After more than four decades of outstanding service, all of us at Penmann are saying a fond farewell to our friend and colleague John Kirwin, who has officially retired from his role in sales after 44 incredible years on the road.
John has been more than just a Sales Engineer. He’s been a trusted advisor, a champion of Penmann’s values, and a passionate advocate for our customers across the UK food and manufacturing sectors. His deep knowledge, warm personality, and unwavering professionalism have helped shape the reputation of Penmann over the years, and his presence will be sorely missed by all of us – and many of our clients too.
A Career Defined by Relationships and Results
John’s final day on the road took him back to one of his earliest customers – Müller Dairy in Market Drayton – a fitting close to a career that has been defined by long-standing relationships, mutual respect, and shared success. In his own words, it was his very first customer visit some 28 years ago, and closing the loop by visiting again on his final day speaks volumes about the trust and loyalty he inspired. Adding even more symmetry to the occasion, John also received news that Penmann had secured a major project with KP Snacks – the same company that placed our first major order almost 50 years ago. A proud moment not just for John, but for the entire Penmann family.
John often reflects on the achievements of our business not as individual accomplishments, but as a collective effort. He speaks highly of his father Laurie and brother Damian, who together helped shape Penmann into the trusted, family-run business it is today – respected throughout the industry for delivering critical, complex, and innovative HVAC and process cooling solutions.
A Well-Earned Send-Off
To mark his retirement, the team gathered to present John with a bottle of his favourite malt whisky, an engraved glass and hip flask, and, in true Penmann humour, a tin of Spam – his favourite food! John was also presented with tickets to watch England Rugby play Argentina in November. The gifts were only a small token of our huge appreciation for everything John has contributed over the years.
His parting reflections say it all: “There is no ‘I’ in team.” John has always believed in the power of teamwork, and his gratitude to colleagues, customers, suppliers, and contractors shines through in every conversation. His humility and wisdom have helped guide not just projects, but people, and we’re all better for having worked alongside him.
Thank You, John
On behalf of everyone at Penmann – past and present – we want to say thank you. Thank you for your hard work, your loyalty, your honesty, and your relentless commitment to doing the right thing by our customers and our team. You’ve helped build something that truly matters, and your legacy will live on in the strong relationships and high standards you’ve helped create. We wish you nothing but the best as you enter what you’ve called “Phase 3 of life.” We’ll raise a glass of whisky (and maybe a forkful of Spam!) in your honour.
All the best, John – it really has been a blast.
