News

Despite an un-retracted front landing gear on their Airbus A380 out of Manchester, and the subsequent “unscheduled” landing at Heathrow and extended layover in Dubai, Technical Director Mark Humphries and Sales Manager Stephen Whitehead had a succesful trip to China last week.

Stopping first in Shanghai, they met with our new partners to plan the supply of PennWhite’s foam control agents into China before attending a meeting in Hong Kong with our long established partners who oversee the supply of our silicone emulsions to the Chinese printing industry. Mark reports that both meeting were very positive and will help PennWhite extend its presence in the country.

It’s almost Christmas so we’ve bought our food-grade production team a great new present; A brand new 4000 litre mixing vessel! They weren’t as excited as we’d expected. Maybe we should have wrapped it?

The new vessel will be commisioned in the new year and will expand our capacity to manufacture our Foamdoctor food grade foam control agents as we head into 2017. PennWhite will be shut-down until Tuesday 3rd January 2017. Until then, we’d like to wish you a very happy Christmas and a successful 2017!

In 1984 Marjorie Campbell joined PennWhite. Today, over 32 years later she retired. And PennWhite will never be the same again.

Marj’s contribution to the business has been invaluable; in her finance role she has played a part in our acquisition of other companies, helped introduce IT to Pennwhite, looked after our tax issues, administered our payroll and much more. She has seen the 3-part carbon memo be replaced by email and dusty double entry ledgers replaced by internet banking and met each change with enthusiasm.

But her work has only been part of Marj’s story at PennWhite. She has been a friend, mentor and confidant to many of us for many years. Her calming presence, infectious laugh and extensive range of designer footwear will be dearly missed around the office.

I want to personally thank Marj for her dedication to our business, her friendship and her wisdom and join all her colleagues in wishing her a long and happy retirement alongside her husband David. You will be missed Marjorie.

John Whitehead, Managing Director.

At 40,000 ft on a flight back from a business trip to Malaysia, PennWhite’s Technical Director Mark Humphries found out that he and the Airbus A380’s First Officer had something in common; They were both trained to fly by Martin Handley of Tattenhill Aviation near Burton on Trent! After they landed Mark got to try out the co-pilot’s seat for size. It’s good to have friends in very high places.

Back in July PennWhite’s Office Systems Administrator Palina Meesala graduated from The Open University with a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics. A few weeks ago she collected her degree in a ceremony at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall. Congratulations!