John White & Son 300th Anniversary Dinner
Scotland's oldest family business has just cemented 300 years of history with a celebratory dinner and the launch of a fascinating commemorative booklet.
Now John White & Son of Auchtermuchty is looking to the future, using the latest innovative technology as a launch pad for the next three centuries of providing precision weighing solutions. Harnessing the wealth of expertise in Scotland, the firm will focus on growing the business both in the UK and internationally.
Headed by directors Edwin and Tio White, and Joyce Onuonga, the company started from tiny beginnings in 1715 when local blacksmith John White produced a particularly fine example of a 'Dutch-end' beam scale to a new design all the way from Germany.
Since then eight generations of the White family have worked tirelessly through times of war, peace, industrial revolution and immense technical change to meet the demands of their customers.
Through Daima Energy Solutions, a spin-off company led by Joyce, it now also supplies off- grid commercial and domestic solar energy systems through a base in East Africa - at the same time providing vital training and career opportunities for local installers.
The guest of honour at the anniversary dinner in Glenrothes was the Provost of Fife Jim Leishman, who toasted the firm's history and its vision for the future.
Managing director Edwin White said that he was immensely honoured to be leading the company at such an amazing milestone in its history.
"Assembled here are some of the people who have been responsible for bringing us to where we are today.
"They include my brother John White whose innovative designs enabled John White & Son to be one of the pioneers in electronic weighing. We also have staff from past and present, along with customers and friends."