Moulding Together!

Summer 2016, Issue 8

Storming the Charity Totals for St Ann's Hospice A big well done to everyone for their fantastic commitment in raising well over £2000 for our charity of the year, St Ann's Hospice. As a testament to our amazing fundraising efforts, we were in the top 5% of fundraisers on the Just Giving website for May ­ this is something that we should all be very proud of. We are thrilled with our Manchester 10K team who not only completed the course last month, but also raised a whopping £1074. The team, which included Steven Nicholson, Nick Woods, Paul Southern, Phil Barnard, Phil Mawdsley and Rob Hurst all enjoyed the atmosphere and support of the crowds, as well as the great personal achievement of raising funds for the Hospice. Steven Nicholson was fastest in the team and completed the course in a very speedy 45m 37s and Rob Hurst raised the most sponsorship at £407. This run makes our total to date, £2,374. If you want to direct friends and family to our fundraising page, please go to www.justgiving.com/WHoward. Pictured are Nick Woods, Phil Barnard, Steven Nicholson, Phil Mawdsley, Rob Hurst and Paul Southern.

Hello and welcome to our summer newsletter! We’ve reached the halfway point of what has been an exceptionally busy year so far, with the promise of plenty more activity to come… So far, business has been brisk with plenty of volume but as ever there has been quite a bit of downward price pressure. But our drive to ensure that we deliver on time has not only helped us to ward­off competition, but it has helped us regain business previously lost to cheaper prices.

Our newsletters are always full of positive news and achievements, but perhaps this one more than most is one that we ought to be very proud of as we celebrate some amazing contributions in support of St Ann’s Hospice. There has also been a whole raft of brilliant achievements by members of staff who have worked so hard to pass the courses they have undertaken. I don’t have the words to express my admiration for all that have contributed to the fundraising or for those who have taken the challenge of further education ­ you are a total credit to yourselves and it’s wonderful for the business to be able to work in support of you.

I’m sure everybody enjoyed what has now become the annual race day at Haydock Park. It was great to see such a good turnout and hopefully nobody lost their shirt!

As ever, we look forward as a Group and we have already invested in a new Turanlar post­forming machine at Polyco, a new Amada Press Brake at Eccleston Engineering and we have placed orders for a new H&M Cross­Cut and Trenching machine at Unit 4 and a very significant investment with Makor and Weinig to upgrade Line 2 at Astley at the end of the year. R C Perry is now fully operational within Unit 4 as we look to grow that business. Should you pass Astley MOT, you will see that we now sell AA approved used cars as part of the package from the forecourt.

So let’s all retain our focus for the second half of the year and make sure that we are in prime condition to stay ahead of the rest and take this positive momentum into 2017.

Graham

Issue 8 ∙ Summer 2016

A Warm Welcome! A big welcome to everyone who has joined us over the past few months. A big hello to... Matt Morris who is our new Apprentice at Astley MOT. Matt is one year into his apprenticeship and is looking forward to continuing his excellent progress supported by everyone at Astley MOT.

Matt Morris

Lukasz Sulej – Production Astley, Joiner Craig Hall – Production PM Astley, Process Worker Kelly Glover – Unit 1 Greenfold Court, Site Cleaner Matthew Morris – Astley MOT, apprentice mechanic Louise Taylor – Office Astley, Sales co­ordinator (also pictured with the office group on pg5) Madaliene (Maddy) Higginson – Office Astley, Group Assistant Accountant (also pictured with the office group on pg5).

Training Talent and NVQ Successes

The Group enjoyed an encouraging and positive response from employees wishing to take up training opportunities during the last 12 months and we are delighted with the motivation and enthusiasm employees have demonstrated in volunteering to take on these development opportunities.

To commence a training programme requires commitment and determination, especially if you have been away from education for even a short length of time. We hope that these first successes will encourage others to consider the positive benefits training can offer to all.

The Group recognises the value of engaging properly with all employees and the sponsorship and support of any employee that wishes to improve him or herself. The scope of opportunities is not limited to work specific qualifications, instead we have taken the approach that self­improvement on any level, be it literacy skills, numeracy skills or more vocational skills will only improve the self­esteem of individuals and by extension the effectiveness of their performance within the business. Please talk to Ann about the opportunities that might be suitable for you. A big congratulations to everyone who has just completed NVQ’s. Karen, Karen and Helen completed NVQ’s in Customer Service and Becci and Nicola in Business Administration. Karen Mercer and Helen are continuing to the next NVQ level immediately. Ann McLoughlin completed CIPD Level 5 in HR Management.

Pictured left to right being presented by our sales director Phil, is Karen Boardman; external sales development co­ordinator, Helen Jones; sales office manager, Becci Brandish; business support/ reception, Nicola Collingwood; purchase ledger, Ann

McLoughlin; HR manager, Karen Mercer, sales co­ordinator.

Issue 8 ∙ Summer 2016

R C Perry & Eccleston Move Locally in Leigh We have acquired a site on Greenfold Way in Leigh, Lancashire to relocate two of our businesses, Eccleston Engineering and RC Perry. This exciting move will see the Group expand our offering of sheet metal fabrication, welding and design and we hope that the eight­strong team based there will enjoy the new space. Amongst other things, our planned investment into the new premises include a complete refurbishment of the unit and the acquisition of a £120k Amada 7 Axis 100 tonne Press Brake which will assist production capacity. Also importantly, the new site which is located just five minutes from the M6 will offer ease of accessibility for customers in addition to car parking, whilst the move provides meeting rooms and in­house facilities for our growing team. The move has been featured in several of the region’s business news websites.

Getting to Know You In this edition we have questions answered by two team members... Over to John Clarke… Your age 55 Job Title Production Manager at Polyco Married / Single/ any children? Married to Collette for 33 years and we have three sons, Matty, JP and Elliot. How long have you worked for W Howard Group? I have worked at Polyco for just over two years. Where did you work prior to W Howard Group? I ran a very similar company for Richard Burbidge for 15 years, though I am a printer by trade. What kind of music do you like? Anything apart from R&B and Trash metal. I was at Glastonbury on my 55th birthday trying to convince everyone I am the successor to John Peel’s music crown. What was your very first album? I bought Lou Reed’s Transformer album and David Bowies Hunky Dory album on the very same day. I honestly didn’t think I could work the day Bowie died. Do you have any pets? There is more crying here as we lost our family pet dog just before Christmas. Loved that dog but no more pets. If you were sent into the jungle what 3 items would you take with you? I­pod, Bull Dog anti­aging cream and a picture of the Liverpool team that won the European cup on the 25/05/1977. What would be your dream car? Wouldn’t be a car but most certainly a classic Vespa scooter. If you could have dinner with any celebrity dead or alive who would it be and why? Bill Shankly as he saved me from blue claws. After seeing him on tele as a 7 year old I knew what team I was going to follow no matter what! I could listen to him all day. What is your most memorable moment? Being called Dad! What is your most embarrassing moment? They all stem from me saying the wrong thing at the wrong moment in front of the wrong people. However I learnt from those mistakes. Do you have any party trick (please keep it clean) I have a pirate tattoo on my foot that winks when I pull my big toe up. I also do a mean version of Radiohead’s Creep on the karaoke. Describe yourself in 3 words Honest, Hard­working and a hippie at heart. What is the best thing about working at W.Howard Group? I believe the W.Howard’s Employee engagement is genuine and think Ann has done an excellent job in this field. Who do you nominate to do the next getting to know you? Mark Rivers, our supervisor here at Polyco

And Dave Singleton.. Your age Don’t be cheeky! Job Title Line Leader Married / Single/ any children? Married with two children How long have you worked for W Howard Group? Ten and a half years Where did you work prior to W Howard Group? Prison Service What kind of music do you like? Various What was your very first album? Never mind the Bollocks, the Sex Pistols Do you have any pets? No If you were sent into the jungle what 3 items would you take with you? Set of darts, dart board and a fly swatter What would be your dream car? Rolls Royce If you could have dinner with any celebrity dead or alive who would it be and why? Roberto Martinez ­ led little Wigan to FA Cup glory What is your most memorable moment? Completion of military training What is your most embarrassing moment? Too embarrassed to say Do you have any party trick (please keep it clean) No Describe yourself in 3 words What is the best thing about working at W.Howard Group? Diligent, gregarious and witty Who do you nominate to do the next getting to know you? Neale Shepherd

Issue 8 ∙ Summer 2016

When Not at Work Phil Mawdsley is an FLT Driver based at our Astley depot.

Outside of his day­job at W Howard, Phil who is highly trained in multiple martial arts spends his time training and teaching; sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience with others interested in the disciplines and techniques of the ancient forms.

Phil began in his training in Karate aged 16 in 1994 as a hobby and took to martial arts straight away. He accelerated progression through the gradings from white to black black­belt within 6 years studying single­sword Katas (a pattern of movements). To pass a black­belt grading involves 5 solid hours of physical exercise ending with sparring against fully trained instructors. In 2002 Phil took up Thai boxing and next moved to freestyle mixed martial arts.

For the last 7 years Phil has trained at the Heywood Academy where he is a level 1 full­time instructor in Taekwondo, Karate, Kick­boxing, Floor work and Jujitsu and specialises in weapons; knives, sticks and swords. Phil trains at seminars across the UK in association with MPSK: weapons, sparring meditation and body conditioning, and is an IEB qualified examiner with responsibility for conducting martial arts gradings. Phil progressed at the Academy from white to 3rd Dan black­belt in 7 years and trained in Thai Boxing for 8 years with Sandy Holt, Champion kick­boxer.

Phil took up martial arts as a hobby but enjoys how inclusive it is as a sport. The courses he conducts teach children stranger defence, how to deter bullies and avoid verbal as well as physical abuse, teaches adults, and those with disabilities such as the hearing impaired and speaks positively of the possibilities of overcoming a physical disability within martial arts including training to enhance the stronger muscles and overcome a physical weakness. Martial arts can build self­confidence and self­expression but also instil discipline and restraint.

Phil is up for selection to fight for Team GB with MPSK martial arts Peterborough during 2017. Good Luck Phil!

Employee Recognition In this newsletter we would like to congratulate the following people for their efforts: Production – Dean Bailey – For working hard, showing flexibility in his approach and his ability to cover and run any of the 4 lines. Production – Wes Hunt – For his excellent attitude towards work on a day to day basis. Since starting with the business Wes has shown great enthusiasm and is now undergoing line leader training. Polyco – Michelle Bancroft – For her exceptional and clear planning to enhance complicated project work using expensive materials. Michelle has directed use of materials/veneers to the highest level. As a company we are proud of all who took part in these projects, but Michelle’s prep work was a major key to their success. Well done! Polyco – David Daniel – David has shown great initiative, self­motivation and time management skills in consistently and effectively utilising time when working on the slower running Mayer Beam Saw by moving stock, servicing machines, taking deliveries, feeding line 4. Well done Dai. Logistics – Danny Brady and Jack Weaver – To both for consistently working regular overtime at the beginning of April to provide essential resource at a critical time. Danny and Jack recognised the detrimental effect and widespread impact an unavoidable and unplanned period of absence would have on Logistics. Their loyalty to maintaining service levels by putting in extra hours when it mattered to the business and whilst under no obligation to do so deserves recognition. Office – Amanda ­ Accounts ­ During W Howard Group's recent bank audit, the external auditor commented that our record keeping was outstanding after looking at our credit control policies and sale ledger records. Full credit goes to Amanda.

Polyco’s David Daniel

Phil Mawdsley in action

Issue 8 ∙ Summer 2016

In his own words Phil Barnard tells us more about his career with W.Howard. When did you first join the business "January 2003" What attracted you to the business "I got to know W.Howard through a family friend Graeme Sheridan at our accountants Jackson Stephen. They were looking to employ a salesperson and I was looking for a job after graduating from university. He put me in touch with the business after telling me that they were really good people and were in the process of building a strong successful business." What was your first role "Trainee Sales Representative" Why you think W.Howard stands out as a good employer "Where should I begin? Ultimately the business is lead by good honest people who care about their people." What you are looking forward to in your new role "I'm looking forward to us as a business taking new product ranges to the market and us collectively working to make them successful."

Happy Birthday! Congratulations to Thomas Bromley from Polyco who has celebrated a significant birthday over the past few months.

Thomas Bromley

Our Sales Team Restructures Phil Barnard's appointment in June as Sales Director for W Howard & Polyco Ltd addresses an absolute need to deliver greater cohesion between our internal and external sales functions for the benefit of our customers. Two of Phil's most important objectives are to make it easier for our customers to deal with us and to introduce new products and commercial offers that add value for those customers. A key appointment in establishing markets and customers for those new products is David McDonnell who becomes Business Development Director. Working in support of Phil, David brings to the table invaluable market experience and knowledge. David will manage key accounts focusing on new product and new market development for W Howard, Polyco and the export market.

Dave and Phil

The roles of Karen, Nick, Louise and Helen support the new sales team structure. Maddy has been appointed to support accounting across the Group LLP's Louise Taylor – Sales co­ordinator Helen Jones – Sales Office Manager Nick Woods – Accreditation Manager / Estimating Karen Boardman – External Sales Development And Maddy Higginson – Group Assistant Accountant Maddy has been appointed to support accounting across the Group LLP's

Louise, Maddy, Helen, Nick and Karen

Issue 8 ∙ Summer 2016

Haydock 2016 There was a great turnout this year for our Haydock Races Summer event with 55 of us making the journey to enjoy breakfast and a get­together with work­mates trackside. The weather held out just for long enough for some of our more sensitive foreheads to sport a post­race tan, and our fashion conscious to test­drive this seasons festival poncho look. Polyco opted to set sail on the high seas from Aberystwyth this weekend for their Summer event! Bon voyage and enjoy, Polyco!

Issue 8 ∙ Summer 2016

Issue 8 ∙ Summer 2016