|
 Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited Aga in Telford, Shropshire on Friday, October 10th, and learned about the company's plans to use the very latest technology to ensure greener cookers and more sustainable fuel options.
An Aga owner herself, the Princess expressed particular interest in sustainable and renewable energy - specifically carbon-neutral wood-burning stoves, the company's more efficient range cookers and its new solar panel technology.
The Princess - who unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion - was welcomed by Algernon Heber-Percy, the county's Lord Lieutenant, William McGrath, chief executive of Aga-Rangemaster Group, and Gerald O'Brien, managing director of Aga.
She was introduced to directors of the company and eight-year-old Abigail, of Market Drayton, who presented her with a posy.
 Abigail - whose father, Darryl, works for Aga - said: "I was very nervous and excited. She was really lovely. It was like talking to someone I've known for a long time." The Princess then took a tour of the factory, being introduced to around 150 staff.
Welcoming the Princess, Aga managing director Gerald O'Brien said: "As an Aga owner yourself, ma'am, you will appreciate the benefits of owning the best cooker in the world. I hope today we've given you an insight into the quality, design, technology and craftsmanship that we build into our products. I'm sure that today as you've walked around our company you will have sensed the loyalty and commitment we have here at Aga. We even have three generations of a family working at the same time and an average length of service of more than 15 years. Genuine indicators that the workforce truly love Aga."
Princess Anne was then presented with an intricately designed Aga cast-iron dish and cookware to match her own pillar box red Aga. The presentation was made by Christine, Aga's longest-serving female employee, who has been with the company for 37 years.
The Princess said she was thrilled and added that she had mentioned only the other day that she didn't have a large enough casserole and so the gift was perfectly timed.
 William McGrath, chief executive of Aga's parent company, Aga-Rangemaster, provided The Princess with some background on the Aga headquarters and the nearby Coalbrookdale foundry.
He said: "Next year will mark 300 years since iron ore was first smelted by Abraham Darby at the historic Aga foundry in Coalbrookdale, triggering the Industrial Revolution. Then, as now, the world's finest cooking pots came from Coalbrookdale.
"Aga is part of a group with a great cooking tradition. The modern range cooker was invented by our business, Rangemaster, in the 1830s and we won a gold medal from Queen Victoria at the Great Exhibition in 1851."
Before leaving Aga in Station Road, Ketley, Telford, The Princess Royal added: "It's been a real pleasure visiting Aga, which is a company really setting standards for the future."
|
