Our people

Malcolm, the third generation of Pentony to work for AVA, joined the business in 1975, newly graduated from The Rubber and Plastics Institute (now known as the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Minings.) Malc has shaped the business into what it is today – one of the world’s leading specialists in anti-vibration products and rubber molding. We pride ourselves on our customer relationships, and most of these are thanks to Malcolm’s hard work and dedication over the years. If he ever agrees to taking a bit of time off you might find him perfecting his swing on the golf course, though we couldn’t guarantee you’d find him on the correct fairway for the hole he is playing on!

Sean is a trained mechanic and worked for BMW for seven years before he decided to join the family business in 2010. He has spent the last decade learning all things AVA from his father and long-staying colleagues, working in every corner of the business. He’s a jack of all trades; dealing with client projects, helping out with production and keeping our machinery going – all day everyday. On the weekends, he’s making homemade pizza, chasing his two toddler boys around or clocking up the miles running across Surrey and Hampshire, whatever the weather.

When Aimee joined us in 2011 we didn’t quite realise what an asset she’d be to us. You might think a finance manager is desk-based, but no – not Aimee. If you happen to call the office it is Aimee that is likely to answer the phone. She will also be making sure that all the correct materials are stocked so that we can complete your orders. Then, when your parts are made she is the person packing and shipping them to you. When she isn’t doing all of these things, you will find her tending to the company accounts and payroll (phew!). Outside of work she is likely to be found walking Herbert the Corgi across some of the beautiful countryside surrounding Farnham and Alton.   

Nicky is our longstanding mistress of trimming. Nearly all of our products are prepared, finished and inspected under her watchful eye, assuring our quality is 100% perfect. She knows our product line inside out and anything below standard won’t get past her. She makes up one half of the trimming team, and one half of the Bacon Wednesday Committee – making sure that the ‘Breakfast bap Wednesday’ rota is strictly adhered to.

Our business is a family one. Therefore it should be no surprise that the other half of the trimming team is Suzie – Nicky’s sister, and they make up the ‘Dream Team’. What this means is that there is never silence on the trimming floor. Whilst the quality of our parts is of utmost importance, fun and laughter is a close second and Suzie makes sure it is available in abundance. Though she obviously takes her ‘Bacon bap Wednesday’ cooking role very seriously, swapping up fried eggs for boiled eggs, always keeping us on our toes.

Andy has been our metals and stores man for a long time. He helps make sure that our production line runs smoothly by preparing all of our metal parts for manufacture, which means they are tested, blasted, sprayed and stocked. A keen Star Wars fan, Andy is undoubtedly a key member of the (work) Force….. Get it?

Des is in charge of rubber preparation. Every order we receive is manufactured using a specific rubber compound, cut to a specific weight. This is different for every single mount we produce. It’s hugely important to make sure our rubber weights are correct; if they aren’t we might as well not be in this business – but this doesn’t faze Des. Our materials have to be perfect in order to achieve the quality products we pride our reputation on.

Dave is one of the longest standing members of staff behind Malcolm. Another employee with a great knowledge on all of our products, both current catalogue and previous special projects, he is a valuable member of the team when it comes to making sure our moulds are running as they should.

Gary is one half of the workshop team – the team that puts our parts together. Another AVA employee with a wealth of knowledge on our products, he helps make sure the manufacturing process goes smoothly, from loading and unloading our precision tooling to making sure the decks are clean.