Gordon Poff (b. 1930)

Track 1: Gordon Poff describes his background, growing up in Rathfarnham, and his connections with the Palatine community. He joined Jacobs in 1953, beginning in the General Office under manager Ned Lee. He recalls the style in which business was conducted, which he describes as ‘old school’ and he remembers his move to the Internal Audit Department as a clerical worker in the engineering section. Track 2: The move to Tallaght, which took a total of seven years. The challenge of working between what he calls ‘the old mother house’ and the new factory, working in the Goods Inward section. Track 3: The skills of the predominately female workforce in decorating the biscuits with great speed and precision is recalled. The forewomen – Miss Patty Farrell, Miss Rice in charge of piecework and Miss Woodhead managing the floor are remembered. Track 4: Memories of Gordon’s years in engineering, where his responsibilities included stock control, and recalls the introduction of the tabulator and the card index room. Track 5: Gordon remembers the Jacobs management team at the time, Mr Edward and Mr William Bewley, and later Mr Jonathan Bewley. He describes the final years of his career at Jacobs, working in materials management.