TWO men who joined a North-East welding and plant repair business more than 20 years ago have been recognised for their loyalty.

Howard Reay, from Fatfield, Washington, Wearside, joined brothers Keith and Gary Miller as a fitter at their Miller UK business in Tower Street, Newcastle, 24 years ago. Mick Fenwick, from Lambton, also Wearside, joined two years later.

The company manufactures buckets and attachments for earth moving equipment made by Caterpillar, JCB and Komatsu.

Mr Fenwick said: "When the company was very young and Keith was trying to build it up, there were times when we would work for two or three weeks without getting paid, but we knew we'd get it in the end.

"People say it's loyalty, but it's who you work for that brings that out in you. You don't forget those times, and it's been amazing to see the rate at which we've grown since then."

With a 15,000sq metre factory in Cramlington, Northumberland, and a second factory in China, Miller also has offices in Japan, Germany and the US. The company's two longest-serving employees were recognised before 200 colleagues at a Miller staff presentation held at St James' Park, Newcastle.

As a product development engineer, Mr Reay was instrumental in Miller's relationships with equipment manufacturers.

He said: "At one time, I was away for nine months of the year, all over Asia, Europe and America, visiting manufacturers to explain how our products work."

Other team members who were recognised for more than 15 years service included Guy Laybourne, Stephen Brown, David Baird, Paul Reed and Michael Corbett.