fran.padgham@lionelhitchen.com

Lionel, aged 87, decides to step down from the day to day business. He continues to attend senior management meetings.

Well situated in Brechen, near Frankfurt, F.E.P.A. GmbH and its founder, Frank Gutzeit, is appointed Distributor for Germany and Austria.

A second site is acquired in Andover, only 8 miles from Barton Stacey. This site provides warehousing as well as being home to central services such as Customer Services, Sales and Logistics.

KNS Trading Co. Ltd, managed by Mr S.Y. Lee is appointed as Distributor for South Korea. Mr Lee was later succeeded by his son, Ben Lee.

Thwaites Inc. is appointed as Agent for the US market. The owner, David Thwaites, is no stranger to the flavour industry having worked for Lionel Hitchen (Essential Oils) Limited as our very first production manager. David’s daughter Dianne Hustus enters the family business and subsequently works for Lionel Hitchen USA, founded in 2007.

Didier Braillon, with many years experience of the flavour industry is appointed as Distributor for France and Belgium. Didier’s legacy continues today with his son Jean-Luc Braillon, owner of Braillon MPA.

Abbra Corporation Ltd, a successful, privately owned business based in Bangkok, was appointed as our Distributor for Thailand soon after their very first meeting with Alastair and Peter Hitchen in Winchester.

Robert Importers, based in Auckland, is appointed as Distributor for New Zealand, following a personal recommendation by Peter Cooke of neighbouring Cooke Aromatics. Upon retirement in 2008, the business is sold to Hawkins Watts Limited, another family owned business, who remain as our Distributor to the present day.

Cooke Aromatics, owned by Peter Cooke who had previously worked for several major flavour companies including Bush Boake Allen is appointed as Distributor for Australia. On Peter’s retirement in 2007, the business was taken over by Ingredientbox Pty Ltd. In 2015, Hawkins Watts Australia Pty Ltd. is appointed as a Distributor, following Lionel Hitchen’s success with

During the previous 10 years,  manufacturing had gradually been moved from Mitcham to Barton Stacey as the new site was developed.