ROCKFACE - Wainwright · 2018. 6. 27. · Editor: Tim Gibson Editorial Consultant: Joni Stoker Design & Origination: George Bridgeman Additional Photography: Ian Sweetman DESIGN &

ROCKFACET H E W A I N W R I G H T N E W S L E T T E R

S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 8

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EDITORIALEditor: Tim Gibson Editorial Consultant: Joni Stoker Design & Origination: George Bridgeman Additional Photography: Ian Sweetman

DESIGN & PRINTNew Century Design, The Studio, Hare Lane, Buckland Saint Mary, Somerset TA20 3JS | www.newcenturydesign.co.uk

PORTABLE FORMAT DOCUMENTSRockface is also available in electronic format from www.wainwright.co.uk

CONTACT DETAILSJohn Wainwright & Co. Ltd, Moons Hill Quarry, Mendip Road, Stoke St Michael, Radstock, Somerset BA3 5JU | 01749 840274 | [email protected]

WELCOMEIt has long been my belief that Wainwright is a business with a social conscience. We understand, just as our forebears in the company understood, that we have a responsibility to make a positive contribution to the wellbeing of our neighbours and the landscape in which we live and work.

Looking through the pages of this issue of Rockface, I feel as if that is our story this spring. Time and again in what follows you’ll read of Wainwright people making a difference: through their involvement in activities such as the litter pick organised with the support of the Mendip Quarry Producers, or their educational and careers outreach work among young people in our communities. Or through individual gestures like taking part in charity challenges, or sponsoring colleagues as they test their mettle in long-distance runs, cycle rides and even boxing matches.

In these ways, the individuals in our company participate in our corporate ethos. We have always cared about doing the right thing, whether that’s in our treatment of people or the world around us.

That is why I am pleased to nuture our association with the Mid Somerset Agricultural Society, which led to us sponsoring its annual hedge-laying competition in February and celebrating an ancient rural craft. It is why I am delighted to accept invitations as an ambassador for our business, and for our industry, speaking at public forums and ensuring our perspective is heard.

And, fundamentally, it is why we established the Wainwright Futures Foundation in 2016. On course to have distributed well over £20,000 within just two years of its launch, that is a legacy of which the current generation of Wainwright employees can feel very proud.

Of course, what makes it all possible is our ongoing commercial success, which is also well attested to in what follows by reference to our high-profile resurfacing of the Castle Combe Circuit, for instance, or our growing asphalt business. In the midst of challenging market conditions, we’re consolidating our growth and building for the future.

So allow me to pay tribute to the people who make Wainwright what it is, who understand what we’re all about, are proud of it, and work tirelessly to embody it day by day.

Enjoy the read, and best wishes for the months ahead.

Peter Barkwill, Chief Executive

4 | Rockface: The Wainwright Newsletter Rockface: The Wainwright Newsletter | 5

RACING AHEADIf you want to test the performance of premium asphalt, few environments are more suitable than a professional racing circuit. That is why Wainwright Contracting was delighted to lay more than 1,100 tonnes of proprietary Trackphalt material at Castle Combe Circuit in Wiltshire in February.

The material is designed to enhance both grip and smoothness, ensuring optimum performance at high speed. It was manufactured at Wainwright Asphalt’s Avonmouth plant near Bristol and will receive a stern test in the months and years ahead.

As a local landmark among motorsports enthusiasts, Castle Combe was a high-profile project for Wainwright’s rapidly expanding Contracting business. Three paving machines were on site at the track during the project, with operatives deploying a method known as ‘echelon paving’ to lay the material.

This involves laying asphalt side by side and in sequence to minimise surfacing joints, ensuring the very highest standards of longevity, smoothness and strength.

A T C A S T L E C O M B E

WAINWRIGHT CONTRACTING RECENTLY RESURFACED

THE ICONIC RACEWAY IN WILTSHIRE.


“After undertaking some resurfacing of the circuit in 2015, Wainwright has maintained a strong relationship with Castle Combe,” said Matthew Moore, Wainwright’s Operations Manager – Contracting. “We were then chosen as the preferred contractor to resurface the rest of the track this year – a big project that we were delighted to take on.”

Not only did the contract require exemplary organisation and workmanship from Wainwright Contracting’s team. It also pulled in expertise from other areas of the company. For example, the sales team worked hard to manage the order book and ensure a ready supply of materials to all of the projects in progress during the period. Meanwhile, the technical team ensured the Trackphalt specification met Castle Combe’s precise needs.

“With Wainwright Asphalt producing the materials, this really was an impressive effort across the business,” explained Operations Director Wayne McKeown. “It shows how, thanks to Wainwright’s growth, we can deliver on complex projects and keep well on top of our ever-expanding daily operations.”

“The Castle Combe project was managed superbly by Matthew Moore and his team of operatives,” added Contracting Director Lee Seviour. “It was a fantastic piece of work to be involved in, which has given us great profile regionally. By rising to the technical challenge posed in the context of a racing circuit, we’ve effectively demonstrated the versatility of our products, and the skill of our surfacing team.”

Castle Combe was an RAF airbase during the Second World War, before being decommissioned in 1948. Two years later, the first motorsport event took place on the newly opened racing circuit – a meet organised by Bristol Motorcycle and Light Car Club.

It wasn’t long before Castle Combe Circuit became an important location among car and motorcycle racing enthusiasts. Over the years, it has hosted Formula Three races as well as the British GT Championship.

Now, the circuit is home to three club championships involving saloon

cars, GTs and Formula Ford, as well as a Hot Hatch Challenge that has proved wildly popular among fast-car enthusiasts from across Europe.

In addition to being used as a backdrop for competitive motorsport, the circuit is open to the public for driving experiences and track days. These give visitors a chance to experience the thrill of driving on a professional race track, with expert tuition available from seasoned racing drivers.

To find out more about Castle Combe Circuit, visit castlecombecircuit.co.uk

RACING THROUGH THE AGESA B R I E F H I S T O R Y O F C A S T L E C O M B E

Photos courtesy of Trackside Images, Tim Crisp & EDP Photo News

WE’VE EFFECTIVELY DEMONSTRATED THE VERSATILITY OF OUR PRODUCTS, AND THE SKILL OF OUR SURFACING TEAM

”


CELEBRATING AN ANCIENT RURAL CRAFT

Drive along the Old Wells Road to the south of Wainwright’s Moons Hill Quarry and you’ll see a beautiful sight: yards of perfectly laid hedges, embodying a rural craft that has existed for generations.

That’s because Wainwright hosted, and sponsored, the Mid-Somerset Agricultural Society’s annual hedge-laying competition, which was held on Sunday, 18 February 2018.

As a result, the hedges bounding one of its fields near to Cranmore Tower were laid by rural craftspeople competing in both Open and Amateur Classes.

Wainwright’s involvement with the event stemmed from Chief Executive Peter Barkwill’s tenure as President of the Society, which ended in March with a celebratory lunch and presentation. As a local landowner, Wainwright has a stake in the vibrancy of the region’s farming communities, and – crucially – was able to provide ready access to the quantity of hedging needed for such an important event.

“I have a keen interest in traditional rural crafts, and greatly enjoyed watching the skills of the competitors during the hedge-laying event,” said Peter. “It’s so important that we keep local farming cultures and traditions alive and thriving, not least so we can inspire the next generation to take them up and continue enhancing our beautiful landscapes.”

Peter was on hand throughout the day, along with colleagues from Wainwright, to enjoy the event and share in the hospitality being laid on by the company. He awarded cash prizes to the winners and runners-up in each category, as well as certificates recording their impressive achievement.

“It was a great day, and I was pleased to be involved,” he reported. “Not only was the event itself highly enjoyable, but it’s great to see the laid hedges as I drive past – they look stunning, and speak eloquently of the skills displayed by competitors.”

“Although agriculture has seen vast technological advances, it is generally held that there is still no machine which can replicate the skilled work of the hedge layer.”

So says the website of the National Hedge-Laying Society, in a fitting reflection of the talents of its members. Hedge laying remains an important rural craft, and events such as the Mid Somerset Agricultural Society’s annual competition help exponents of the technique refine their skills.

When hedgerows were removed from farms in the years after the Second World War, many foresaw the demise of hedge laying as a rural pastime. Those hedges that remained were often poorly maintained, becoming little more than rows of trees as boundaries were replaced by wire fences.

By the 1970s, a backlash had begun against scrubbing hedges, and a process of reinstating them commenced. This picked up pace in the 1990s, with the introduction of farming subsidies designed to enhance biodiversity.

As a result, hedge laying enjoyed a resurgence as a tried-and-tested means of creating attractive, livestock-proof boundaries that provide the ideal habitat for a variety of wildlife.

Now, hedge laying is a popular, and growing, rural craft, for which practitioners can receive formal accreditation from the National Hedge-Laying Society. Competitions are held throughout the country, attracting strong fields of amateurs and professionals alike.

WAINWRIGHT WAS PROUD TO SPONSOR THE MID-SOMERSET AGRICULTURAL

SOCIETY’S ANNUAL HEDGE-LAYING COMPETITION IN FEBRUARY.

GETTING HANDS-ON WITH HEDGES

from left to right: Ian Harvey, Andrew Open, overall winner Chris Chivers and Peter Barkwill


On the week commencing Monday, 16 April, employees from Wainwright joined volunteers from neighbouring quarry companies to pick litter from 13 miles of highways around their landholdings.

“This was a coordinated and important effort to overcome something that blights our nation,” explained Peter Barkwill. “Wherever I go, I see litter that’s been carelessly discarded, without a second thought to its impact on the environment or the people who live there.

“I don’t believe the government has the resources to deal with this problem effectively,” he continued. “So I asked the Mendip Quarry Producers (MQP) to help fund a week-long litter pick on our home patch. I’m delighted that they threw their weight behind it, and that we were supported by Mendip District Council.”

With traffic management and an ambitious programme of litter collection, this was no token effort on the part of the quarry industry. Throughout the week, employees from Wainwright, Aggregate Industries, Tarmac, Hanson, and Morris & Perry could be seen in high-visibility jackets, clearing rubbish from verges, lay-bys and footpaths. In total, they filled 550 bags with rubbish, as well as clearing larger items such as discarded mattresses and microwave ovens.

“I found it inspiring to be involved in this project,” said Paul Bishop, a Surfacing Estimator at Wainwright. “I live locally, and I’m proud that our quarry companies have pulled together to improve the environment in this way.”

Mendip District Council and Somerset County Council issued live tweets throughout the week to raise awareness of the litter pick, and three District Councillors came to talk to volunteers on the final day. They were Cllr Nigel Taylor, Cllr Philip Ham and Cllr John Parham.

Cllr Parham, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Governance and Corporate Services, said: “Congratulations to all of the quarry businesses that were involved in this worthwhile project, it was a fantastic effort and you can absolutely see the difference they have made along the route.

“We look forward to working with them all on future events and offer support to see how in the future we can recycle as much of the litter as possible.”THE WAINWRIGHT WAY

• £1 billion: the annual cost of clearing litter from the UK’s public spaces

• 67.2m: the estimated number of individual pieces of litter dropped on Highways Agency roads per year

• 7,000: the number of calls made to the RSPCA each year about animals injured by litter

• 69,000: the number of animals killed or injured by litter each year

• 62%: the proportion of the UK population that drops litter• 825,000: the number of reported fly-tipping cases in the UK

last year• 95%: the proportion of farmers who have cleared other

people’s rubbish from their land• £80: the amount you’ll get fined if caught dropping litter• 122 tonnes: the weight of cigarette butts dropped in the UK

every single day

W A I N W R I G H T E M P L O Y E E S S P E N T

A W E E K C L E A R I N G L I T T E R F R O M

L O C A L R O A D S A S P A R T O F A N

I N D U S T R Y - W I D E I N I T I A T I V E .

MAKING A DIFFERENCE TO THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT TRASH TALK: THE HARD FACTS ABOUT LITTER

from left to right: Joni Stoker, Julia Swift, Peter Barkwill, Sue Brown, Marcia Beeching & Kirsty Byrne

Peter Barkwill and Cllr John Parham


ASPHALT TEAM

M E E T T H E

It doesn’t seem long since Wainwright invested millions of pounds in a new Benninghoven asphalt plant at Moons Hill. The initiative, which was completed in 2006, represented a bold business move from the company, as it looked to dramatically increase output and gain market share in the asphalt sector.

After a further £1 million investment in the plant in 2012, it seemed clear that asphalt production would play a major part in Wainwright’s future. And with the construction of the £9 million Avonmouth Asphalt plant in 2016, that trajectory has continued – giving the company an even greater reach throughout the South West and beyond.

Of course, no amount of state-of-the-art machinery is sufficient to ensure commercial success. Key to that is a team of high-quality people who are dedicated to their craft and willing to go the extra mile.

That’s exactly what you’ll find if you visit the asphalt facilities at Moons Hill and Avonmouth. Led by Asphalt Manager Jody Bennett, who joined the company in September 2017, the two teams play a vital role in Wainwright Asphalt’s continuing commercial success.

AS WAINWRIGHT ASPHALT CONTINUES TO EXPAND, ROCKFACE

CATCHES UP WITH THE TEAM AT THE MOONS HILL AND

AVONMOUTH PRODUCTION FACILITIES.

At Moons Hill, the team has more than 115 years of combined experience in the industry. It consists of Asphalt Operatives Dave Kent, Fred Marks, Steve Cox, Andrew Stretton and Nathan Dix and Assistant Asphalt Plant Manager Robin Snow. Between them, they work around the clock – including an ever-growing number of night shifts – to ensure a ready supply of materials for projects of every size.

At Avonmouth, the team has grown in response to the demands of the fledgling business. It now consists of Asphalt Operatives Mo Gader, Tad Pumpalovicious and Richard Evans, Apprentice David Rexworthy, Asphalt Maintenance Supervisor Mick Day and Temporary Asphalt Plant Supervisor George Beer. Like their colleagues at Moons Hill, the Avonmouth team commit to long hours in order to service the demand of customers throughout the region.

M E E T T H E T E A M

WE HAVE A GOOD RAPPORT AND A STRONG DESIRE TO DELIVER. THAT FEELS LIKE A

RECIPE FOR ONGOING SUCCESS

”

Asphalt Operatives David Rexworthy (top), Nathan Dix (below)


“There’s no such thing as an ‘average’ day,” laughs Dave Kent when asked to describe his working patterns. “Usually, some of the team starts work at 4am to service the early shift, then another group comes on at 7am. The early shift ends at 2pm and the late shift goes on until 5pm – but there’s often a requirement to stay late if demand is high, or if there’s been a breakdown. And we’ve been picking up a lot of night work recently, which changes the pattern again.”

This speaks of the commitment of the team to getting the job done. As Jody remarks: “Across both sites, the guys pull together to ensure we meet demand. They often work antisocial hours, or stay late with no prior warning. That’s part and parcel of the industry, but it’s very much appreciated.”

A N A V E R A G E D A Y ?

Indeed, to show Wainwright’s appreciation of their efforts, Jody recently took the team and their partners out for a go-karting trip followed by dinner. “It’s our wives and partners who bear the brunt of our working patterns,” observes Fred. “It’s good to show that Wainwright appreciates them.”

As it happens, the teams agree that a standout feature of working at Wainwright is that you feel valued as a person. “In larger companies, it’s easy to feel as if you’re just a number on a payroll,” says Andrew. “But here you feel as if you’re treated like an individual. Management treat us with respect, and we’re encouraged to develop and grow with the business.”

David, who joined as an apprentice at the start of the year, agrees. “I feel excited by the prospect of building a career with Wainwright,” he

F E E L I N G V A L U E D

At the moment, each of the asphalt plants produces somewhere in the region of 900 tonnes a day, although they have capacity to go as high as 1,200 tonnes if need be. For Moons Hill, this is a mix of large orders for use on big projects, including an increasing number being serviced by Wainwright Contracting, and collect customers, who tend to want smaller loads. At Avonmouth, the bias is towards larger loads for big contractors, meaning there are usually fewer mixes per day.

“The skill of an operative,” explains Andrew, “is ensuring you get the right mix ready at the right time, so there’s no logjam. The last thing we want is a queue of impatient customers waiting for their orders. We have to plan ahead, and ensure the plant is operating efficiently at all times.”

Dave is clear that some people have an innate ability to mix asphalt, and that time served is the best way to develop the right instincts. “If you’ve been doing it as long as I have,” he states, “you get a feel for what’s going on in the plant. I can listen now and tell you if there’s a bearing going somewhere in the machinery, just by the sound of it. It’s a craft, and nothing beats experience when it comes to perfecting your skills.”

That’s an inspiring thought for George Beer. He’s worked for Wainwright since 2014 and recently completed a Diploma in Quarry Technologies from the University of Derby. “This is an exciting area of the business for me,” he says. “I can learn a huge amount from my colleagues and have loads of opportunities to progress and take on more responsibility.”

This sense of excitement has been growing around Wainwright Asphalt since that bold investment in Moons Hill back in 2006. There’s a tangible feeling at both sites of a business on the move, and the team is shaping up for the future with enthusiasm, commitment and dedication.

“We have a good rapport and a strong desire to deliver,” concludes Jody. “That feels like a recipe for ongoing success.”

S T E P P I N G U P P R O D U C T I O N

I CAN LEARN A HUGE AMOUNT FROM MY COLLEAGUES AND HAVE LOADS OF OPPORTUNITIES TO PROGRESS

AND TAKE ON MORE RESPONSIBILITY

”

Asphalt Operative Fred Marks makes a running repair

Assistant Asphalt Plant Manager (Moons Hill) Robin Snow

from left to right: Asphalt Operatives Mo Gader, Tad Pumpalovicious, Richard Evans

reflects. “I’m really enjoying working at Avonmouth and learning new skills. It’s a very supportive environment.”

Andrew, Mo and Nathan are also acquiring new qualifications while on the job. Although not formally apprentices, they are studying alongside David and other trainees on a programme being delivered between Wainwright, Morris & Perry and SM Morris. “It’s a great opportunity to receive some helpful training,” says Mo. “It’ll certainly help advance our careers in the future.”


When Wainwright’s HR team issued an employee survey at the start of January 2018, it was the first major canvass of the workforce’s opinions ever undertaken. The questionnaire asked a variety of questions concerning the attitudes and experiences of Wainwright’s staff, and nearly two thirds of the team responded.

“Employee surveys are a really good way to take the temperature of a workforce,” explained HR Director Lisa Saunders. “By encouraging honest responses from team-members, we gain valuable insights into issues like staff motivation, retention, satisfaction and prospects. That can then inform an HR strategy, which is reviewed by means of an annual survey.”

The findings of Wainwright’s survey were encouraging for a business that has been on a journey of growth over recent years. They showed a contented workforce, with the majority feeling they are paid fairly and have a sense of loyalty to the company. Moreover, 89% of respondents said they feel a sense of achievement in their work, and 90% said they were willing to “go the extra mile for Wainwright”.

Staff showed high degrees of satisfaction in areas such as the quality of relationships they enjoy with colleagues, personal development opportunities, and with the benefits they receive. A further striking feature of the survey was that staff feel inspired by the sense that

Wainwright is a company on the move, with changes being made that are beneficial to everyone, and with a strong corporate brand.

“Despite the very favourable findings of the survey, there are areas where we can improve,” continued Lisa. “For example, staff want reassurance that their pay is comparable to that offered by other employers in the industry, and they would like better internal communications, so they have a sense of ownership over our strategic direction as a business.”

To respond to these concerns, the HR team will set up an employee forum that will improve communication among employees and enable information to be cascaded throughout the workforce. In addition, specific measures such as salary benchmarking and the publication of annual value statements that show details of staff benefits will give employees a better understanding of their worth to the company.

Commenting on the process, Financial Director Brian Rexworthy said: “The employee survey has been a great initiative, and I thank Lisa and Kirsty [HR Advisor] for their work in making it happen. The insights yielded by the process will help us ensure Wainwright continues to be a great employer, where people come first and are given every opportunity to succeed.”

ENGAGE FOR SUCCESS

Relationships

Job

Culture

Change

Benefits Pay

Communications

Ethics &Diversity

Work-lifeBalance

PersonalDevelopment

Empowerment,Involvement &Consultation

Engagement

W A I N W R I G H T ’ S R E C E N T E M P L O Y E E S U R V E Y

R E V E A L E D A H A P P Y A N D F U L F I L L E D W O R K F O R C E .

H E R E ’ S A G U I D E T O S O M E O F T H E F I N D I N G S .

86% agree that Wainwright has a strong corporate

brand

91% enjoy their job 85% feel secure in their job

56% are happy with their pay

80% feel that Wainwright is a values-driven

business

Lisa Saunders and Peter Barkwill

Kate and Andrew Open

Steve and Debs Urch, with Justin Thorner (centre)


Few would deny that the quarrying industry faces a challenge to recruit the next generation of workers. While there are notable exceptions, including many of the fresh faces at Wainwright, the sector as a whole struggles to establish a talent pipeline of young people.

To help overcome the challenge, Wainwright and the Somerset Earth Science Centre have developed a joint programme of educational outreach activities. By engaging with local schools and colleges, they hope to raise awareness of the wealth of opportunities available in the quarrying industry, inspiring the next generation to join local companies and progress their careers.

Here’s a guide to some of the activities undertaken by the team since the start of 2018.

On Wednesday, 28 February, Wainwright HR Director Lisa Saunders and HR Advisor Kirsty Byrne accompanied Somerset Earth Science Centre Manager Dr Gill Odolphie to a careers fair at the Wells Blue School. They put up a display about quarrying practices and local geology as well as delivering a series of workshops about apprenticeships in the industry.

Later in the spring, on Monday, 12 and Tuesday, 13 March, Lisa led two assemblies at the school in which she spoke in more detail about the innovative apprenticeship programmes that Wainwright is involved in delivering (see page 31).

“This was a great opportunity to make connections in an important local school,” remarked Lisa. “The quarry industry doesn’t feature high on students’ list of potential employers, so it’s great to raise awareness in this way. We have such a range of roles available in local companies. It’s important to ensure young people are aware of just what a fulfilling career could be available to them.”

Thursday, 8 March saw Lisa, Kirsty and Gill return to the Blue School to take part in a day-long Girl Power event. Held on International Women’s Day, it was designed to inspire female students to pursue a career in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM)-related fields.

Wearing their Personal Protection Equipment and speaking with enthusiasm about the industry, they showed how stimulating it can be to work in quarrying. Gill brought along a blast simulator, giving some of the students an opportunity to fire the detonator – something that proved both exciting and motivating for the girls who attended.

“There’s a huge amount about the quarry environment that is both intellectually demanding and physically enjoyable,” said Gill. “Our hope at this event was to communicate some of that to these young women, so they see the potential of a career in quarrying.”

C A R E E R S F A I R S & A S S E M B L I E S

G I R L P O W E R

On Friday, 23 March, 17 BTEC Business Studies students from the Blue School came for a day at the Somerset Earth Science Centre. Lisa and Kirsty each presented an interactive workshop: the first about business management and the second about CV writing.

The students also enjoyed a quarry tour and a workshop about Public Relations by Wainwright’s Communications Director, Tim Gibson, before undergoing a mock interview with a quarrying professional in the afternoon.

By assessing students against a real-world job specification and examining their CVs, the interviewers – who came from a number of local quarry and quarry-related companies – provided valuable experience of the selection process for any job. Their feedback empowered students at an age when they are getting ready to enter the world of work, helping to prepare them for the rigours of job applications and interviews.

“It’s daunting when you’re at the start of your career,” said Kirsty Byrne. “We hope that our input helped equip students with important skills for the next phase in their lives, as well as engendering an appreciation of the prospects available within our industry. Whether they want to work in HR, PR, education, engineering, operational roles, or finance, quarrying companies have a huge range of positions to fill, and a real desire to attract young people.”

B U S I N E S S T R A I N I N G F O R B T E C S T U D E N T S

INSPIRING THENEXT GENERATIONW A I N W R I G H T A N D T H E S O M E R S E T E A R T H

S C I E N C E C E N T R E H A V E T E A M E D U P T O R A I S E

A W A R E N E S S O F C A R E E R S I N Q U A R R Y I N G

A M O N G L O C A L S T U D E N T S .

SESC Manager Dr Gill Odolphie with a student at Wells Blue School


QUARRY NEWSA HANDFUL OF HIGHLIGHTS FROM WAINWRIGHT’S

QUARRY OPERATION OVER RECENT MONTHS.

The welfare area in the quarry workshop has been dramatically updated, with new sinks and showers providing a more hospitable environment. The first image below shows the old sinks, while the remaining images show the new sinks and showers. Quite a contrast!

A new staff access and car-parking area is in the process of being constructed at Moons Hill Quarry. The new entrance will be bounded on either side by hedges and trees, creating a pleasing ambience for the workforce as they come and go. Meanwhile, the car parking gives quarry and laboratory staff improved access to the site.

A number of pedestrian walkways are being installed throughout the site, making it easier to get from A to B and helping reduce mud and grime. “This is an ongoing project,” said Quarry Manager Ben Dormer, “and over time we hope to have a good network of walkways enabling staff to move around the site safely and with ease.”

N E W W E L F A R E F O R W O R K S H O P

When the weather turned snowy, Wainwright’s new JCB 540-17 Telehandler was deployed to clear the way around the Old Frome Road near Moons Hill. “The machine coped admirably with the poor conditions,” said Operations Director Wayne McKeown, “making a valuable contribution to keeping the highway clear for local people.”

P O O R W E A T H E R I S S N O W B O T H E R F O R J C B !

P E D E S T R I A N W A L K W A Y S

S T A F F A C C E S S I M P R O V E S

BBC Sport presenter Mike Bushell came to Moons Hill Quarry in December 2017 to front a film for the Institute of Quarrying Benevolent Fund. Somerset’s only basalt quarry provided a perfect backdrop for the video, which also featured Wainwright’s recently purchased Volvo EC750E excavator.

M O O N S H I L L G A I N S S T A R Q U A L I T Y


S O M E R S E T E A R T HS C I E N C E C E N T R EI T ’ S A L W A Y S B U S Y A T T H E S O M E R S E T E A R T H

S C I E N C E C E N T R E . S O W H A T ’ S B E E N G O I N G

O N I N R E C E N T M O N T H S ?

The East Mendip Wildlife Watch Group enjoyed an especially stimulating session in February when Dr Gill Odolphie delivered a talk about otters. The theme for the monthly meeting was inspired by Gill’s discovery of otter spraint (droppings) in the grounds of the centre.

Afterwards, with the help of Adrian Coward from the Somerset Otter Group, the gathering of children and parents set about building an artificial holt beside the lake. The hope is that a group of otters will make it their permanent home.

“Otters are wonderfully playful creatures that are an enhancement to any environment,” Gill remarked. “It was great to get young people engaged in the excitement of building the holt, and watching out for signs of otters such as spraint, paw marks or evidence of them feeding. We hope to see some otters very soon!”

C A N Y O U S P O T T H E O T T E R ?


A group of people with learning difficulties visited the centre in February as part of a project in which they were learning about rocks.

Six visitors came from Westhay Opportunity Centre, a day centre providing support with life skills and academic development. They were given some input by Somerset Earth Science Centre staff about the variety of rocks found in the Mendips before heading out to Whatley Quarry for a tour.

Speaking about the event, Gill Odolphie said: “We all had a great day, and plan to work together again to provide an event for eight more visitors from Westhay. It is an inspiring initiative to be involved with. We all learned a great deal from each other.”

The Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) offers a two-year programme to educate young people about conservation and land management within the area. As part of their training, the cohort visited the Somerset Earth Science Centre to learn about the local quarrying industry, and its important place in the ecosystem of the Mendips.

“Because this is a group of young people who want to get stuck in with hands-on conservation work, we always give them an opportunity for some physical labour,” explains Juliet Lawn, Education Officer at the centre. “This year, they helped us cut down some invasive laurel from the lakeside – something that proved a welcome chore alongside a quarry tour and some presentations in the classroom.”

AONB YOUTH

A LAND OF OPPORTUNITY

• 30 visitors came from two local geology groups in February, ready to learn more about the unique geology of the Mendip Hills

• A group of apprentices from Wainwright, Morris & Perry and SM Morris are using the centre as a base for the classroom learning on their 15-month course

• The Central Division of the Somerset Beekeepers’ Association continues to meet at the centre on a regular basis

• A weekly yoga class is now taking place at the centre. Wainwright employees have a chance to test their flexibility and ease their mind on Tuesday evenings from 5.45pm

• The centre will be hosting an event about the British Geological Survey as part of May’s national Geoweek initiative. The event will be held at Hanson’s Batts Combe Quarry, near Wells

Engineering students from Frome College visited the centre on Tuesday, 16 January, as part of their careers studies.

The Year 10 students are completing a Level 2 NCFE qualification in Engineering. The trip provided them with an insight into how working quarries operate, and guidance about potential career paths in the industry.

As well as tours of Moons Hill Quarry and Wainwright’s asphalt plant, the 20-strong group learned about industry processes such as risk assessments and health and safety, drawing on best practice from the Wainwright Viafix plant. They were also given a talk on apprenticeship opportunities with local quarry companies.

“We have been extremely lucky that both the Somerset Earth Science Centre and employees from John Wainwright & Company have been working alongside us,” said Helen Smart, Subject Leader for Design, Technology and Engineering at Frome College. “This gives the students a great opportunity for any future career aspirations, and is also great experience for university applications.”

Dr Gill Odolphie, Manager of the Somerset Earth Science Centre, said: “One of our key objectives is to inspire the next generation to pursue a career in quarrying. We’re reaching out to students who are on the cusp of making decisions about their future, and visits like this one from Frome College are a crucial part of that strategy. It was a joy to welcome these promising young students to Moons Hill, and give them a taste of the industry in action.”

IT WAS A JOY TO WELCOME THESE PROMISING YOUNG STUDENTS TO MOONS HILL, AND GIVE THEM A TASTE OF THE

INDUSTRY IN ACTION

”

FROME COLLEGE VISIT

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS AT THE SESC

Middle and bottom: Workshop Fitter Nigel Atwell with students from Frome College


“Wainwright has a great reputation for quality, and we’re keen to keep on building on that in the future.”

That’s the view of Andy Robinson, Wainwright’s Technical Director, as he spearheads a company-wide campaign to attain the highest quality standards.

Wainwright is fully accredited for quality to British Standards Institute ISO 9001: 2008 as well as to the Construction Products Regulations. But with a new British Standard now in place, ISO 9001: 2015, Andy stresses that there’s no room for complacency.

“We’re already working towards accreditation to the new standard, which we aim to secure by September 2018,” he reports. “In order to achieve that milestone, we need to adopt best practice throughout the business, with everyone taking a stake in safety, quality and efficiency.”

This is a theme that Andy feels passionate about: namely, that quality requires commitment from everyone involved in the company.

“Whether an employee works cleaning the kitchen or specifying asphalt requirements, in the quarry as a loading shovel operator or in head office as a financial assistant, it is important to maintain the highest standards,” he says. “That will ensure our customers always receive the very best products and service, and that everything we do is focussed on quality.”

To help enshrine a culture of excellence, Andy and his team keep quality at the heart of everything in Wainwright. For example, they oversee an ongoing self-assessment programme that measures, records and sets new targets for quality.

“Everyone has a role to play in quality,” he observes, “and we need all Wainwright’s staff to have awareness of the requirements of the British Standards. We’re making the relevant documentation available to the whole workforce as part of our Quality Management System, and we’re always happy to give colleagues guidance on their part in maintaining the highest standards.

“I have absolute confidence that we’ll achieve ISO 9001: 2015 by our September deadline,” Andy concludes. “But the journey doesn’t stop there. It’s only a matter of time before another new standard is introduced, so we need to stay ahead of the curve, working together to achieve success.”

QUALITYIN FOCUS

WAINWRIGHT HAS A GREAT REPUTATION FOR QUALITY, AND WE’RE KEEN TO KEEP ON BUILDING ON THAT IN THE FUTURE

”

T E C H N I C A L D I R E C T O R A N D Y R O B I N S O N I S D R I V I N G A C A M P A I G N

T O S A F E G U A R D T H E H I G H E S T Q U A L I T Y S T A N D A R D S A T W A I N W R I G H T . H E R E ’ S

W H A T I T T A K E S T O A C H I E V E S U C C E S S .

ISO 9000 is a family of international standards that companies use to maintain quality. ISO 9001 relates to Wainwright’s area of activity, and underscores the value of the company’s products. In short, it reassures customers that Wainwright products are of the highest quality.

ISO 9001: 2015 is a new, more demanding, standard than its predecessor. It brings quality expectations right up to date, and Wainwright is on course to secure the standard by September.

To achieve this objective, Andy and his team encourage every employee to adopt a “Plan, Do, Check, Act” cycle across the business – enabling constant appraisal of activities and enhancement of practice for the future.

The British Standards Institute carries out a series of audits of Wainwright’s quality processes before awarding ISO 9001: 2015. In addition, the company is committed to a rolling programme of self-assessment, enabling it to evidence its adherence to the standard on an ongoing basis.

I S O 9 0 0 1 A T A G L A N C E

George Beer (left) and Nathan Dix


AROUNDWAINWRIGHT

According to Sales Coordinator Stacey Howe, this time last year she couldn’t run between lampposts on her street. Now, she’s proudly completed the Yeovil Half Marathon, and is gearing up for an even bigger challenge: the Loch Ness Marathon in Scotland this September.

“I joined a local running group called Westfield Trail & Training last April,” Stacey reports, “and they’ve encouraged me throughout my journey. I was able to run a mile by the end of May, and completed the Yeovil 5k in July in a time of just over 43 minutes.”

With her confidence growing, Stacey decided to enter the Bath Half Marathon in March, but it was cancelled because of the snow. Not wanting to waste her training, she transferred her entry to the Yeovil Half at the end of the month, and was delighted to complete the course after successfully competing in a number of 10k races during the preceding months. Stacey raised £230 for the charity Time Is Precious, which creates a more calming environment for children and their families while in hospital.

“Next up is the Jack’n’Jill Challenge, a 10k hilly trail run, the Chew Valley 10k in June and the Frome Half Marathon in July, which I want to complete in less than three hours,” she continues. “But the big challenge is the Loch Ness Marathon, which is not too hilly, but represents a truly awe-inspiring distance given how new I am to running.”

Stacey is not the only member of Wainwright’s team to set herself a physical challenge. Surfacing Commercial Manager Steve Urch will be competing in the Granfodo cycle race in Wales in May. This epic race is 103 miles in length, and involves more than 8,000ft of climbing.

Meanwhile, Surfacing Estimator Daniel Grant took part in the Ultimate White Collar Boxing Event at Bristol on Sunday, 14 April. Daniel undertook an eight-week intensive training programme and was delighted to win his fight. “I entered to raise money for Cancer Research UK, which is a really worthwhile cause,” he reported. “But I definitely wanted to come out on top.”

Well done, Daniel, Steve and Stacey!

R U N N I N G A W A Y W I T H H E R S E L F

Wainwright has been awarded an industry-standard Cyber Essential Certificate, underscoring the security of its Information Technology.

The certification is awarded to businesses who can demonstrate that they pay close and careful attention to cyber security. It provides customers and suppliers with valuable peace of mind, and is often required when contracting to central government.

“It’s reassuring to know that Wainwright’s security systems are of the very highest standards,” said Brian Rexworthy, Financial Director. “Achieving the Cyber Essentials certification provided a helpful opportunity to check our technology and ensure we are protected from the risk of a cyber attack.”

S T A Y I N G S A F E I N C Y B E R S P A C E

Daniel Grant (photo credit - ultrawhitecollarboxing.co.uk)

Stacey Howe

Steve Urch (and main image)


A new apprenticeship pathway has been launched in a partnership between Wainwright, SM Morris and Morris & Perry.

The new scheme involves four Wainwright employees: Asphalt Operatives Mo Gader, Nathan Dix, Andrew Stretton, and David Rexworthy. The first three were existing members of Wainwright’s staff, and David joined the company in January 2018 to take up his apprenticeship.

“The apprenticeship provides a mixture of hands-on training and classroom-based learning, delivered at the Somerset Earth Science Centre,” explained HR Director Lisa Saunders. “It’s a great way for our staff to develop their skills and earn at the same time. It ensures our asphalt team have an influx of new talent, who are gaining crucial real-world experience and learning about technical aspects of their roles.”

Lee Seviour has been promoted to the role of Contracting Director at Wainwright. Since rejoining the company as Surfacing Manager in 2016, Lee has helped drive substantial growth. Now, as the surfacing division continues to expand, it has been rebranded Wainwright Contracting, with Lee as its figurehead.

“It’s a great privilege to take on this senior management role in Wainwright Contracting, and in the company more widely,” Lee stated. “I’ve relished returning to the company after a period working elsewhere, and I believe our contracting operation is growing at an impressive, but sustainable, rate. I look forward to working with the team to deliver continued expansion in the months and years ahead.”

Meanwhile, Matthew Moore has been promoted to the role of Operations Manager – Contracting. He will work alongside Lee and Commercial Manager Steve Urch in ensuring the operational efficiency of the business.

Staff from Wainwright have participated in two volunteering days for the Somerset Wildlife Trust, making a positive contribution to the local landscape.

The first, on Thursday, 18 January, involved a team of Wainwright employees coppicing at Harridge Woods, just three miles from Moons Hill.

The second event took place on Thursday, 26 April, and involved dry-stone walling at Priddy.

“These volunteering days are a great opportunity for Wainwright employees to take time away from work and make a difference to the environment around them,” said Operations Director Wayne McKeown. “It’s an important part of our corporate culture to get involved in such events, and I know the staff involved enjoyed themselves immensely.”

Wainwright Chief Executive Peter Barkwill has been named by a magazine as one of the South West’s top 50 entrepreneurs.

In a feature that appears in the January –March 2018 issue of Business Leader magazine, Wainwright’s long-serving leader was listed alongside high-profile businesspeople such as Dragon’s Den star Deborah Meaden, Pensions Direct founder Adam Norris, and the duo behind Pieminister, Jon Simon and Tristan Hogg.

“It’s a great honour to be included in such company,” Peter remarked. “I think it’s a reflection of the dramatic growth Wainwright has seen over recent years – which is

something that’s only been possible with the support of a brilliant team of people. Long may we continue to build success as a business, bringing jobs and wealth to our region and beyond.”

In another reflection of his influence in the South West, Peter was recently invited by Barclays and KPMG to participate in a panel discussion about diversity in the workplace. Held in Bristol on International Women’s Day, the event attracted a mix of business people and academics, and Peter was invited to share insights about Wainwright’s efforts to encourage a more ethnically varied and gender-diverse workforce.

S T A F F V O L U N T E E R I N G

D A Y S A R E B I G S U C C E S S

L E E S E V I O U R

P R O M O T E D T O

D I R E C T O R S H I P

P E T E R N A M E D I N T O P 5 0 E N T R E P R E N E U R S

N E W A P P R E N T I C E S H I P P R O G R A M M E G O E S L I V E

THESE VOLUNTEERING DAYS ARE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR WAINWRIGHT EMPLOYEES TO TAKE TIME AWAY FROM WORK AND

MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO THE ENVIRONMENT AROUND THEM

”

from left to right: Stacey Howe, Paul Bishop, Kevin Saunders and James Beer

Paul Bishop

The group of apprentices at the Somerset Earth Science Centre

Peter Barkwill


Paul Norris, Surfacing Supervisor

David Rexworthy, Apprentice Asphalt Plant Operative

Jon Perry, Surfacing Operative

Edward Coate, Quarry Intern

Richard Carey, Credit Controller

Denis Reynolds, Tractor Driver

Rob Spillane, Viafix Plant Operative

Matthew Kirkwood, Viafix / Asphalt Plant Operative

A F T E R A D E V E L O P M E N T P R O C E S S L A S T I N G F I V E Y E A R S , W A I N W R I G H T H A S S E C U R E D P L A N N I N G P E R M I S S I O N T O D E V E L O P N E W M I N E R A L W A S T E T I P S A T M O O N S H I L L .

Richard Faulkner, Asphalt Plant Operative

Adrian Fisher, Asphalt Plant Manager

Paul Holding, Estates Operative

Shannon D’Arcy, Administrative Assistant

Nick Butler, Safety, Health and Environment Manager

Audrius Mejeris, Tractor Driver

Joe McGuinness, Trainee Lab Technician

Rhys Jervis, Surfacing Supervisor

Val Barton. Weighbridge Operative

Lee Seviour, now Contracting Director

Matthew Moore, now Operations Manager – Contracting

George Beer, now Temporary Asphalt Plant Supervisor (Avonmouth)

The proposal was approved at a Somerset County Council planning committee meeting on Thursday, 12 April 2018. It was first lodged with the council in 2016.

Operations Director Wayne McKeown said: “The development of our tips is business-critical for Wainwright. At present, we are being forced to tip overburden into areas where the mineral will need to be moved again, incurring a double-handling cost.”

Under the new scheme, Wainwright will extend one tip and construct two new tips, creating a total of 3.3 million cubic metres (6 million tonnes) of additional tipping space and safeguarding quarry operations at Moons Hill for the next 15 years. “As you can imagine, this is a significant achievement for Wainwright and for the region,” said Wayne. “Not only does it secure our quarrying activities for the future, it also ensures continued excavation of the region’s only deposit of basalt – something that provides important economic benefit to the local area.” As well as contributing to economic and social vibrancy, not least by safeguarding up to 100 jobs, the planning permission will yield significant long-term gains for the natural environment. Once complete, the scheme will create 17.3 hectares of species-rich grassland, 0.7 hectares of ponds, two hectares of woodland and 1,471 metres of hedgerow. These enriched landscapes will greatly enhance biodiversity, enabling rare or threatened species to thrive.

PLANNING PERMISSION SECURED FOR MOONS HILL TIPS

A S W A I N W R I G H T C O N T I N U E S T O

E X P A N D A N D D E V E L O P , W E ’ R E

P L E A S E D T O W E L C O M E T H E

F O L L O W I N G N E W S T A F F :

S T A F F C H A N G E S

W E B I D F A R E W E L L A N D G O O D L U C K

T O T H E F O L L O W I N G P E O P L E :

T H E S E P E O P L E H A V E S W I T C H E D

P O S I T I O N S W I T H I N T H E B U S I N E S S

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S T O T H E S E

P E O P L E , W H O H A V E B E E N P R O M O T E D

Jody Bennett, to be Temporary Manager of both Asphalt Plants

Robin Snow, moved to Moons Hill as Assistant Asphalt Plant Manager


WAINWRIGHT FUTURES FOUNDATIONS I N C E I T S I N C E P T I O N I N 2 0 1 6 , T H E W A I N W R I G H T

F U T U R E S F O U N D A T I O N H A S A W A R D E D N E A R L Y

£ 2 0 , 0 0 0 T O W O R T H W H I L E C O M M U N I T Y A N D

E N V I R O N M E N T A L P R O J E C T S I N T H E L O C A L A R E A .

H E R E A R E S O M E O F T H E B E N E F I C I A R I E S O F

W A I N W R I G H T ’ S C H A R I T A B L E F U N D , W H I C H

R E C E I V E S 2 P F O R E V E R Y T O N N E O F M A T E R I A L

S O L D , P L U S 1 0 0 % O F T H E P R O C E E D S F R O M S A L E S

O F W A I N W R I G H T ’ S H I S T O R Y B O O K .

S H E P T O N M A L L E T S K A T E P A R K paid for asphalt laying

help financing a community facility used by the elderly and young children

S T G I L E S C H U R C H ,L E I G H O N M E N D I P

event sponsorship

C O L E F O R D R E V I V A L G R O U P M U S I C D A Y

a new fence and pathway for the sensory garden

S T O K E S T M I C H A E L P R I M A R Y S C H O O L

event sponsorship

F A I R F I E L D F A R M C O L L E G E H O R S E & D O G S H O W

F R O M E F E S T I V A L

event sponsorship

S O N G S F O R T H E M E M O R Y

funding Frome group for one year

event sponsorship

S H E P T O N M A L L E T F I R E W O R K S

C O R S T O N C H U R C H

sponsorship of charity concert

M E N D I P R O C K S

sponsorship and programme printing

Joni Stoker with supporters of the Doulting Bus Shelter project, which received financial support

from the Futures Foundation

Documents

ROCKFACE - Wainwright · 2018. 6. 27. · Editor: Tim Gibson Editorial Consultant: Joni Stoker Design & Origination: George Bridgeman Additional Photography: Ian Sweetman DESIGN &