James Heal is celebrating its 150^th anniversary this year, and has just held a week of events to mark the milestone, attended by sales partners from almost every continent.

Established in 1872, the Halifax, UK-headquartered company designs and manufactures textile testing instruments which are sold directly from the UK, Germany and USA, and through sales channel partners around the world. James Heal became part of the wider PPT Group in 2014, with sister brands each focusing on testing many aspects of materials and products.

Sales channel partners and staff from the German and US offices came to Halifax to visit the factory, meet the team, test materials and undergo training from James Heal’s technical specialists.

The visitors participated in a full day conference where two new James Heal instruments – AirPro and HydroView – were demonstrated, for testing air permeability and hydrostatic head respectively, with additional sessions on new and existing products taking place.

The week culminated in a party attended by members of staff, partners, customers and representatives of industry associations, held fittingly at The Venue at Bowers Mill – a former woollen mill.

PPT Group UK MD, Neil Pryke made a thought-provoking speech linking the 150-year history of James Heal with significant inventions such as the lightbulb and the telephone – both of which used textiles in their construction and came after the company was established. He comcluded by exploring the future possibilities presented by smart textiles.

Six members of staff, including Pryke, were recognised for their long service, all having worked at James Heal for over 25 years.

“It was a wonderful week of collaboration and further building relationships with our team and global partners, many of whom have been with us for decades, all joining together to celebrate the very special achievement and longevity of James Heal,” Pryke concluded.

www.JamesHeal.com