Tyrone man celebrates 55 years of service with Terex

A GLOBAL manufacturer of materials processing machinery and aerial work platforms has celebrated the remarkable 55-year service milestone of a Tyrone man.

Justin Donnelly, applications specialist, is the longest-serving team member worldwide within the Terex Materials Processing segment.

Mr Donnelly’s journey with Terex, which began in 1969 at the Terex Coalisland Road site (then known as Ulster Plant), is a testament to the dedication and profound impact he has had on shaping the success of Terex over the years.

Joining as a recent graduate from the local technical college, he initially intended to gain work experience before exploring other opportunities.

However, as he immersed himself in the ambitious team at Ulster Plant and saw the collective determination to be the leader in the mobile screening market, he realised he had become part of something special.

Reflecting on his early days, Mr Donnelly said, “I soon realised I had joined a company with a great product and a highly-skilled workforce who were determined to be number one in the mobile screening market. It was rewarding to see this ambition come to fruition and be a part of its success.”

Over the decades, Mr Donnelly’s career evolved alongside the growth of Ulster Plant, transitioning from cutting sheet metal to contributing significantly to sales, service, research and development, applications, plant commissioning, and management.

During this time, Ulster Plant transformed into Powerscreen, which subsequently embarked on a global expansion journey that grew the company to become a major industry player.

His colourful career included international travel, meeting his wife Catherine during his time in North America, and the birth of their two daughters, Carla and Moya.

Returning to the Powerscreen factory in Dungannon in the mid-1980s, Mr Donnelly continued to ascend through various roles, eventually assuming the position of Applications Specialist for a new brand, Terex Washing Systems.

Commenting on his long and varied career when he reached 50 years, he said, “My career has been very rewarding and has taught me so much that I could probably write a book!

“But some highlights that come top to my mind are having had the opportunity to travel the world, meeting and working with some fantastic people and now, this personal highlight-reaching 50 years working for one company.”

Five years on from his 50th anniversary, Mr Donnelly continues to embrace an active and hands-on approach. Never resting on his laurels, Justin is keen to get the spanners out and boiler suit on during site visits.

In more recent years, Justin has dedicated his efforts to developing new talent within Terex, significantly contributing to the growth of the Applications department, and actively using his experience to attract new team members into the business.

Barry McMenamin, business line director, Terex Washing Systems, said, “Justin’s influence goes beyond his impressive professional achievements; he embodies the spirit of collaboration and mentorship. As Sir Isaac Newton once said, ‘If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants’. Justin is undeniably one of those giants.”

To mark Justin’s 55-year milestone, Terex Washing Systems celebrated with a team lunch and cake, where team members honoured not just a career milestone but a legacy of dedication, mentorship and excellence.