FOUR generations of the same family have now worked at a Sale firm.

When Matthew Hobin clocked on at building subcontractor the Cadman Group, he was following in the footsteps of his dad, Steve, his granddad and great grandad.

Matthew Hobin, aged 15, has just completed his work experience in screeding and is looking forward to working with his dad Steve over the summer, and possibly a future in construction.

Steve, aged 42, has worked for Cadmans for many years, having started life in the building trade aged 15. He followed his dad and grandad, both called Laurence, who were screeding when Rodney Cadman, the previous head of the company, was heading the operation more than 50 years ago.

When the Arndale Centre in Manchester was being constructed, Steve, his dad and grandad all worked together on the screeding of the loading bay and shop units together.

Working on site with his dad, Matthew really enjoyed his week.

The amount of years the Hobins have clocked up in the industry means that each generation is able to offer the next family member years of insight and information.

Steve says there are lots of ‘old school’ tips that he intends to pass on to his son, along with the most current methods.

Steve, from Droylsden, said: “His Grandad would be looking down thinking ‘that’s our Steve all over again’, my dad had patience with me and I will have that for Matthew”.

Steve says he will be happy with whatever Matthew decides to do once he leaves school, but he is a natural at screeding and he’s excited by the possibility that Matthew may well decide to follow in the Hobin tradition, and become the fifth generation to be working in Manchester’s booming construction industry.

Richard Bedford, the managing director of the Cadman Group, said: “Steve brings a very high level of skill and commitment to the business and to imagine that we can have that continue through his son is a gift.

"Last year we celebrated 150 years of business and I hope that when we reach our next landmark birthday there will still be a Hobin working for us.”