Joyce's Column: July

As always, the Park Avenue Open Day last month was a day to be remembered and a day that should be included in your diary annually. The amount of preparation and hard work that goes into making this day the success it is year in year out must be phenomenal, and we should take our hats off to both Electrocoin and UDC and say ‘well done and thanks’ also we should thank the sponsors that sponsor the day in the various ways.

Despite the fact that the weather had been somewhat ‘iffy’ before the Open Day but true to form the sunshine returned for the day. Over the many years that this event has taken place, I think we have experienced very few wet days, even in the old days when there were many more companies on Park Avenue that took part in the event.

One of the major highlights of the day is the Greek barbecue which is always delicious and nicely and pleasantly served by Electrocoin’s Teresa and Christina, and I think we all enjoy the glass of champagne on arrival. The day is a social one but there is also business transacted and in a nice easy environment.

Mentioning the Greek barbecue GeWeTe’s Robert Clark lost his place of honour this year he was number four in the queue instead of number one! Slipping up Robert! But he still managed to get all the food he wanted and of course he enjoyed it.

Aspired’s Chris Widdowson and his son Riley were at the Open Day and Riley has joined the company working in numerous departments, but hoping to end up in the sales department like is father. Good luck Riley and I have no doubts you will achieve your goal.

A few regular faces were missing this year amongst them David Morosoli and his wife Sara who were away in Paris for their wedding anniversary with a special lunch at the Michelin starred Train Bleu restaurant in the Gare Du Nord district, yes, I can fully understand how Paris won!

HC Terminals Bob Hepworth preferred the Majorcan sun to the Open Day, again one can’t really blame him, a glass of Rioja facing the sea in Majorca probably beats an industrial lookout in London.

John Marriott of Sterling Amusement was also a non-show, but he was not enjoying himself elsewhere, he was ill and spent a few days in bed, hope you are fighting fit again now John and you will be there next year.

The photo shows Electrocoin’s Neil Dawson struggling to open a bottle of Rioja wine for me as I didn’t want it served cold, I am more traditional and like it room temperature. Neil did manage to open it eventually after he beat the cork and I have to say Neil the wine was lovely, and many thanks for your efforts.

Many thanks also go to GeWeTe’s Robert Clark for escorting me and being my porter with my luggage to Hangar Lane tube station and to Cosmic Games   Martin Austin for his help down the steps with the luggage and for taking care of me on the tube. Gosh just where would I be but for two kind boys like you?

I know that Steph mentioned the new warehouse that Innovative Technology opened recently but I wanted to give you a further insight into it. I was invited as a VIP together with a man called Ed Stacey who has long since been involved with ITL and David Bellis one way or another, in fact Ed designed the ITL logo, and it was an honour to be invited and classed as a VIP.

The afternoon set off with David welcoming both Ed and myself and a general small speech where he thanked Dayna Patterson and TJ for all their hard work  they had put into the day this was followed by a video compiled by Sarah Bellwood and this showed different products manufactured by ITL and their branches globally with Oldham being the Head Office together with branches in USA, China, Spain, Germany and Brazil and Worldwide they employ approximately a workforce of 450 employees with the most being at Oldham.

The new warehouse was a must for them as they had run out of storage space, and today they are manufacturing larger products than they used to so storage is of utmost importance, plus they like other companies experience problems with the closure of the Suez Canal making journeys s longer and also adding extra tariffs. It took 8/10 months of disruption whilst the new warehouse was being constructed but as David said ‘This was in the name of progress,’ the new warehouse is 860sq metres in size and houses 1248 pallets, the old one housed 627 pallets so nearly double the capacity. There is a warehouse map which is touchscreen and not only can you see the pallet you want but it also enables you to see inside the pallet, and the system is protected by a beam, so excuse the pun when I say this is very innovative!!

I mentioned their workforce of which many are long stayers at ITL but not only do ITL employ them and treat them as a family they also provide such good facilities for them including 2 gyms, kit car garage and pool tables plus take them away on visits abroad, no wonder they stay at ITL as there are not many companies offering such facilities as these and in a nice working environment too.

Dayna Patterson who has been at ITL Many years asked David what was the next project and he hinted that it might be a factory refurbishment next and knowing David as I do, I am sure he will have the next project well and truly in his mind. I would like to thank all at ITL for making it a memorable day for me and one for that was a pleasure for me to attend. The photos show  David and Ed in chatting mood together, racks  in new warehouse and beam on floor and size of new warehouse from outside.

Returning to Electrocoin, Christina Stergides celebrated her half century this month, yes, our Christina was 50, hope you celebrated in true style, which I am sure you did knowing you. Congratulations and here’s to the next 50.

Now something not so happy to report from Electrocoin, Teresa Nicholson (nee Arnedo) who has been a lynchpin for many years with the company suffered a serious car accident recently. Teresa was just leaving a campsite and realised after setting off she had no brakes, she saw some trees in a field with a gap between them so she headed for this, as she didn’t want to cause injury to anyone directly in her path, and she managed to get through the gap eventually stopping the car but not before injuring herself. She was taken to a hospital in Watford but then blue lighted to St Marys in London to the trauma unit due to her injuries including 5 broken ribs, broken thumb, badly bruised and nerve damage to right leg, small brain bleed, fracture to her spine and a chipped tooth, talk about not doing things by half!! Teresa is back home now recovering and says she is OK which is great to hear, and I am sure that everyone in the industry sends their best wishes to you and are looking forward to seeing you back in full swing.

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31 July 2025

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