A trailer manufacturer is celebrating two milestones at its Deeside factory.

Ifor Williams Trailers (IWT) is marking the 20th anniversary of the factory and reaching the production of 200,000 trailers.

In celebration, the company gave food and drink hampers to six staff members who started when the factory first opened in 2004.

Among these was production operative Gary Mason, the site's first employee.

The factory, located at the Deeside Industrial Park, was opened by IWT in 2004 to increase production capacity.

The site was the first to manufacture the company's popular MK2 horsebox four years after opening.

Now, IWT employs over 650 people and has additional sites in Corwen and Cynwyd in Denbighshire as well as Sandycroft and Sealand in Flintshire.

Their product range includes livestock trailers, flatbeds, tippers, car transporters, box vans, catering units, mobile business trailers, and medical clinics.

These are sold through a network of over 100 distributors across the UK, Europe, and as far as Australia and New Zealand.

Gary Mason has been working at the company since 2004 (Image: Rick Matthews) Mr Mason, 61, who joined IWT Deeside in search of a more secure job following a career in agriculture, said: "It’s been good working here, the staff are good.

"I was well aware of the trailers the company produced before I joined and over the years at this site, I have probably touched every single one that’s gone out the door.

"It’s been a pleasure working here, I enjoy coming to work."

Andy Witton, 42, from Ewloe, joined the firm in July 2004.

He said: "The people who work here are a fantastic bunch.

"There is a terrific team spirit and we all socialise together away from work, such as going to Christmas parties.

"It really makes a difference if you all get on well."

Alan White, 58, from Birkenhead, said: "It’s a busy place, it’s fast-paced, but it’s enjoyable.

"We do stuff together outside work and many of us have similar interests.

"There’s a real team spirit."

Steven Underhill, Andrew Witton, Andrew Garrett, Gary Mason, Alan White and Mark Henderson are celebrating their hard work (Image: Rick Matthews) Steve Underhill, 40, from Saltney, said: "There’s always a lot going on, and I have been involved in a few different projects, so that’s helped massively to keep things interesting.

"All the staff get on so well, we’re a good bunch, it’s a bit like a family."

Andy Garrett, 50, from Flint, said: "Security-wise it has been great for me and my family, so I owe them a lot.

"And the lads are good fun, there’s great teamwork.

"So it’s just a thank-you from me, to the company, to my colleagues, for all their support."

Forklift truck driver Mark Henderson, 62, from the Wirral, said: "Looking back, it doesn’t feel like 20 years.

"When you go somewhere abroad you see one of our trailers, and you’re thinking 'I helped build that one.'"

Site production manager Rhys Davies praised the six long-serving workers and all staff who have contributed to the IWT Deeside success story.

Long service employees Alan White, Andrew Witton,  Andrew Garrett, Mark Henderson, Steven Underhill and Gary Mason and staff celebrating 20 years (Image: Rick Matthews) He said: "The success of the Deeside site is a demonstration of the growth of the business and the part it has played in the company’s story over the last 65 years.

"All the workers being celebrated today have played a key part in that story.

"I am in my 22nd year as well, so that shows we can provide our staff a job for life, and it is a career path for many as well.

"The Deeside site has most definitely been crucial to the growth of the business.

"We are all very proud of the success of the site and everybody gets to play a part in it."