AN ENTREPRENEUR and founder of an international company which employs about 1,000 staff has died aged 83.
John Guest MBE, died unexpectedly on July 10.
In 1961 Mr Guest formed his first company, in Horton Road, West Drayton, specialising in precision engineering and tool making.
In 1974 he invented the first Speedfit push-in fitting, and under his guidance the company grew, supplying approximately 3,500 different varieties of fittings, tube and other fluid control products to a wide range of markets including automotive, heating and telecommunications.
The company is still based in Horton Road and has received the Queen's Award for Enterprise on four occasions.
It employs about 1,000 people in Yiewsley and Maidenhead, and on three other sites across the UK.
Another 200 work in sales and distribution companies around the world.
Mr Guest was proud to have received an MBE for services to industry in 1982 and in 1995 an honorary Masters degree from Brunel University, in Uxbridge.
Very much a champion of British industry, Mr Guest's philosophy was always to design and manufacture products of the highest quality. His sons, Robert, Barry and Tim, and grandsons, Tristan and James, all work in the business.
