Derek A Knibbs

A WELL RESPECTED SENIOR MANAGER/DIRECTOR AT RANK XEROX MITCHELDEAN PLANT

Derek Knibbs joined Rank Xerox in March 1973 as Industrial Relations Officer. Rank Xerox, Mitcheldean Plant, had grown rapidly in the early 1970s and continued to grow with new models being developed by local
Design and Manufacturing Engineering, in conjunction with Xerox Design Teams in Rochester and Webster, New York.

He had previously worked in the car industry through some very difficult years. This experience proved to be very useful during the rapid growth period at the Mitcheldean and he was soon promoted to Industrial
Relations Manager, later Personnel Manager. In this role he was responsible for Recruitment, Training, Health and Safety, Site Security as well as Industrial Relations.

Derek was very professional, honest and very well respected by both the Trade Unions, Rank Xerox’s Senior Managers and European Manufacturing Directors. He ensured all his staff acted with the same professionalism and were well trained and competent. Derek was an excellent Management Coach for many of the younger staff who worked for him.

In 1982/83 Xerox made the decision that the Mitcheldean Plant would no longer be a full manufacturing plant but switch to assembly of copiers designed by Fuji Xerox from whom all parts for the copiers would be
purchased. This had huge implications and led to many of the manufacturing and design operations closing down. This resulted in significant redundancy between the period of 1982 and 1985. During this period the workforce shrunk from 4800 to around 2000 people. Derek was key to ensuring this process of reducing the workforce was managed professionally and as sympathetically as possible. A number of people were helped with training and retraining plus support to set up their own businesses during this time.

Of course, as a result of moving to assembly only operations far less space was required. Derek, at this time, late 1984, was asked by Xerox to become Managing Director of Mitcheldean Enterprise Workshops (MEWS) and rent out buildings previously occupied by Rank Xerox to Medium and Small Enterprises (SME). He researched the best way of doing this and many of the old Brewery Buildings became attractive to local businesses and employees who were redundant who wished to setup their own businesses.

This was such a success that HRH The Duke of Kent was invited to open the MEWS on the 2 nd May 1985 and many local dignitaries attended this prestigious event. Derek’s work continued apace because the large office buildings previously occupied by Engineering, Material and Office Staff needed new occupants. Area Power Limited, Ash Technology, GICO Technologies, Trident Life Assurance and Farm Plan were early occupants soon filling many of the buildings.

On the 11 th July 1986 the Rank Xerox Business Park was opened by Lord Young, a Senior Government Minister. He was accompanied by Directors of Rank Xerox Manufacturing and Vice Presidents from Xerox Design and Manufacturing as well as many local dignitaries.

This had not only been a huge success but had provided much needed employment to local people following the redundancies of previous years. Derek continued to develop and grow interest in the Business Park which is still very much thriving in Mitcheldean to-day (2025) and is a significant legacy to his hard work.

As a result of his significant contribution to Manufacturing Derek was awarded the MBE in the New Year’s Honours List 1989 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.