim Stott (left) is pictured with wife Elaine and Warburtons executive director Brett Warburton. Picture: Don Tonge

SALES manager Jim Stott has said farewell to Warburtons after 39 years.

The 63-year-old joined the bakery firm in Shaw as a vans salesman delivering bread and quickly worked his way up the ladder.

He has been sales manager for 28 years, renowned for his network of contacts and knowing every store in the area.

Also famed for his catchphrase “it’s a jungle out there”, colleagues attended a celebration on Friday to mark his retirement.

Mr Stott, who has two children and three grandchildren, said: “I will miss it but I think other people should have the opportunity now.

“I have enjoyed my time here and I would probably do the same again with a few changes.

“I have enjoyed seeing the company grow from a North-West bakery to the second-biggest grocery brand behind Coca-Cola.”

The keen Latics fan is married to Elaine and one of the couple’s first dates was to watch a reserve match in the snow.

The couple celebrated their ruby wedding anniversary last year and the avid travellers have visited more than 53 countries, their most recent trip to the Arctic circle where they drove their own team of huskies and stayed in an ice hotel.

They are now planning a family holiday in Spain followed by trips to France, America, Brazil and Argentina.

Mr Stott was presented with an i-Pod, a Latics shirt, Athletic hospitality and directors’ box tickets, a lesson with a professional snooker player and travel vouchers.

General manager Steve Merritt said Jim had been a key part of Warburtons’ success and added: “In 39 years of change, when the price of bread has risen from about 9 pence a loaf, Jim has maintained a focus on driving quality, customer service and customer satisfaction.”