IT TAKES special kind of person to work for 60 years in just one place – but that's been achieved by Willie Bilsland with Hamilton Brothers, which is based in Bishopton, Renfrewshire.

He recently celebrated his 'Diamond Anniversary' with the company – which sells Massey Ferguson, Valtra and Kubota, tractors – after joining it in November, 1960. When he joined, the original depot was on Glasgow Road, Paisley, as an apprentice agricultural engineer he was just 15.

Having grown up on a farm, Willie developed a passion for all things agricultural at an early age. He completed his apprenticeship in just two years – something that would usually take four years back then.

When Hamilton Brothers moved to the Abercorn Street workshop, Willie was promoted to field service engineer, carrying out repairs on farms in Renfrewshire, Dunbartonshire, Argyll and the islands.

In the 1980s, Willie took on the role of service manager. During this time, he won many merit awards, including the ‘Master of Service Award’ from Massey Ferguson in 1985-1986 and Kubota Tractors' ‘UK Service Manager of the Year’ in 1991.

In 2001, Willie moved back to the workshop as a service engineer and has worked in this post up to the present day, servicing and repairing tractors and groundcare machinery.

Eric Gardiner, Hamilton Brothers' managing director, said: "I was delighted to help Willie celebrate his 60th anniversary working with Hamilton Bros. Having worked with him since I joined the company in 1983, I have witnessed his loyalty, devotion, and passion for what he does first-hand.

"He is the perfect example of everything we look for in a member of staff and more. Thank you for your continuous hard work and helping shape our company over the years."

Friends and colleagues met last weekend to assist in the celebrations, with special presentations from both Massey Ferguson and Kubota