2025 Edition
TOOLING TABLOID
Vale Jim, the End of an Era Sadly 2025 was the end of an era with Jim Sutton’s passing. Jim was the last of his generation who worked in the business. Like his brother Bill, Jim was born into the cutting tool business without much say in the matter. A lot can and has been said of his contribution to the business and the industry in general. He was respected around the world as a result of a life long passion for Sutton Tools and cutting tool manufacture. Jim was instrumental in laying out the foundations of the business we see, with many of the core technologies and processes we use today that keep us at the forefront of the industry being those introduced by Jim. He was a strong and supportive mentor for Peter and I and we owe him a great debt for passing on his knowledge, experience and wisdom. To those that knew him, Jim was a kind, thoughtful and deeply humorous man with an inquiring mind and a wide range of interests. Well-travelled and read, he enjoyed life and continued to be active travelling, playing golf, skiing and tennis. However, most activities in his life took a distant second place to his first love... Sutton Tools!
He was delighted to be able to visit the plant for the last time this year and left with a sense of satisfaction seeing the culmination of a lifetime’s work. Even at the end he still wanted to know the sales numbers. He leaves a remarkable legacy in particular with 6 grandchildren all with whom he had a close and caring relationship. He is greatly missed by us all and we thank all of you for your kindness and condolences over this period. In particular he would have been very honoured and touched by his farewell around the Thomastown site. On behalf of Viki, Hamish, Georgina and the family we thank you and wish you the best of the holiday season and new year.
Robert Sutton Director
INSIDE 2 PETER SUTTON 3 HUMAN RESOURCES 3 FINANCE 4 IT & SALESFORCE 4 DISTRIBUTION 6 MARKETING 7 HIGH PERFORMANCE 8 EXPORT 8 SUTTON EUROPE 9 SUTTON UK & IRELAND 10 SUTTON NZ 10 TRADE TOOLS NZ 11 NZ MANUFACTURING 12 MANUFACTURING 12 ENGINEERING 13 WAREHOUSE & LOGISTICS 14 CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE 14 SURFACE TECHNOLOGY 15 MARYBOROUGH PLANT 15 PRODUCTION ENGINEERING & SERVICE DEPARTMENT 16 CARBITOOL 16 SERVICE AWARDS PRINTED ON 100% RECYCLED PAPER