Tributes paid to man who helped build family firm
INSPIRATION FOR YOUR PERFECT DAY
TRIBUTES have been paid this week to Jenkins Bakery director and company secretary David Jenkins, who died suddenly at the age of 66.
Mr Jenkins, who died on February 5, was a key pillar in the widely-admired family firm – a business established by his grandparents, David and Elizabeth, in 1921. It has several branches in South Wales, including in Bridgend and Porthcawl.
His brother Russell, operations director at the business, led the tributes and said: “David was immensely proud of what the Jenkins Bakery has achieved as a family business.
“He was very passionate about the business and always focussed on our mission of producing quality products and providing excellent customer service.
“As a family, we are, of course, in mourning for David, staff members are obviously very upset at the news, but they had great respect for David and know that his wishes would be very much for carrying on with business as usual.
“David was educated at Old Road Primary School and Llanelli Grammar School, before attending Southampton University.
“He qualified as a company secretary and worked for big names such as Grand Metropolitan, Whitbread and Slough Estates.
“He joined the business in 1990, at a time when the business had five shops based in Llanelli.
“Today, the business has 300 full and part-time employees and has 28 shops on an estate spanning south west Wales.
“He had been involved some years ago with the BAKO UK wholesale cooperative and was also a director of the National Association of Craft Bakers.
“David’s passion for making the Jenkins Bakery the success story it is today shone through in all his work and he leaves a great legacy in the shape of the family business today.”
Mr Jenkins was a member and president of Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir.
He enjoyed walking, travelling, music, spending time with the family and socialising.
The Jenkins Bakery staff will be respecting a two-minute silence in all shops in David’s memory at 1.30pm on the day of the funeral, Tuesday, February 27.
Llanelli MP Dame Nia Griffith also paid tribute and said: “It was with deep sorrow that I heard the very sad news of the sudden death of David Jenkins, and my very sincere condolences go to his family.
“As company secretary of the iconic family business Jenkins Bakery, he was a real pillar of our community, supporting our town centre and providing employment for some 300 employees in the factory in Trostre and in the 28 shops across south west Wales.
“In the best tradition of a very successful family business, Jenkins Bakery commands a very loyal workforce and has moved with the times, opening new stores and delighting customers with a whole range of high-quality products from the traditional to innovative, and this is due in no small part to David Jenkins and his immense dedication and hard work.”
She added: “I remember his tremendous enthusiasm as he talked about plans for the 100th anniversary of the firm which was founded in 1921, but I was also very touched by his personal concern and care for others. He will be very sorely missed.”
Llanelli Senedd Member Lee Waters said: “The Jenkins brand is inseparable from the identity of modern Llanelli, but it didn’t win its place in our affections by accident.
“David Jenkins played a central role building this much-loved local family business into what it is today.
“He was rightly proud at what he and his brother had created and the service it provided to its customers, its workers and to the wider area.”
Llanelli mayor Cllr Nick Pearce said: “I am deeply saddened by the news of the sudden and untimely passing of David Jenkins.
“He played a central role in an institution that is woven into the very fabric of Llanelli life.
“It is a tremendous loss to his family and the wider Jenkins team, my heartfelt condolences go to his loved ones at this difficult time.”
Wynford Harries, the last chairman of Côr Meibion Llanelli, said: “David was a great fan and supporter of Côr Meibion Llanelli and we are all shocked at his sudden passing.
“He had a passion for music and enjoyed singing with us at rehearsals and at some of our events. Our condolences go to David’s family and all at Jenkins Bakery.”
The funeral takes place at Llanelli Crematorium on Tuesday, February 27 at 1pm. Donations if so desired can be made to the RNLI, c/o Silcox Family Funerals, 83 New Road, Llanelli SA15 3DS.