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ASSOCIATIONINSIGHT Portable Sanitation Association International News BIWEEKLY EDITION MARCH 17, 2021 Page 18 In Memoriam: Vernon Hills V ernon Hills, founder and previous managing director of PolyJohn International, passed away in early February. Vernon played a crucial part in advancing portable sanitation practices and products globally. In 1984, Vernon was General Sales Manager of Portaloo, a European manufacturer of prefabricated steel toilet cabins, and related buildings. The company was a market leader across Europe. He became aware of a new product entering the UK market from the USA—a plastic toilet cabin that had many advantages over steel fabricated units. He thought these units could be a useful addition to Portaloo's product range. Vernon did his research, and he identified a manufacturer in Indiana. Vernon and his Managing Director, Dick Tagg, soon arranged a meeting with Ed Cooper of PolyJohn. The first of many flights across the Atlantic secured a deal, and they placed a large order. This arrangement lasted a few years, but Ed Cooper had other plans. He approached Vernon with a proposal to set up a partnership. The advantages of such an arrangement were obvious, and very quickly PolyJohn UK Ltd was founded. It initially operated on a desk in Vernon's wife's business, and a large shed rented on a mushroom farm. It was not ideal, but it was enough to get the company started. PolyJohn quickly grew in the UK and throughout Europe. In 2004 the name was changed to PolyJohn International Ltd. From there, Vernon expanded PolyJohn's reach to South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. He even was able to stop in Singapore on a return trip back to the UK, and established a market there. Vernon was always looking at ways to reduce shipping costs to these distant lands, and for ways to maintain product quality and consistency. This focus was not just aimed at spreading the reach of PolyJohn as a company, but also for spreading the idea that clean sanitation practices are necessary to all people. Vernon Hills was respected and trusted around the world; he made many friends through this business. He started PolyJohn UK Ltd from nothing and quickly turned it into a global player. His work ethic was "work hard, make money, and have fun." Everyone who worked with him followed this ethic, and together they built PolyJohn into what it is today. You may remember seeing a very tall, smiling man in PolyJohn booths at trade shows past. That was Vernon. Not only was his stature seen, but it was felt as well. He was a genuine man that was always happy to have a conversation with anyone, and he had stories he could tell for days about his travels across the world selling portable toilets. Mike Cooper, President and CEO of PolyJohn, says, "The PolyJohn family thanks Vernon for all the contributions he made to PolyJohn, and also to the industry in whole. His legacy will live on through them all. You will be greatly missed—rest in peace, friend." v Vernon Hills