Friday, December 21, 2012

Happy Christmas to all our friends

The card above is believed to be one of the first mass-produced Christmas cards - dating back more than 160 years - and can be found among the extensive special collections of Bridwell Library at Southern Methodist University's Perkins School of Theology.
The lithographed card caused a controversy in some quarters of Victorian English society when it was published in 1843 because it prominently features a child taking a sip from a glass of wine. Approximately 1,000 copies of the card were printed but only 10 have survived to modern times. Bridwell Library acquired its copy in 1982. The card was designed for Henry Cole by his friend, the English painter John Calcott Horsley (1808-1882). Cole wanted a ready-to-mail greeting card because he was too busy to engage in the normal custom of writing notes with Christmas and New Year's greetings to friends and family.
The card pre-dated color printing so it was hand-colored. The card is divided into three panels with the center panel depicting a family drinking wine at a celebration and the flanking panels illustrating charitable acts of feeding and clothing the poor.
Cole, who also wrote and published Christmas books, printed more cards than he needed so he sold the extra cards for one shilling each.
Widespread commercial printing of Christmas cards began in the 1860s, when a new process of color printing lowered the manufacturing cost and the price. Consequently, the custom of sending printed Christmas greetings spread throughout England.
Now we can just stick them on the internet… have a good Christmas and best wishes for the New Year from everyone at Ferno.
Ferno will be closed from December 24  and will reopen on January 2.
In exceptional circumstances of needing any assistance from Ferno during the above period, please call Lee on 07730 913040.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Well done Victoria!

It’s always nice to be appreciated! Particularly, when that appreciation is coming from Leicestershire Search & Rescue who we work closely with. I received this email above from their Vice Chairman Andy Spry in which he praised Ferno and gave special thanks to our star colleague Victoria Woodford.
We all know that Victoria is a grafter and dedicated to looking after our customers but it’s still nice when a customer expresses it in such kind terms.
                                                                                                          Jon Ellis

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Big welcome to Tim Schroeder

Jon Ellis & Tim Schroeder
We were delighted to welcome Tim Schroeder, Director of Global Product Management at Ferno Washington, to Cleckheaton and show him around our UK operation yesterday. Tim has been on an extensive trip over the last couple of weeks in Europe and took the opportunity to discuss some new product opportunities for 2013. So watch this space!
We wish Tim a safe journey back home to the USA.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

40 years on: Congratulations to Gary Hiles

Ferno (UK) congratulate Gary Hiles, Vice President of Ferno International and also a Board Director of the UK Operation, on reaching his 40 year service achievement with Ferno Group. Managing director Jon Ellis says this must be worthy of Gary passing his probationary period with the organisation!
Well done Gary and thanks for all your support over the years, we look forward to working with you in the many years to come...

Monday, December 10, 2012

Up 'ere from Down Under


Left to right: Alan Clark, Operations Director, Jon Ellis, MD and Scott West
A big welcome to Scott West, Managing Director from Ferno Australia, who visited Ferno’s UK headquarters today. Scott has been over in Ireland and the UK for over a week now – so we were delighted he could drop in to see our operation on his return leg back to Australia. Have a safe but long flight home Scott.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Sharon Barraclough R.I.P.

Ferno Group would like to express their heartfelt condolences to Ian and family on the sad news of Sharon Barraclough who passed away on the Wednesday, December 4.
Sharon’s career with Ferno (UK) Limited spanned from 1989 to 2010 with more than 20 years service including various roles within the organisation but mainly in Supply Chain. Her commitment and contribution to Ferno over the years ensured continued success of the business and supplier relationships which she took great pride in.
Sharon will be sadly missed by all her friends at Ferno.