The founder of D. A. Oldfield. Ltd has passed away.
Donald Anthony Oldfield, 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on May 27 at his home in Elvington, York, UK after facing a battle with bowel cancer with his trademark determination.
Don began his career in 1955 as a 15-year-old apprentice engineer at Sheppee Ltd on James Street, a company which specialises in high-speed glass container machinery.
Following his four-year apprenticeship, Don quickly advanced from the machine shop floor to the drawing office, where he excelled as a highly competent draftsman.
He applied his design skills to solving complex glasswork production issues; remarkably, many of his original drawings are still in use today, bearing his initials 'Drawn by DAO' in the title block.
As the industry transitioned from mechanical controls to computer automation, Don’s skills were in high demand. Rising to sales and technical manager, his expertise took him around the globe, generating strong international sales for the York-built machinery.
His travels began with a 1974 trip to Brazil, followed by ventures into America, Africa, and his beloved Far East.
Don held a second-dan black belt in judo from the Old Priory in York, which fuelled a lifelong passion for Far Eastern culture and food—and it was no surprise that he secured more sales there than anywhere else in the world.
His stellar reputation paved the way to a seat on the board as Technical Director, and by 1985, he was appointed Joint Managing Director.
In its heyday, Sheppee employed nearly 150 local people, boasted a turnover of £3–5 million, and maintained a network of global agents as an industry leader.
Don never forgot the value of his early training. He oversaw the graduation of three apprentices a year into the Sheppee workforce, while sponsoring three new recruits through their first year of off-the-job training at Vickers Instruments.
When Vickers closed — threatening the loss of the training centre — Don took action.
Working with York Council and mobilising other major local employers like Bootham Engineers, Terry’s, Rowntree’s, and Adams Hydraulics, he helped establish a new training hub.
The group secured a building in Malton and donated machinery to furnish the workshops.
Today, this legacy lives on as the Derwent Training facility, which continues to launch apprentice careers in the region.
When a severe UK recession struck in 1992, Sheppee was forced into receivership despite a healthy order book. For the first time in his life, Don was out of work.
Undeterred, he co-founded Mechtronics in Melbourne near York, alongside the owner of Sheppee, to service existing glass industry orders and protect the company's assets from liquidation.
Building on this success, Don took a bold step in 1994, to purchase the working stock and intellectual property rights to manufacture glass industry components under his own banner: D A Oldfield Ltd in Dunnington, York.
As the business expanded, it relocated to its current home at the top of the Green in Elvington.
Don ran the company on a smaller scale but with the same dedication as Sheppee, serving as Managing Director alongside his son, Garry, Operations Director.
Always adapting, Don taught himself computer-aided design (CAD) and continued making biannual technical sales trips to the Philippines until the onset of the pandemic.
When UK firm IS Maintenance entered receivership, Don was heavily involved in purchasing its intellectual property, successfully bolstering and integrating its products into modern DAO offerings.
Reflecting his lifelong commitment to development, the business has grown to employ up to eight staff members over the years, and has proudly trained three apprentices, two of whom were launched into the industry through Derwent Training.
Don’s enduring connection to the college meant he was invited back as a guest of honour to present awards to the next generation of exceptional apprentices.
Don was a calm, quiet speaking gentleman, with a vast unrivalled knowledge of the glass industry over the last 70 years of innovations.
He had glass work contacts from all around the world who became his friends. His enthusiasm for the industry was infectious.
With a career spanning an extraordinary 71 years, Don worked right up until his final days. D A Oldfield Ltd will continue his legacy in the global glass industry, remaining a proud family business led by his son, Garry Oldfield.
Don’s funeral will take place at Octon Crematorium on July 1 at 12:30 pm.
The Oldfield family has requested that donations in his memory be made to St Leonard’s Hospice, York. Flowers and donations may be sent care of J. Rymer Funeral Directors.
Pictured below: Mr Oldfield at his desk at Sheppee, aged approximately 40.
