Vent-Axia buried a time capsule in its grounds to mark the company’s 80th Anniversary.
On Friday 9 September 2016, Vent-Axia celebrated its 80th anniversary at its headquarters in Fleming Way, Crawley, West Sussex. To honour the occasion Henry Smith MP for Crawley and The Worshipful, the Mayor of Crawley, Councillor Raj Sharma, took part in a celebration ceremony where the company buried a time capsule in its grounds to mark its 80th Anniversary.
Guests toured the Crawley facilities seeing some of the latest fans manufactured on the production lines. This was followed by words from Vent-Axia’s Managing Director, Mark Hoskins, Henry Smith MP and 91-year-old ex-employee Edna Barnett. Edna worked with the company from 1943 to her retirement in 1985 and delighted guests with anecdotes from her early days working with founder Joe Akester at Vent-Axia, as well as the exciting day she opened the envelope that contained a cheque to Vent-Axia from Winston Churchill.
“We are delighted to be celebrating our 80th Anniversary at Vent-Axia,” said Managing Director Mark Hoskins. “From the very beginning, with Joe Akester’s invention of the world’s first electrically-operated window fan, Vent-Axia has been a company built on innovation. We have continued this ethos over the years, developing, expanding and innovating to create the very best in ventilation. This is a tradition that we are very proud to continue today with the launch of our latest best in class products, as we look forward to the next 80 years ahead.”
“From the very beginning, with Joe Akester’s invention of the world’s first electrically-operated window fan, Vent-Axia has been a company built on innovation.”
The focal point of the 80th Anniversary celebration was the burial of a metal time capsule, by the Mayor of Crawley, Councillor Raj Sharma and Henry Smith MP, outside the Vent-Axia reception. The time capsule is to be buried for 80 years and contains items that reflect the business today, such as its innovative Lo-Carbon Svara, the UK’s first App-controlled bathroom fan and photos of the Vent-Axia team; plus objects that reflect the current time we live in, such as the current issues of local papers, a pound coin and press coverage on Brexit.
Henry Smith MP added: “I am thrilled that Vent-Axia, an innovative, locally based, world-class company, is celebrating its 80th Anniversary. I am proud that this iconic and historic business continues to manufacturer in Crawley and wish the company continued success over the next 80 years and beyond.”
