UK-based technology centre SATRA presented an award to Sue Winckle from its Footwear Division at the company’s recent annual general meeting, to commemorate her 40 years of service at the centre.

Having joined SATRA straight from school in 1966 as a laboratory assistant in the physics department, Ms Winkle went on to work on a wide variety of technical service topics, building up an in-depth knowledge of synthetic and natural upper and lining materials for footwear.

In recent years, her extensive knowledge has enabled SATRA to take on work involving other consumer products such as leathergoods, luggage, upholstery, shoe polishes and even horse blankets and breast pads.