It is with deep sadness that the staff of Technews Publishing heard of the death of our dear friend and much esteemed colleague, Andrew Ashton.
Jon (Andrew) Charles Ashton passed away on Thursday, 18 June 2015 following a five week fight with cancer.
Professional
Andrew’s integrity illuminated everything he did. He never accepted second-best from himself, on both personal and professional levels. His honesty shone through in his journalism and as an editor.
Personable
More than one colleague described Andrew as being 'a true gentleman'. But that wasn’t the only gentleness that we experienced. His genuine concern over the wellbeing of his colleagues and friends was a hallmark of our interaction with him. His smile was infectious and his humour was never at the expense of someone else.
Perspicacious
Andrew was one of the smartest people with whom we have had the privilege to work. He was highly intellectual with a remarkable understanding of extremely complex technical problems across a broad range of subjects.
His multiple technical and commercial qualifications combined with a drive to reach perfection in everything he did, made him an unparalleled technical writer that the industry will sorely miss.
Andrew, we will miss you for not only for what you did, but for who you were.
Andrew’s long association with Technews dates back to his student days when one of his lecturers was Ray Beaumont, the founder of Technews.
In 1990 he became a client of Technews whilst he was MD of Prolocon.
In 2004 he joined Technews full-time as the editor of two of Technews’ publications, SA Instrumentation & Control and Motion Control in Southern Africa.
In 2009 he left full-time employment with Technews but remained as consulting and contributing editor until his death.
Reinstatement opportunity for ECSA registration
News
In 2023 the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) announced a special opportunity for engineers in South Africa to reinstate their registration status if it had been cancelled. This exclusive offer is available until the end of August 2024.
Read more...Festo 100th Anniversary: Celebrating a century-long legacy of innovation and commitment
News
Festo has officially begun celebrating 100 years of groundbreaking technology, commitment and enduring partnerships. To kick off this historic milestone celebration, their Customer Innovation Day and ThankYou Party series brought together customers, partners and employees to reflect on their journey and look ahead to an
Read more...Bearings International fosters dynamic customer partnerships
News
Bearings International has consistently set the benchmarks in innovation and excellence as a leading distributor of bearings, power transmission and interconnected mechanical consumables that sustainably facilitate and optimise operations for mining and industrial customers across Southern Africa.
Read more...Africa’s industrial revolution accelerates
News
As Africa undergoes a rapid industrial transformation, AATF Connect 2025 emerges as the premier platform to showcase innovation, drive collaboration, and spark discussions that will shape the continent’s industrial future.
Read more...From the editor's desk: A good servant and a bad master Technews Publishing (SA Instrumentation & Control)
News
In our new AI-generated world it was inevitable that the Nobel Committee would have noticed. And last November two pioneers of artificial intelligence, John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton, won the Nobel Prize ...
Read more...Festo 100th Anniversary: Celebrating a century-long legacy of innovation and commitment Festo South Africa
News
Festo has officially begun celebrating 100 years of groundbreaking technology, commitment and enduring partnerships. To kick off this historic milestone celebration, their Customer Innovation Day and ThankYou Party series brought together customers, partners and employees to reflect on their journey and look ahead to an exciting future.
Read more...German Chancellor visits Beckhoff at Hannover Messe Beckhoff Automation
News
As part of the traditional Hannover Messe opening tour, Federal Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz visited German company, Beckhoff Automation. Hans Beckhoff, managing director and owner of Beckhoff Automation, presented his company and its comprehensive expertise in the field of software and AI.
Read more...Iritron celebrates 25 years of excellence Iritron
News
When Iritron, a leading provider of engineering and industrial solutions was founded in 2000, it was on the principles of exceptional service and lasting part-nerships. Today, Iritron has grown from a small team of four into a company of over 120 employees, serving clients across South Africa and beyond.
Read more...A racing partnership SKF South Africa
News
In one of motorsport’s most demanding arenas, a partnership forged in engineering precision and high-performance ambition has proven its worth. SKF, a global leader in bearing technology and innovation, celebrated a remarkable milestone in partnership with SVR Toyota GAZOO Racing, taking second position overall at the 2025 Dakar Rally.
printer friendly version