UK’s James Heal celebrates 150 years with week-long event

A year of celebration continued at James Heal last week as a series of events were held to mark their 150^th anniversary, with the attendance of sales partners from almost every continent making it an international occasion. Halifax-based James Heal designs and manufactures textile testing instruments, which are sold directly from the UK, Germany and US.

The brand 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 (SCPs) began arriving early in the week along with staff from their German and US offices, visiting the factory to meet the team, see the textile testing instruments and test materials being manufactured, and to undergo training from James Heal’s technical specialists.

A year of celebration continued at James Heal last week as a series of events were held to mark their 150th anniversary, with the attendance of sales partners from almost every continent making it an international occasion. Halifax-based James Heal designs and manufactures textile testing instruments, which are sold directly from the UK, Germany and US.

The visitors participated in a full day conference at Cedar Court Hotel in Huddersfield, where two new James Heal instruments AirPro and HydroView were demonstrated for testing air permeability and hydrostatic head, plus sessions on new and existing product development took place, James Heal said in a press release.

The week culminated in a party attended by members of staff, partners, customers and representatives of industry associations held fittingly at a former woollen mill in Barkisland. After dinner, PPT Group UK MD Neil Pryke gave a thought- provoking speech linking the 150 year history of James Heal with significant world events and inventions such as the lightbulb and telephone, both of which used textiles in their construction, coming after the company was established, alongside industry advances such as the invention of Lycra, and ending with the future possibilities presented by smart textiles.

Concluding the more formal part of the evening, six members of staff including Neil were recognised for their long service, all having worked at James Heal for over 25 years, between them totalling 150 years. Four other awards were presented to members of staff voted for by their peers for; character, leadership, being a values champion and an unsung hero.

“It has been 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 said.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)