Each morning at 8.45, Derek Price, 93, leaves his house near Bath, and walks the 500 yards to his rubber moulding and sports ball factory for a full day’s work. With him are pages of notes he has written the night before. ‘There’s 101 things,’ says Derek. ‘We’ve just moved production to a new site, so I’m working on layout and size of sheds. I’m rebuilding and engineering a tennis ball steaming machine. I’m looking at ways to save oil consumption. I want to improve our website...’
He’s usually home by 7pm. ‘I’ll have a large G&T, fall asleep, then my wife wakes me and we have dinner.’ At weekends, Derek’s working hours are slightly reduced – he clocks off at 2 or 3pm.
Derek had once planned to retire at 50. He even bought a field as he hoped to ride horses in his retirement. He still has the field, but no horses in it. Somehow, there was just never a good time. His business, Price of Bath, was founded by his father and Derek began working in it aged ten. Competition from the Far East has demanded constant reinvention to stay afloat – and to keep on his staff, whom he sees as ‘extended family’. Many have been with him all their working life. His PA stayed until she was 93.