Moulding Together!

December 2016, Issue 10

A big HELLO to our new colleagues at W.Howard Kildare!

A warm welcome to everyone at the W. Howard Kildare site, and a huge thank you to Mick, Ciara, Sonia, Debbie for their appearance in their first ever W. Howard Kildare photoshoot!

Left to right - Mick, Ciara, Sonia, Debbie

The W.Howard Kildare site

We were lucky to have a special

visitor last week...

Welcome to our Christmas newsletter! As 2016 draws to a close and 2017 looms large, it’s a time to reflect and anticipate.

2016 has been an extraordinary year in many respects, although few would have predicted many of the major events - Leicester City winning the Premier League, the Brexit vote, Donald Trump elected as President of USA and Toblerone changing shape, to name but a few.

The same could be said of our business, having started the year steadily in an increasingly buoyant market with a strong second half predicted, we and the industry as a whole were rocked by an explosion at Kronospan in Chirk that resulted in unprecedented shortages of supply of MDF from which they and therefore we, are only just recovering. Due to the commitment and efforts of everyone within the business we have managed to retain the faith of our customers by demonstrating our commitment to them in the most difficult of conditions – thank you.

As the year progressed, an amazing opportunity arose to acquire Balcas Kildare and eventually a deal was concluded on 25 November. I would like to take this opportunity to formally welcome everyone based at Kildare to our business.

Now called W.Howard Kildare Limited, the acquisition is a game changer for our business providing us with an excellent skill base, additional capacity, a unique product in the form of KOTA (polymer encapsulated MDF profiles), easier access to a growing Irish market and the ability to trade € to € with our European partners.

It is fair to say that we are all very excited at the opportunities ahead and whilst a lot of hard work will be required, it is wonderful for our business to be in a position where we can be positive. 2017 is a year that holds great promise if we all maintain focus and remember that we need to keep improving on every level, create new opportunities and be ready to grab the unexpected ones.

Finally I’d like to wish you and your loved ones a fabulous Christmas and a peaceful but exciting 2017. Once again, thank you for all your efforts in 2016.

Best regards,

Graham

We look forward to seeing everyone at the Boathouse, Astley 2pm this Friday, 23 December for a Christmas drink before we close until Tuesday 3 January 2017.

Issue 10 · December 2016

Happy Birthday!

The following colleagues have celebrated a special birthday over the past few months Cal Ainsworth – Polyco, Wales Georgia Worrall – Office, Astley Marcin Ryba – Polyco, Wales James Jones – Eccleston Engineering Daniel Darwell – Eccleston Engineering

Georgia Worrall James Jones

W.Howard’s Look-a-Likes!

Is it Tin Tin or John Critchley from our Estimating department?!

Is it Kevin Brandish, our materials controller at Astley or Jaap Stam?!

Employee Recognition Awards Well done and thank you to the following people who have gone above and beyond recently... Becci Brandish – Office, Astley For consistent dedication in encouraging involvement in all company related activities, leading by example and for her enthusiasm and commitment to the charity fundraising events. Not forgetting the many compliments we receive from external customers regarding her professional, helpful and welcoming manner as our Receptionist. Mark Rivers – Polyco, Wales Supervising the floor by leading by example. He wouldn’t ask anyone to do something he wouldn’t do himself. Mark confidently runs the factory on Fridays and when covering for holidays. The link between management and the shop floor is often difficult, particularly when it’s an internal promotion. The company believes Mark holds his position with respect, authority, a sound knowledge base and humility. James Jones (Jim) – Eccleston Engineering For working hard and his continued efforts to maintain a high level of work, in addition to his continued loyalty throughout his time with the company. Michael Adams (Mick) – Production AM, Astley For having a positive attitude at all times and a much appreciated effort in helping the joinery department through a period of transition. Pawel Wieczorek – Production PM, Astley For having a positive attitude and hard work since becoming a line leader John Foster – Logistics, Astley For adapting well to the differing roles asked of him and having a flexible approach to his working arrangements Alwyn Bray – Logistics, Astley For consistently performing well in his driver’s score KPI. Since the day Alwyn has been scored on his driving style, he has performed above the expected level asked of him and continues to perform highly when compared to the rest of the HGV driving team.

Top Training Stars! The following people have recently completed important training - well done to all! Daniel Cowley – Logistics Astley – Warehousing and Storage NVQ Level 2 Chris Blair – Production Astley – Business Improvement Techniques Shaun Gallagher – Production Astley – Business Improvement Techniques Gary Brown – Logistics Astley – Business Improvement Techniques Jack Weaver – Logistics Astley – Business Improvement Techniques Kevin Brandish – Logistics Astley – Business Improvement Techniques

Back row – Left to right: Shaun Gallagher, Chris Blair, Jack Weaver

Front row – Left to right: Daniel Cowley, Gary Brown, Kevin Brandish

Issue 10 · December 2016

Getting to Know You...Paul Hodge

Age: 46 Job Title: LDC Supervisor Married / Single/ any children?: Married, 4 children aged 26, 23, 20, 12, 3 grandchildren that live with them aged 6, 7, 8 How long have you worked for W. Howard?: 7-8 years Where did you work prior?: C&S Recovery (Police work) What kind of music do you like?: All kinds, don't mind What was your very first album?: Boston Do you have any pets?: Dog Chocy Lab Rolo and Bobby the bearded dragon If you were sent into the jungle, what three items would you take with you?: Food, drink, fags What would be your dream car? BMW M4 If you could have dinner with any celebrity, who would it be?: Nell Bryden (Full of inspiration) What is your most memorable moment?: Having my children, all 4 of them What is your most embarrassing moment?: Too embarrassing to tell Do you have a party trick?: Ain't got one Describe yourself in three words?: Helpful, caring, happy What is the best thing about working at W Howard?: The people I work with at LDC & Manchester Who do you nominate for the next ‘Getting to know you’?: Mark Odams

2016 saw us raise a massive £3948.27 for our chosen charity, St Ann’s Hospice, Little Hulton. Thank you all for your support and contributions!

Here are a few pictures from our Manchester 10K and Colour Run teams.

We are proposing a new format for charity fundraising support for 2017 – all will be

revealed in the January briefings!

Issue 10 · December 2016

New Starters - Welcome! A big welcome to the following new team members who have joined us across the Group:

Edgars Pankratovs – Production AM Astley, Process worker Marcin Grzegorzewski – Polyco Wales, Production Operative John Foster – Logistics Astley, FLT Driver / Order picker Matthew Normand – Production PM Astley, Process worker Samuel Morgan – Production PM Astley, Process Worker

Thinking about Christmas 2017?! The Christmas Savings Club has been running now for a couple of years with many of you saving and receiving a lump sum at this time of year. Money is not deducted from your wages, instead you can pay into the account by standing order each month, with as little or as much as you want. The money is then paid back into your nominated bank account on the 1st November or at a date convenient to you. If anyone else is interested in joining for 2017, please contact Nick Woods.

Getting to Know You...Mark Rivers

Age - 36 Job Title - Supervisor Married / Single/ any children? – married with 4 children How long have you worked for the W Howard Group? – 15 years Where did you work prior to the W Howard Group? – Welsh Guards What kind of music do you like? – not music orientated What was your very first album? - Bob Marley Do you have any pets? – lots of pets, pet lion (black Garfield looky-like cat) , tortoise (Me Shell), rare albino Amazonian trouser snake If you were sent into the jungle what 3 items would you take with you? – compass, tent & rifle What would be your dream car? – dodge viper If you could have dinner with any celebrity dead or alive who would it be and why? – Cartman from South Park, because he is really funny What is your most memorable moment? – guarding the crown jewels at Tower of London and birth of my children What is your most embarrassing moment – kneeling down at on my wedding day with ‘HE LP’ tippexed on bottom of my shoes Do you have any party trick – I can only last two beers and then its bed time Describe yourself in 3 words – chilled, sarcastic, competitive What is the best thing about working at the W Howard Group? – after 15 years no hairdressing bills (lose your hair!) Who do you nominate to do the next getting to know you? – Tommy Smith

Don’t forget your Simplyhealth membership renews in January. This means your entitlements are topped back up again. Don’t forget to submit your claims for refunds, they can be backdated 12 months. Anyone wishing to add partners or up-grade their membership – you have 30 days from 1st January 2017! Let us know! Please contact Becci on Becci.Brandish@whoward.co.uk

Issue 10 · December 2016

Issue 10 · December 2016

Issue 10 · December 2016