ROCKFACE THE WAINWRIGHT NEWSLETTER

SPRING / SUMMER 2018

ISSUE 15 WELCOME

It 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 And, fundamentally, it is why we established outreach work among young people in our the Wainwright Futures Foundation in communities. Or through individual gestures 2016. On course to have distributed well like taking part in charity challenges, or over £20,000 within just two years of its sponsoring colleagues as they test their launch, that is a legacy of which the current mettle in long-distance runs, cycle rides and generation of Wainwright employees can feel even boxing matches. very proud.

In these ways, the individuals in our company Of course, what makes it all possible is our participate in our corporate ethos. We have ongoing commercial success, which is also always cared about doing the right thing, well attested to in what follows by reference whether that’s in our treatment of people or to our high-profile resurfacing of the Castle the world around us. Combe Circuit, for instance, or our growing asphalt business. In the midst of challenging That is why I am pleased to nuture our market conditions, we’re consolidating our association with the Mid growth and building for the future. Agricultural Society, which led to us sponsoring its annual hedge-laying So allow me to pay tribute to the people who competition in February and celebrating an make Wainwright what it is, who understand ancient rural craft. It is why I am delighted to what we’re all about, are proud of it, and accept invitations as an ambassador for our work tirelessly to embody it day by day. business, and for our industry, speaking at public forums and ensuring our perspective Enjoy the read, and best wishes for the is heard. months ahead.

EDITORIAL Editor: Tim Gibson Editorial Consultant: Joni Stoker Design & Origination: George Bridgeman Additional Photography: Ian Sweetman Peter Barkwill, Chief Executive

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

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

PORTABLE FORMAT DOCUMENTS Rockface is also available in electronic format from www.wainwright.co.uk RACING AHEAD AT CASTLE COMBE

WAINWRIGHT CONTRACTING RECENTLY RESURFACED THE ICONIC RACEWAY IN WILTSHIRE.

If 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.

4 | Rockface: The Wainwright Newsletter Rockface: The Wainwright Newsletter | 5 RACING THROUGH THE AGES A BRIEF HISTORY OF CASTLE COMBE

Castle Combe was an RAF airbase cars, GTs and Formula Ford, as well during the Second World War, before as a Hot Hatch Challenge that has being decommissioned in 1948. Two proved wildly popular among fast-car years later, the first motorsport event enthusiasts from across Europe. took place on the newly opened racing circuit – a meet organised by In addition to being used as a Bristol Motorcycle and Light Car Club. backdrop for competitive motorsport, the circuit is open to the public It wasn’t long before Castle Combe for driving experiences and track Circuit became an important location days. These give visitors a chance to “After undertaking some resurfacing of the circuit in among car and motorcycle racing experience the thrill of driving on a 2015, Wainwright has maintained a strong relationship enthusiasts. Over the years, it has professional race track, with expert with Castle Combe,” said Matthew Moore, Wainwright’s WE’VE EFFECTIVELY DEMONSTRATED THE hosted Formula Three races as well tuition available from seasoned Operations Manager – Contracting. “We were then chosen as the British GT Championship. racing drivers. as the preferred contractor to resurface the rest of the VERSATILITY OF OUR PRODUCTS, AND track this year – a big project that we were delighted to Now, the circuit is home to three club To find out more about Castle Combe take on.” THE SKILL OF OUR SURFACING TEAM championships involving saloon Circuit, visit castlecombecircuit.co.uk 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.” Photos courtesy of Trackside Images, Tim Crisp & EDP Photo News

6 | Rockface: The Wainwright Newsletter Rockface: The Wainwright Newsletter | 7 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.” GETTING HANDS-ON WITH HEDGES

“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 CELEBRATING AN 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 ANCIENT RURAL CRAFT designed to enhance biodiversity.

As a result, hedge laying enjoyed a resurgence as a tried-and- WAINWRIGHT WAS PROUD TO SPONSOR THE MID-SOMERSET AGRICULTURAL tested means of creating attractive, livestock-proof boundaries that provide the ideal habitat for a variety of wildlife. SOCIETY’S ANNUAL HEDGE-LAYING COMPETITION IN FEBRUARY. 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 from left to right: Ian Harvey, Andrew Open, and professionals alike. overall winner Chris Chivers and Peter Barkwill

8 | Rockface: The Wainwright Newsletter Rockface: The Wainwright Newsletter | 9 Peter Barkwill and Cllr John Parham

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

On the week commencing Monday, 16 April, employees from Cllr Parham, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Governance and Corporate Wainwright joined volunteers from neighbouring quarry companies Services, said: “Congratulations to all of the quarry businesses that to pick litter from 13 miles of highways around their landholdings. were involved in this worthwhile project, it was a fantastic effort and you can absolutely see the difference they have made along the route. “This was a coordinated and important effort to overcome something that blights our nation,” explained Peter Barkwill. “Wherever I go, I see “We look forward to working with them all on future events and offer litter that’s been carelessly discarded, without a second thought to its support to see how in the future we can recycle as much of the litter THE WAINWRIGHT WAY impact on the environment or the people who live there. as possible.” “I don’t believe the government has the resources to deal with this problem effectively,” he continued. “So I asked the Mendip Quarry MAKING A DIFFERENCE TO THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT Producers (MQP) to help fund a week-long litter pick on our home TRASH TALK: THE HARD FACTS ABOUT LITTER patch. I’m delighted that they threw their weight behind it, and that we were supported by Council.” • £1 billion: the annual cost of clearing litter from the UK’s public spaces With traffic management and an ambitious programme of litter • 67.2m: the estimated number of individual pieces of litter collection, this was no token effort on the part of the quarry industry. dropped on Highways Agency roads per year Throughout the week, employees from Wainwright, Aggregate WAINWRIGHT EMPLOYEES SPENT • 7,000: the number of calls made to the RSPCA each year Industries, Tarmac, Hanson, and Morris & Perry could be seen in high- about animals injured by litter visibility jackets, clearing rubbish from verges, lay-bys and footpaths. A WEEK CLEARING LITTER FROM In total, they filled 550 bags with rubbish, as well as clearing larger • 69,000: the number of animals killed or injured by litter items such as discarded mattresses and microwave ovens. each year LOCAL ROADS AS PART OF AN • 62%: the proportion of the UK population that drops litter “I found it inspiring to be involved in this project,” said Paul Bishop, • 825,000: the number of reported fly-tipping cases in the UK a Surfacing Estimator at Wainwright. “I live locally, and I’m proud last year INDUSTRY-WIDE INITIATIVE. that our quarry companies have pulled together to improve the environment in this way.” • 95%: the proportion of farmers who have cleared other people’s rubbish from their land Mendip District Council and Somerset County Council issued live • £80: the amount you’ll get fined if caught dropping litter tweets throughout the week to raise awareness of the litter pick, and • 122 tonnes: the weight of cigarette butts dropped in the UK three District Councillors came to talk to volunteers on the final day. every single day They were Cllr Nigel Taylor, Cllr Philip Ham and Cllr John Parham.

10 | Rockface: The Wainwright Newsletter Rockface: The Wainwright Newsletter | 11 WE HAVE A GOOD RAPPORT AND A STRONG DESIRE TO DELIVER. THAT FEELS LIKE A RECIPE FOR ONGOING SUCCESS ”

MEET THE ASPHALT TEAM Asphalt Operatives David Rexworthy (top), Nathan Dix (below) AS WAINWRIGHT ASPHALT CONTINUES TO EXPAND, ROCKFACE CATCHES UP WITH THE TEAM AT THE MOONS HILL AND AVONMOUTH PRODUCTION FACILITIES.

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 MEET THE TEAM increase output and gain market share in the asphalt sector. At Moons Hill, the team has more than 115 years of combined After a further £1 million investment in the plant in 2012, it experience in the industry. It consists of Asphalt Operatives seemed clear that asphalt production would play a major part in Dave Kent, Fred Marks, Steve Cox, Andrew Stretton and Nathan Wainwright’s future. And with the construction of the £9 million Dix and Assistant Asphalt Plant Manager Robin Snow. Between Avonmouth Asphalt plant in 2016, that trajectory has continued them, they work around the clock – including an ever-growing – giving the company an even greater reach throughout the number of night shifts – to ensure a ready supply of materials for South West and beyond. projects of every size.

Of course, no amount of state-of-the-art machinery is sufficient At Avonmouth, the team has grown in response to the demands to ensure commercial success. Key to that is a team of high- of the fledgling business. It now consists of Asphalt Operatives quality people who are dedicated to their craft and willing to go Mo Gader, Tad Pumpalovicious and Richard Evans, Apprentice the extra mile. David Rexworthy, Asphalt Maintenance Supervisor Mick Day and Temporary Asphalt Plant Supervisor George Beer. Like their That’s exactly what you’ll find if you visit the asphalt facilities colleagues at Moons Hill, the Avonmouth team commit to long at Moons Hill and Avonmouth. Led by Asphalt Manager Jody hours in order to service the demand of customers throughout Bennett, who joined the company in September 2017, the the region. two teams play a vital role in Wainwright Asphalt’s continuing commercial success.

12 | Rockface: The Wainwright Newsletter Rockface: The Wainwright Newsletter | 13 STEPPING UP PRODUCTION Asphalt Operative Fred Marks makes a running repair 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 from left to right: Asphalt Operatives Mo Gader, Tad Pumpalovicious, Richard Evans 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, I CAN LEARN A HUGE AMOUNT FROM MY COLLEAGUES commitment and dedication. AN AVERAGE DAY? AND HAVE LOADS OF OPPORTUNITIES TO PROGRESS “We have a good rapport and a strong desire to deliver,” concludes “There’s no such thing as an ‘average’ day,” laughs Dave Kent when reflects. “I’m really enjoying working at Avonmouth and learning new Jody. “That feels like a recipe for ongoing success.” AND TAKE ON MORE RESPONSIBILITY asked to describe his working patterns. “Usually, some of the team skills. It’s a very supportive environment.” 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 Andrew, Mo and Nathan are also acquiring new qualifications while 5pm – but there’s often a requirement to stay late if demand is high, or on the job. Although not formally apprentices, they are studying if there’s been a breakdown. And we’ve been picking up a lot of night alongside David and other trainees on a programme being delivered ” work recently, which changes the pattern again.” between Wainwright, Morris & Perry and SM Morris. “It’s a great opportunity to receive some helpful training,” says Mo. “It’ll certainly This speaks of the commitment of the team to getting the job done. help advance our careers in the future.” 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.”

FEELING VALUED

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 Assistant Asphalt Plant Manager (Moons Hill) Robin Snow feel excited by the prospect of building a career with Wainwright,” he

14 | Rockface: The Wainwright Newsletter Rockface: The Wainwright Newsletter | 15 Lisa Saunders and Peter Barkwill

Job

Ethics & Diversity Relationships

Culture Personal Development

Engagement Work-life Balance Communications

Steve and Debs Urch, with Justin Thorner (centre)

Empowerment, Change Involvement & Consultation

ENGAGE FOR SUCCESS Benefits Pay

WAINWRIGHT’S RECENT EMPLOYEE SURVEY REVEALED A HAPPY AND FULFILLED WORKFORCE. HERE’S A GUIDE TO SOME OF THE FINDINGS.

When Wainwright’s HR team issued an employee survey at the start Wainwright is a company on the move, with changes being made that of January 2018, it was the first major canvass of the workforce’s are beneficial to everyone, and with a strong corporate brand. opinions ever undertaken. The questionnaire asked a variety of 91% enjoy their job 85% feel secure in 86% agree that 80% feel that 56% are happy with questions concerning the attitudes and experiences of Wainwright’s “Despite the very favourable findings of the survey, there are areas their job Wainwright has a Wainwright is a their pay staff, and nearly two thirds of the team responded. where we can improve,” continued Lisa. “For example, staff want reassurance that their pay is comparable to that offered by other strong corporate values-driven “Employee surveys are a really good way to take the temperature of employers in the industry, and they would like better internal brand business a workforce,” explained HR Director Lisa Saunders. “By encouraging communications, so they have a sense of ownership over our strategic honest responses from team-members, we gain valuable insights direction as a business.” into issues like staff motivation, retention, satisfaction and prospects. Kate and Andrew Open That can then inform an HR strategy, which is reviewed by means of To respond to these concerns, the HR team will set up an employee an annual survey.” forum that will improve communication among employees and enable information to be cascaded throughout the workforce. In The findings of Wainwright’s survey were encouraging for a business addition, specific measures such as salary benchmarking and the that has been on a journey of growth over recent years. They showed a publication of annual value statements that show details of staff contented workforce, with the majority feeling they are paid fairly and benefits will give employees a better understanding of their worth to have a sense of loyalty to the company. Moreover, 89% of respondents the company. said they feel a sense of achievement in their work, and 90% said they were willing to “go the extra mile for Wainwright”. Commenting on the process, Financial Director Brian Rexworthy said: “The employee survey has been a great initiative, and I thank Lisa and Staff showed high degrees of satisfaction in areas such as the quality Kirsty [HR Advisor] for their work in making it happen. The insights of relationships they enjoy with colleagues, personal development yielded by the process will help us ensure Wainwright continues to opportunities, and with the benefits they receive. A further striking be a great employer, where people come first and are given every feature of the survey was that staff feel inspired by the sense that opportunity to succeed.”

16 | Rockface: The Wainwright Newsletter Rockface: The Wainwright Newsletter | 17 INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION WAINWRIGHT AND THE SOMERSET EARTH SCIENCE CENTRE HAVE TEAMED UP TO RAISE AWARENESS OF CAREERS IN QUARRYING AMONG LOCAL STUDENTS.

Few would deny that the quarrying industry faces a challenge to recruit “This was a great opportunity to make connections in an important BUSINESS TRAINING FOR the next generation of workers. While there are notable exceptions, local school,” remarked Lisa. “The quarry industry doesn’t feature BTEC STUDENTS including many of the fresh faces at Wainwright, the sector as a whole high on students’ list of potential employers, so it’s great to raise struggles to establish a talent pipeline of young people. awareness in this way. We have such a range of roles available in local On Friday, 23 March, 17 BTEC Business Studies students from the Blue companies. It’s important to ensure young people are aware of just School came for a day at the Somerset Earth Science Centre. Lisa and To help overcome the challenge, Wainwright and the Somerset Earth what a fulfilling career could be available to them.” Kirsty each presented an interactive workshop: the first about business Science Centre have developed a joint programme of educational management and the second about CV writing. outreach activities. By engaging with local schools and colleges, they GIRL POWER hope to raise awareness of the wealth of opportunities available in The students also enjoyed a quarry tour and a workshop about Public the quarrying industry, inspiring the next generation to join local Thursday, 8 March saw Lisa, Kirsty and Gill return to the Blue School Relations by Wainwright’s Communications Director, Tim Gibson, companies and progress their careers. to take part in a day-long Girl Power event. Held on International before undergoing a mock interview with a quarrying professional in Women’s Day, it was designed to inspire female students to pursue a the afternoon. Here’s a guide to some of the activities undertaken by the team since career in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM)-related the start of 2018. fields. By assessing students against a real-world job specification and examining their CVs, the interviewers – who came from a number of local CAREERS FAIRS & ASSEMBLIES Wearing their Personal Protection Equipment and speaking with quarry and quarry-related companies – provided valuable experience of enthusiasm about the industry, they showed how stimulating it can the selection process for any job. Their feedback empowered students On Wednesday, 28 February, Wainwright HR Director Lisa Saunders be to work in quarrying. Gill brought along a blast simulator, giving at an age when they are getting ready to enter the world of work, helping and HR Advisor Kirsty Byrne accompanied Somerset Earth Science some of the students an opportunity to fire the detonator – something to prepare them for the rigours of job applications and interviews. Centre Manager Dr Gill Odolphie to a careers fair at the Wells Blue that proved both exciting and motivating for the girls who attended. School. They put up a display about quarrying practices and “It’s daunting when you’re at the start of your career,” said Kirsty Byrne. local geology as well as delivering a series of workshops about “There’s a huge amount about the quarry environment that is both “We hope that our input helped equip students with important skills apprenticeships in the industry. intellectually demanding and physically enjoyable,” said Gill. “Our for the next phase in their lives, as well as engendering an appreciation hope at this event was to communicate some of that to these young of the prospects available within our industry. Whether they want to Later in the spring, on Monday, 12 and Tuesday, 13 March, Lisa led two women, so they see the potential of a career in quarrying.” work in HR, PR, education, engineering, operational roles, or finance, assemblies at the school in which she spoke in more detail about the quarrying companies have a huge range of positions to fill, and a real SESC Manager Dr Gill Odolphie with a student at Wells Blue School innovative apprenticeship programmes that Wainwright is involved in desire to attract young people.” delivering (see page 31).

18 | Rockface: The Wainwright Newsletter Rockface: The Wainwright Newsletter | 19 NEW WELFARE FOR WORKSHOP

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!

STAFF ACCESS IMPROVES 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.

QUARRY NEWS

A HANDFUL OF HIGHLIGHTS FROM WAINWRIGHT’S QUARRY OPERATION OVER RECENT MONTHS. MOONS HILL GAINS STAR QUALITY POOR WEATHER IS 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 SNOW BOTHER FOR JCB! provided a perfect backdrop for the video, which also featured Wainwright’s recently purchased Volvo EC750E excavator. When the weather turned snowy, Wainwright’s new JCB 540-17 Telehandler was deployed to clear the way around the Old Road near Moons Hill. “The machine coped admirably with the PEDESTRIAN poor conditions,” said Operations Director Wayne McKeown, WALKWAYS “making a valuable contribution to keeping the highway clear for local people.” 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.”

20 | Rockface: The Wainwright Newsletter Rockface: The Wainwright Newsletter | 21 SOMERSET EARTH SCIENCE CENTRE

IT’S ALWAYS BUSY AT THE SOMERSET EARTH SCIENCE CENTRE. SO WHAT’S BEEN GOING ON IN RECENT MONTHS? CAN YOU SPOT THE OTTER?

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!”

22 | Rockface: The Wainwright Newsletter Rockface: The Wainwright Newsletter | 23 FROME COLLEGE VISIT 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.”

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS AT THE SESC AONB YOUTH The 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 • 30 visitors came from two local geology groups in always give them an opportunity for some physical February, ready to learn more about the unique labour,” explains Juliet Lawn, Education Officer at geology of the Mendip Hills the centre. “This year, they helped us cut down some invasive laurel from the lakeside – something that • A group of apprentices from Wainwright, Morris & Perry proved a welcome chore alongside a quarry tour and and SM Morris are using the centre as a base for the some presentations in the classroom.” classroom learning on their 15-month course

• The Central Division of the Somerset Beekeepers’ A LAND OF OPPORTUNITY Middle and bottom: Workshop Fitter Nigel Atwell with students from Association continues to meet at the centre on a Frome College A group of people with learning difficulties visited the centre in February as part of a regular basis project in which they were learning about rocks. • A weekly yoga class is now taking place at the centre. Six visitors came from Westhay Opportunity Centre, a day centre providing support Wainwright employees have a chance to test their with life skills and academic development. They were given some input by Somerset flexibility and ease their mind on Tuesday evenings Earth Science Centre staff about the variety of rocks found in the Mendips before IT WAS A JOY TO WELCOME THESE PROMISING YOUNG from 5.45pm heading out to Whatley Quarry for a tour. STUDENTS TO MOONS HILL, AND GIVE THEM A TASTE OF THE • The centre will be hosting an event about the British Geological Survey as part of May’s national Geoweek Speaking about the event, Gill Odolphie said: “We all had a great day, and plan to initiative. The event will be held at Hanson’s Batts work together again to provide an event for eight more visitors from Westhay. It is an INDUSTRY IN ACTION Combe Quarry, near Wells inspiring initiative to be involved with. We all learned a great deal from each other.”

24 | Rockface: The Wainwright Newsletter ” Rockface: The Wainwright Newsletter | 25 “Wainwright has a great reputation for quality, and we’re keen to keep on building on that in the future.” George Beer (left) and Nathan Dix

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 QUALITY 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.” IN FOCUS This is a theme that Andy feels passionate about: namely, that quality requires commitment from everyone involved in the TECHNICAL DIRECTOR ANDY company. “Whether an employee works cleaning the kitchen or specifying ROBINSON IS DRIVING A CAMPAIGN asphalt requirements, in the quarry as a loading shovel operator or in head office as a financial assistant, it is important to maintain TO SAFEGUARD THE HIGHEST QUALITY the highest standards,” he says. “That will ensure our customers always receive the very best products and service, and that STANDARDS AT WAINWRIGHT. HERE’S everything we do is focussed on quality.”

WHAT IT TAKES TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS. 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 WAINWRIGHT HAS A GREAT REPUTATION FOR QUALITY, AND all Wainwright’s staff to have awareness of the requirements of WE’RE KEEN TO KEEP ON BUILDING ON THAT IN THE FUTURE 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 ISO 9001 AT A GLANCE 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, ISO 9000 is a family of international standards that companies working together to achieve success.” 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.

26 | Rockface: The Wainwright Newsletter Rockface: The Wainwright Newsletter | 27 Stacey Howe AROUND WAINWRIGHT

RUNNING AWAY WITH HERSELF

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 Steve Urch reports, “and they’ve encouraged me throughout my journey. I was able to run a mile (and main image) 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 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 STAYING Wainwright’s team to set herself a physical challenge. Surfacing SAFE IN Commercial Manager Steve Urch will CYBERSPACE be competing in the Granfodo cycle race in Wales in May. This epic race is 103 miles in length, and involves Wainwright has been awarded an industry- more than 8,000ft of climbing. standard Cyber Essential Certificate, underscoring the security of its Information Meanwhile, Surfacing Estimator Technology. Daniel Grant took part in the Ultimate White Collar Boxing Event The certification is awarded to businesses at Bristol on Sunday, 14 April. Daniel who can demonstrate that they pay close and undertook an eight-week intensive careful attention to cyber security. It provides training programme and was customers and suppliers with valuable peace of delighted to win his fight. “I entered mind, and is often required when contracting to to raise money for Cancer Research central government. UK, which is a really worthwhile “It’s reassuring to know that Wainwright’s cause,” he reported. “But I definitely security systems are of the very highest wanted to come out on top.” standards,” said Brian Rexworthy, Financial Director. “Achieving the Cyber Essentials Well done, Daniel, Steve and Stacey! certification provided a helpful opportunity Daniel Grant to check our technology and ensure we are (photo credit - ultrawhitecollarboxing.co.uk) protected from the risk of a cyber attack.”

28 | Rockface: The Wainwright Newsletter Rockface: The Wainwright Newsletter | 29 The group of apprentices at the Somerset Earth Science Centre

NEW APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME GOES LIVE LEE SEVIOUR

A new apprenticeship pathway has been “The apprenticeship provides a mixture of PROMOTED TO launched in a partnership between hands-on training and classroom-based Wainwright, SM Morris and Morris & Perry. learning, delivered at the Somerset Earth DIRECTORSHIP Science Centre,” explained HR Director Lisa The new scheme involves four Wainwright Saunders. “It’s a great way for our staff to Lee Seviour has been promoted employees: Asphalt Operatives Mo Gader, develop their skills and earn at the same time. to the role of Contracting Director Nathan Dix, Andrew Stretton, and David It ensures our asphalt team have an influx of at Wainwright. Since rejoining the Rexworthy. The first three were existing new talent, who are gaining crucial real-world company as Surfacing Manager members of Wainwright’s staff, and David experience and learning about technical in 2016, Lee has helped drive joined the company in January 2018 to take aspects of their roles.” substantial growth. Now, as the up his apprenticeship. surfacing division continues to expand, it has been rebranded from left to right: Stacey Howe, Paul Bishop, Wainwright Contracting, with Lee Kevin Saunders and James Beer as its figurehead. Peter Barkwill “It’s a great privilege to take on STAFF VOLUNTEERING this senior management role in Paul Bishop Wainwright Contracting, and in DAYS ARE BIG SUCCESS the company more widely,” Lee stated. “I’ve relished returning Staff from Wainwright have participated in two volunteering days to the company after a period for the Somerset Wildlife Trust, making a positive contribution to working elsewhere, and I believe the local landscape. our contracting operation is growing at an impressive, but The first, on Thursday, 18 January, involved a team of Wainwright sustainable, rate. I look forward employees coppicing at Harridge Woods, just three miles from to working with the team to Moons Hill. deliver continued expansion in the months and years ahead.” The second event took place on Thursday, 26 April, and involved dry-stone walling at . Meanwhile, Matthew Moore has PETER NAMED IN TOP 50 ENTREPRENEURS been promoted to the role of “These volunteering days are a great opportunity for Wainwright Operations Manager – Contracting. He will work alongside Lee and employees to take time away from work and make a difference to Wainwright Chief Executive Peter Barkwill something that’s only been possible with Commercial Manager Steve the environment around them,” said Operations Director Wayne has been named by a magazine as one of the the support of a brilliant team of people. Urch in ensuring the operational McKeown. “It’s an important part of our corporate culture to get South West’s top 50 entrepreneurs. Long may we continue to build success as efficiency of the business. involved in such events, and I know the staff involved enjoyed a business, bringing jobs and wealth to our themselves immensely.” In a feature that appears in the January –March region and beyond.” 2018 issue of Business Leader magazine, Wainwright’s long-serving leader was listed alongside high-profile businesspeople such In another reflection of his influence in the THESE VOLUNTEERING DAYS ARE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR as Dragon’s Den star Deborah Meaden, South West, Peter was recently invited by Pensions Direct founder Adam Norris, and Barclays and KPMG to participate in a panel WAINWRIGHT EMPLOYEES TO TAKE TIME AWAY FROM WORK AND the duo behind Pieminister, Jon Simon and discussion about diversity in the workplace. Tristan Hogg. Held in Bristol on International Women’s MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO THE ENVIRONMENT AROUND THEM Day, the event attracted a mix of business “It’s a great honour to be included in such people and academics, and Peter was company,” Peter remarked. “I think it’s a invited to share insights about Wainwright’s reflection of the dramatic growth Wainwright efforts to encourage a more ethnically ” has seen over recent years – which is varied and gender-diverse workforce. 30 | Rockface: The Wainwright Newsletter Rockface: The Wainwright Newsletter | 31 PLANNING STAFF PERMISSION CHANGES AS WAINWRIGHT CONTINUES TO EXPAND AND DEVELOP, WE’RE PLEASED TO WELCOME THE SECURED FOR FOLLOWING NEW STAFF: Paul Norris, Surfacing Supervisor David Rexworthy, Apprentice Asphalt Plant Operative MOONS Jon Perry, Surfacing Operative Edward Coate, Quarry Intern Richard Carey, Credit Controller Denis Reynolds, Tractor Driver HILL TIPS Rob Spillane, Viafix Plant Operative Matthew Kirkwood, Viafix / Asphalt Plant Operative AFTER A DEVELOPMENT

PROCESS LASTING FIVE WE BID FAREWELL AND GOOD LUCK YEARS, WAINWRIGHT TO THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE: HAS SECURED PLANNING Richard Faulkner, Asphalt Plant Operative PERMISSION TO DEVELOP Adrian Fisher, Asphalt Plant Manager Paul Holding, Estates Operative NEW MINERAL WASTE TIPS Shannon D’Arcy, Administrative Assistant AT MOONS HILL. Nick Butler, Safety, Health and Environment Manager Audrius Mejeris, Tractor Driver Joe McGuinness, Trainee Lab Technician The proposal was approved at a Somerset County Council planning Rhys Jervis, Surfacing Supervisor committee meeting on Thursday, 12 April 2018. It was first lodged with the council in 2016. Val Barton. Weighbridge Operative

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

Under the new scheme, Wainwright will extend one tip and construct two Jody Bennett, to be Temporary Manager new tips, creating a total of 3.3 million cubic metres (6 million tonnes) of of both Asphalt Plants additional tipping space and safeguarding quarry operations at Moons Hill for the next 15 years. Robin Snow, moved to Moons Hill as Assistant Asphalt Plant Manager “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 CONGRATULATIONS TO THESE region’s only deposit of basalt – something that provides important economic benefit to the local area.” PEOPLE, WHO HAVE BEEN PROMOTED

As well as contributing to economic and social vibrancy, not least by Lee Seviour, now Contracting Director safeguarding up to 100 jobs, the planning permission will yield significant long-term gains for the natural environment. Once complete, the scheme Matthew Moore, now Operations Manager – Contracting will create 17.3 hectares of species-rich grassland, 0.7 hectares of ponds, George Beer, now Temporary Asphalt two hectares of woodland and 1,471 metres of hedgerow. These enriched Plant Supervisor (Avonmouth) landscapes will greatly enhance biodiversity, enabling rare or threatened species to thrive.

32 | Rockface: The Wainwright Newsletter Rockface: The Wainwright Newsletter | 33 Joni Stoker with supporters of the Doulting Bus Shelter project, which received financial support from the Futures Foundation

STOKE ST MICHAEL PRIMARY SCHOOL a new fence and pathway for the sensory garden

SHEPTON MALLET SKATE PARK paid for asphalt laying

SHEPTON MALLET FIREWORKS event sponsorship

FAIRFIELD FARM COLLEGE COLEFORD REVIVAL HORSE & DOG SHOW GROUP MUSIC DAY WAINWRIGHT FUTURES FOUNDATION event sponsorship event sponsorship

SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 2016, THE WAINWRIGHT CORSTON CHURCH FUTURES FOUNDATION HAS AWARDED NEARLY sponsorship of charity concert £20,000 TO WORTHWHILE COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS IN THE LOCAL AREA.

FROME FESTIVAL HERE ARE SOME OF THE BENEFICIARIES OF event sponsorship WAINWRIGHT’S CHARITABLE FUND, WHICH RECEIVES 2P FOR EVERY TONNE OF MATERIAL SOLD, PLUS 100% OF THE PROCEEDS FROM SALES OF WAINWRIGHT’S HISTORY BOOK. ST GILES CHURCH, LEIGH ON MENDIP MENDIP ROCKS SONGS FOR THE MEMORY help financing a community facility used sponsorship and programme printing funding Frome group for one year by the elderly and young children

34 | Rockface: The Wainwright Newsletter Rockface: The Wainwright Newsletter | 35