One of the South West’s leading metal engineering firms is celebrating success on a national scale, having won the Lloyds Bank National Business Awards UK 2017 Employer of the Year award. Alderman Tooling, based at Newnham in Plymouth, was announced the winner at a prestigious awards ceremony in London on 14th November, hosted by the BBC’s Naga Munchetty, and featuring Sir Mo Farah as a guest speaker.
Over 1,000 companies of all sizes from across the UK entered the awards, with ten companies being shortlisted in the Employer of Year category sponsored by law firm Howard Kennedy. Having completed a comprehensive entry submission, all the shortlisted firms gave a presentation to a panel of judges, who selected the winner.
Founded in 1969 by toolmaker Bill Alderman, Aldermans remains in family ownership and management today. Bill’s daughter Karen Friendship has headed up the 40-strong team as Managing Director since 2005, with Production Manager Shane Heaney and Quality Supervisor Tony McEwen also part of the senior management team.
“At its heart Aldermans is a family business, both in ownership and attitude,” Karen Friendship commented. “Our inclusive, friendly culture is one of the things that makes Aldermans a special place to work, and I’m so proud of the team we have here.”
This is not just sentiment, however. Aldermans is clearly proving through business metrics that a combination of culture and training is a winning formula for productivity and the bottom line. Investing in the team has been key to the company’s success; and this has included formal training in business improvement skills. 50% of the staff have completed the year-long programme so far, with plans for the remainder to do so in the next 3-4 years.
“By equipping and empowering staff to make positive improvements in their work areas we not only keep our staff motivated and inspired, but see our productivity increase and costs decrease, which are key to maintaining our place in a very competitive market,” Karen continued. Diversity also matters; and the company actively supports the Ready For Work scheme through Plymouth-based charity Shekinah, giving employment opportunities to disadvantaged adults. Training the next generation is also a high priority, with between 5-10% of the workforce being in a formal college apprenticeship scheme at any time. Karen also works locally as a STEM ambassador in schools, helping to change the perception of engineering as a career choice, especially for girls. Karen concludes, “For a small company such as ourselves, the national award achievement is particularly gratifying. We believe that exceptional employment practice, with proven business benefits, can be achieved by any company of any size in any sector – and we’re proof of it.”
Pictured above left to right at the awards ceremony: Tony McEwen, Quality Supervisor; Steve Gilbert, Production Supervisor; Shane Heaney, Production Manager; Karen Friendship, Managing Director.
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