There was an impressive twelve nominations for May’s award all of whom went above and beyond their daily remit. 
Thank you to you all for your fantastic efforts. They were:
Dave – Batcher at Scarborough Plant, for helping a customer who was deaf and could not speak. Dave’s manner was friendly, helpful and he went out of his way to ensure the customer was helped and got what he needed whilst also taking a delivery at the time!
Andy Beresford – Quarry Operative at Dove Holes. Andy offered to come into work on a Bank Holiday Monday to make sure that there was sufficient stone on the surge pile to cover trains for the Monday night. Not many people would be willing to do that! Thank you Andy.
Jenna Swain – Submissions Manager, for her pivotal role in organising and running the recent Asphalt Conference which was the best one ever according to feedback from the attendees. Much of her work goes on behind the scenes unnoticed and without her efforts the conference wouldn’t have been such a success.
Noel Dixon and Tony Connolly – Technical Systems Manager and Process and Automation Manager. Noel and Tony are always at the end of a phone for help and advice no matter what time of day you call them. IT and SAP issues can be very frustrating but it is always good to know that there is help a phone call away.
Michael McGrath and Stephen Cuthbert – Wharf Operative and Assistant Wharf Manager at Jarrow. Due to a ‘perfect storm’ of circumstances beyond their control, of the usual five site Operatives in work there was only Michael and Steve on Monday 15th May. By amazing team work and careful planning they were able to work the site together and continue to serve customers safely. Just short of 2,000 tonnes was dispatched that day which was one of the busiest days of 2017 so far! Well done to a great team.
Karen Jamieson and Simeon Winston – Aggregate Sales. Due to staff resignations the team was really short staffed and Karen and Simeon have both stepped up to the plate brilliantly by taking on extra responsibilities so much so that customers have remarked how well they did. Both have had a really positive attitude and remained cheerful throughout whilst recruitment took place.
Elizabeth Dixon, Danielle Cullinane, David Rogers, Emma Broome, George Davison, Bradley Attwood, Scott Gedrim and Alistair Smith – East Customer Service & Planning Team, Aggregates Supply Chain. Earlier this year we announced that the Aggregates Customer Service & Planning office in Thorpe would close and this function for the South East would move to our Rugby office to consolidate with our Midlands, East and South West team. After much planning, recruitment and preparation, this move went live on 2 May. The move was seamlessly managed with no impact on our internal or external customers. Since then we have continued to deliver great service and have received some excellent feedback from our customer base. Our new staff continue to go from strength to strength and the existing staff now part of this team have showed all their expertise and experience supporting the move and helping train those around them. It is a great example of how a complex and sensitive change project should be delivered.
Nicola Drabble and Nicholas Watson – Aggregates Supply Chain. Nick Watson and Nicola are the core of the Rail Team coordinating over 2.5 mt pa. They both work together quietly and conscientiously. Working together since 2012 rail volumes have grown 35%. Last year was a record 2,539,546 tonnes and their detailed coordination, tenacity and good humour has continued to see records being broken this year in March and week 20 seeing a record week. These two unsung heroes constantly challenge our methods of work and seek out where the next tonne is coming from.
Melissa Whitby – Next Day Planner – Aggregates. We were having continuous issues handling the orders of our biggest Asphalt customer, Resurf. They have many jobs each day and make many amendments so mistakes are easy to make. Melissa has taken on the role of “Key Account Manager” for their orders in addition to her normal transport planning duties, and things have gone a lot better since – in terms of fewer mistakes, reducing our costs, and keeping the customer happy.
Gary Morton – Plant Supervisor, Readymix Cluster 4. A spot environmental audit at the Asphalt Plant left the unit short staffed during a busy day as the Unit Manager had to attend. Gary Morton volunteered to help on the loading shovel at the Asphalt Plant once his own work was completed to ensure that the Asphalt Plant could continue to supply without interruption.
Carl Milton and Paula Sedgwick – Regional Logistics Manager and HR Business Partner. Carl and Paula have truly demonstrated leadership, passion and commitment in delivering this successful third intake of DGV Apprentices whilst undertaking their normal day to day roles and responsibilities. Throughout the process Carl and Paula have worked tirelessly. They also delivered an excellent presentation to the UK Senior Team at the UK Projects Meeting outlining the process, the benefits and updating everyone on the scheme.