Doug Barlow, founder and owner of DGB Refrigeration, has sadly passed away on 14th June 2016 after a year-long brave battle against pancreatic cancer. His son Gary Barlow will continue to keep the good work of DGB Refrigeration ongoing.
Doug worked in the vending industry for over 40 years. Joining Blackburn & Starling in 1979, he was manager of the refrigeration department until 1994 when he took the opportunity to purchase that side of the business from the current owner. As a result of his hard work, experience, expertise and reputation for quality, from humble beginnings DGB experienced a rapid rate of growth. Its customer base has grown from year to year, and now includes over 70 vending companies including manufacturers, multinational suppliers, regional suppliers and one man bands all receiving the same level high quality service – something he was very proud of.
Doug was a very proud family man, which runs very much through the company; his sister, brothers in law, son, daughter, daughter in law and grandson have all either worked or still work for DGB. His honest, fair, approachable, down to earth nature and great sense of humour reflects very much on DGB’s staff turnover. Most have been with the company for over ten years – some from the beginning – making the news of his passing even harder for the staff to come to terms with. On many occasions Doug would describe DGB’s past and present work force as family, and that’s how he treated most people.
Doug was a very keen sports fan; he loved following Nottingham Forest and had done so for the past 50 years. He also had the pleasure of signing an amateur contract for them in 1957, and played three games before being called up to do his national service where his football career was cut short – playing for the RAF he ruptured his cruciate knee ligaments.
Doug leaves behind wife Jan; three children, Gary, Lisa and Craig; son in law Paul; daughters in law Wendy and Juliette; and six grandchildren, Laura, George, Ashleigh, Freya, Isabelle and Charlie.
Doug was one of life’s true gentlemen who will be greatly missed.
