NEWLY restructured water specialist company Panton McLeod is heading to New York after announcing its first partnership distribution deal in the United States.
The Newtown St Boswells engineering firm’s US division has signed an agreement with Massachusetts water services company Maher Services under which its Pantonite products will be used to clean water storage facilities, stripping towers and wells across New England.
The Pantonite products are similar to the cleaning materials that Panton McLeod provides to the UK water sector including Scottish Water and Severn Trent Water.
Jim W. Panton, the new chairman and chief executive of the Panton McLeod Group, said: “When we set up our US division, our mission was to bring these products into the American water industry and to show companies how good they are.
“Our vision is to see Pantonite become the standard product for cleaning water storage tanks, stripping towers, wells and other facilities across the whole of the country.
“We’re very pleased Maher Services has seen the potential of these products. The company is a very well respected and recognised water industry provider in the US, so to have them endorsing and supplying Pantonite as our official regional distribution partner is a real coup.
“We look forward to working with them to further establish the reputation of Pantonite and to grow our influence across America in the coming years.”
Robert Maher, from Maher Services, added: “The products are less hazardous for staff who disinfect and clean these facilities.
“They are just as effective as other products that use high levels of chlorine but are less irritating to the skin, so there is a real occupational health benefit from using them.
““We’re pleased to have agreed this deal with Panton McLeod Americas, which we hope will be the start of a long association between our two companies.”
Jim W. Panton has filled the shoes of his father, Jim R. Panton, the company founder who retired a year ago. The former Erskine and Poppy Scotland chief will be assisted by Iain Weir, now chief operating officer, and Paul Henderson, Panton McLeod’s new sales and marketing director. Sheelagh Briggs continues as finance and HR director.
Mr Weir said: “Having Jim taking the reins as full-time chairman is a major coup for Panton McLeod.
“He brings a great deal of business experience and acumen that will be invaluable in our growth strategy over the next few years. As head of Poppy Scotland, Jim was responsible for leading the re-branding and repositioning of the organisation so that it achieved a turnover of more than £4million a year.
“During his tenure with veterans’ charity Erskine, he oversaw 800 staff across five locations and helped the organisation achieve an overall turnover of £24million.”
Jim Senior, who had serviced the water industries in South Africa and the UK for more than 40 years before his retirement, set up the firm in at Newtown St Boswells in 1994.