Lathams Purfleet legend Barry Jarvis retires

24 June 2022


On August 31 this year, Lathams bids a fond farewell to Barry Jarvis, redwood warehouse supervisor at its Purfleet depot.

A timber man through-and-through and a Lathams institution, Mr Jarvis has been with the business for over half a century, starting at the Clapton depot in 1970 aged just 17.

For 52 years his infectious enthusiasm, passion for timber and hard work have been an inspiration to his Lathams colleagues, as well as his commitment to supporting and mentoring the next generation of “Timber-vangelists”.

Never seen without his trademark pair of shorts (which it’s rumoured he wears 365 days a year!) and trusty tape measure, Mr Jarvis currently runs the warehouse’s European redwood timber section as a selector, product mentor and measuring trainer.

“My time at Lathams has been exciting and full of variety,” he said. “Starting on the barges taking deliveries of timber, things were very different back then! Working in the timber industry has been my one and only job and it’s been an interesting and enjoyable one. Lathams has given me many opportunities to grow in the business and, while I’m looking forward to my retirement, I will miss being part of the Purfleet team.”

When he finally hands his tape measure in at the end of August, he will be greatly missed by everyone at Purfleet and the wider Lathams business.

Barry Jarvis, who retires in August after working for Lathams for 52 years