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John scoops double accolade SEE PAGES 7, 8 & 9 FOR AWARDS NIGHT SPOTLIGHT
When work is a family affair
Cammy’s recipe for success
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Interactive bonus content with new AR app
PEOPLE AND BUSINESS DISPATCHES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
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John Miles talks with Kiln Emptier Jesse Doyle and Cup Shop Operative Karen Hodgkinson on the shopfloor.
People are crucial to our success NOW feels the right time to rebrand our internal employee magazine. Steelite Global will celebrate all that’s great about the people who make this business successful, bringing people and business dispatches from around the world. There are stories of tremendous achievement, dedication and fun – at work and away from the business – as well as news of supporting the community as a company, and helping other
BY STEELITE INTERNATIONAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER JOHN MILES
people as individuals. These are all important values of the business which our colleagues continually reinforce. When you’re working in an environment, any environment, it’s really all about the people you’re working with. We make fantastic products and we do
unbelievable things from a sales and marketing standpoint. But when you look back to Josiah Wedgwood, at the product they were producing and the level of quality and equipment they had to work with, it comes down to the skill of the potter, the skill of the designer and the attitude of everyone in the business that you are going to work that hard to get it right. Our most important asset is our people and I hope that when you read through Steelite Global you’ll see why. Enjoy.
Tap into bonus content with the S T E E L I T E Augmented Reality (AR) app The app, STEELITE AR, can be installed on smartphones and tablets and will bring photographs to life in this magazine using the power of augmented reality. To access the bonus interactive video content, simply follow the three easy steps: 2
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SOCIAL media videos watched by hundreds of followers are helping Jamie Stonier spread the word, or words, about his passion. His Facebook page has daily updates teaching a few basic, but important, words or phrases in British Sign Language. And weekly classes at his daughter’s primary school are helping children as young as four learn basic signing. “It’s really important to me.” said Jamie, 29, who is deaf, and works in the Steelite UK distribution
centre. “Deaf people can struggle at school and at work. They face a communications barrier and I am passionate about breaking down that barrier. “If people just learned basic sign language so they could communicate with a deaf person it would make a massive difference. “It would open up education and work opportunities for people who can’t hear and have difficulty communicating. Now I have the confidence to teach people and I’m really enjoying it. “I have a five year plan to roll out the lessons to schools and workplaces, and would urge colleagues to have a look at my Facebook page and have a try.” ● The video tutorials run through around five words a day and are available on Facebook at JayBSL.
Jamie Stonier teaches his daughter Ella-May, aged five, sign language at her school, Ellison Primary in Wolstanton. Jamie is signing “fish and chips”.
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Jamie is spreading the word(s) to encourage the use of sign language
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When the video starts double tap your screen for a full-screen view to take away. 3
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Skills and technology win top design award STATE-of-the-art creative services using decades of knowledge married with the very latest technology have helped Steelite scoop a prestigious international design award.
WIN
extra day’s leave in our fun AR Quiz
The Willow range – launched in February this year – was awarded the Red Dot seal of approval for outstanding design. Produced to frame stunning food in fine dining and banqueting in the world’s best restaurants, the ware’s repeating interweaving design that captures traditional woven willow brought out the very best in the Steelite International creative services team. Manager Phil Ward said a blend of traditional skills of modelling in plaster and clay and the very latest digital technology had brought Willow to life. He said: “It is our function to take an initial idea, whether verbal or from a drawing, and evolve it into something that meets the brief, looks great and is a manufacturable product. “In the case of Willow we created several different embossments both by hand and digitally through 3D printing before choosing an end product which fits the bill aesthetically and from a manufacturing point of view. “Willow was then modelled with computer aided design (CAD) so we could visualise the ware before sending it out for the CNC machining of mould-ready tooling. “The whole process is a marriage of traditional design, hand-crafting and the introduction of the very latest technology.
What is Ella-May Stonier’s favourite word to sign using British Sign Language?
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Please email your answers, along with your name, department and telephone number to steeliteglobal@steelite.com before the closing date for entries of April 30. The first correct entry out of the hat will be contacted by HR and will be able to enjoy their extra day’s annual leave.
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HI-TECH is the key to unlock the secrets of our exciting new quiz to win an extra day’s annual leave. Using the new Steelite AR app to watch videos triggered by this new magazine will reveal the answers which will win the prize for one lucky employee. Just follow the instructions on pages two and three to download and use our new free app. Keep an eagle eye open while watching the videos and find the answers to the questions below. Remember, the answers only appear in the videos, so the only way to enter is to download the app and watch the videos. The questions are:
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Creative Services Manager Phil Ward with a CNC modelled dish produced to develop the award winning Willow range.
“We are now using sophisticated digital systems... incorporating skills we developed in plaster and clay on the bench but with a different set of tools.” Previous winners of the Red Dot awards include international design icons Dyson, Mercedes Benz and Joseph Joseph. Steelite
will celebrate at a ceremony which takes place in Essen, Germany, in early July. Andrew Klimecki, Vice President Design, said: “Willow is the union of form and function – modern and sleek, yet robust enough to withstand the most rigorous commercial environments.”
Future of Steelite To access Future of Steelite video scan the photo of HR Director Louise Griffin.
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The Moreton family in the Flat Shop, left to right, Kieran, Tracey, Mark Robert and Mark.
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THE MORETONS MAKE COMING TO WORK
a real family affair THE phrase “family ties” does not even begin to describe the Moretons’ long association with Steelite. Dad Mark Moreton has worked there for 37 years and during his time in the flat shop met and fell for future wife Tracey. They have two sons – Mark Robert and Kieran – who now both work for the company and, by coincidence, up until very recently both also in the Flat Shop. Meanwhile, Mark’s brother Andrew works at Steelite in the Cup Shop as a Handle Caster and, in another striking similarity, also met his future wife – Cup Shop Handle De-seamer Marie – while working there. Meanwhile, Tracey’s aunty, Jackie Edwards, has clocked up four decades with Steelite and her mum, Joyce Sims, dedicated her working life to the pottery as a Flat Sponger. “It really is pretty remarkable,” said Mark who is now Team Leader in the Flat Shop. “You
hear about families and different generations of families working on pot banks but to have all our family in the same department and so many more relatives working at the same time really takes some beating.” Mark started work at the factory when he was just 18 back in 1979. He added: “I worked with Tracey for about 10 years before we started going out together – but within six months we were married.” About five years ago they were joined on the production line by son Kieran who successfully applied for a job after finishing college. While older son Mark Robert also joined the company as a flat maker a few years ago – although he has just received a promotion to become Assistant Kiln Manager. Tracey, a Sponger who has clocked up 33 years with the company, said: “If you also add in my mum, my aunty, my brother-in-law and sister-in-law we really have a lot of the family
working here. We never planned it to be like this and certainly never thought that Mark and I would be working here in the Flat Shop alongside the two boys.” “We all get on very well. As Mark is Team Leader I suppose he thinks he is the boss but that changes once we get home,” joked Tracey. Kieran still lives with Mark and Tracey less than a mile from the factory. It means they often walk into work together if they are on the same shift. Mark added: “Because we are always busy we often forget we are working together so when we meet up again at night it strangely doesn’t feel like we have been together all day. “However, we tend not to talk too much about work at home because, even though it is a great company to be with and been great for this family, it is nice to strike a work-life balance. Every family appreciates that.” 5
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Countryside forage added to the impact of display NICKY Goodwin goes to great lengths to fine-tune Steelite’s dynamic product storytelling at trade exhibitions. The Visual Merchandising and Display Manager even foraged in the Peak District on the way to work for the perfect selection of twigs for a display. The branches were intertwined with cut willow stems to create a chandelier over a tabletop of the Willow range at the Frankfurt Ambiente exhibition where the company assembled a 160-square metre stand. It was just one of the stunning exhibition platforms created by Nicky and her six colleagues in the Marketing team which has recently travelled more than 6,500 miles taking 16 flights over a four-month period to exhibit at seven international trade shows. Led by Heather Lovatt, Head of Marketing, they plan their stands meticulously in the run-up to the trade show season, working six months ahead and researching the latest hospitality and design trends. “We are always sourcing interesting props and furniture, always being aware of what is around us,” said Nicky, who studied visual display at Sheffield Art College and who has a ceramics industry background as a Visual Merchandiser. “We find accessories on our travels and sometimes it’s close to home – from journeys to the Welsh countryside to source perfect silver birch tree trunks to making a pit stop for the twigs in the countryside.” The team showcase Steelite products using on-trend design, photography and social media. “We have a collaborative approach to creating the right feel for the stands,” said Nicky. “At the Frankfurt show we concentrated on organic textures and materials to illustrate both the Willow and Scape product ranges.”
The twig chandelier hanging from the silver birch branch. Far right, the table display. 6
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Nicky Goodwin with samples of the Willow range in the Steelite factory showroom.
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Awards recognise people with big hearts and lots of soul TALENTED people who put their heart and soul into everything they do for Steelite were recognised at the annual Stepping Up To The Plate awards. The glittering ceremony held at the Moathouse hotel brought together high achievers, long servers and teams that go the extra mile for the celebration. A total of 13 awards were presented covering all aspects of the business and its people. There was also time to celebrate long servers with people who had notched up 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 40 years, as well as special recognition for Eric Lucas who is the longest server with 47 years under his belt (see page 14). Attendees were treated to a three-course meal and after the awards ceremony were able to “let their hair down” with a disco. The theme of the night was Northern Soul – which was a reference to Steelite’s geographical position and the passion of the business in both United Kingdom and the United States. Managing Director Neil Hooper a massive Northern Soul fan explained: “Our products have become huge hits throughout the world, transcending cultures and geography. We have achieved record-breaking sales success.
“We produce around 20 million pieces per annum at our factory and inspire our visitors – and all this is ultimately the product of our talented people. I can say without fear of contradiction that Steelite’s Got Soul!” Throughout the last 12 months, employees were asked to nominate outstanding colleagues across the business whose actions epitomise the company’s nine core values of Commitment, Teamwork, Respect, Creativity, Honestly, Responsibility, Passion, Leadership and Success. In each category shortlisted finalists were welcomed to the stage to receive certificates before the overall winners were announced and presented with their awards. The “values” award winners were: Commitment: Samantha Ashmore and Nick Gibbons. Teamwork: Adam Harrison and the Decorating, Glazing and Glost teams. Respect: Angela Hill and Ian Wright. Creativity: Jo Derybyshire. Honesty: Furlong Mills. Responsibility: Wayne Birch. Passion: John Rogerson. Leadership: Richard Longshaw. Success: Mark Zayshylyy and the UK Export Shipping Team.
There were also several special awards handed out to mark professional and personal milestones with the company. They were: Health and Safety: Mike Farr. Learner of the Year: Joe Hurst and Nathan Viney. Community Spirit Award: Lynda Hill and Jean Shaw. Finally, the main award of the evening was the Overall Winner accolade, which recognised the person who demonstrated the values that epitomise stepping up to the plate. The recipient was John Rogerson who was the winner in the Passion category for his “day in day out commitment” to the job always with a “smile on his face”. Encapsulating the awards ceremony and achievements recognised, Chief Executive John Miles said: “Tonight is a celebration of, and recognition that, our people are our most valuable asset. “A reminder that together we can achieve great things and a thank you to those who have gone the extra mile.”
More photos from the awards night on centre pages >> 7
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Angela Hill and Ian Wright were presented with the Respect Award by Company Secretary Phil Ray.
John Rogerson with his Overall Value Award certificate and trophy flanked by John Miles and Neil Hooper.
Jo Derbyshire is presented with the Creativity Award by Design Vice President Andrew Klimecki.
The Responsibility Award was presented to Wayne Birch by Global Supply and Services Director Jackie Evans.
Donna Ratcliffe, centre, and Dianne Cartlidge accept the Success Award from Neil Hooper on behalf of the Export Shipping Team.
Lynda Hill with the Community Spirit Award. Nathan Viney, left, and Joe Hurst, right, were presented with Learner of the Year Award by Head of Logistics Rob Price.
Commitment Award winners Samantha Ashmore and Nick Gibbons were presented with their trophies and certificates by Finance Director Jon Cameron.
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Mike Farr, right, is presented with the Health and Safety Award by QESH Manager Pat Griffin.
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The Leadership Award was presented to Richard Longshaw by Neil Hooper.
Karl Machin, left, Mill Manager at Furlong Mills, accepts the Honesty Award on behalf of his company from Steelite Technical Manager David Clarke. 9
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Angela Hill and Ian Wright were presented with the Respect Award by Company Secretary Phil Ray.
John Rogerson with his Overall Value Award certificate and trophy flanked by John Miles and Neil Hooper.
Jo Derbyshire is presented with the Creativity Award by Design Vice President Andrew Klimecki.
The Responsibility Award was presented to Wayne Birch by Global Supply and Services Director Jackie Evans.
Donna Ratcliffe, centre, and Dianne Cartlidge accept the Success Award from Neil Hooper on behalf of the Export Shipping Team.
Lynda Hill with the Community Spirit Award. Nathan Viney, left, and Joe Hurst, right, were presented with Learner of the Year Award by Head of Logistics Rob Price.
Commitment Award winners Samantha Ashmore and Nick Gibbons were presented with their trophies and certificates by Finance Director Jon Cameron.
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Mike Farr, right, is presented with the Health and Safety Award by QESH Manager Pat Griffin.
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The Leadership Award was presented to Richard Longshaw by Neil Hooper.
Karl Machin, left, Mill Manager at Furlong Mills, accepts the Honesty Award on behalf of his company from Steelite Technical Manager David Clarke. 9
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SIDEPLATES
Taste of raw sea urchin AUSTRALIAN General Manager Martin Lipa almost bit off more than he could chew when he came face to face with a spiky looking local delicacy during a European holiday. The trip saw him take in the remote Greek island of Lemnos, where his appetite for adventure led him to try raw sea urchins. Martin explained: “The fisherman had just come in from the Mediterranean with his catch of the day. They were offered to me fresh and raw and I thought, well, we are in the food business, so why not. “They actually tasted quite good and would have looked well served on Steelite ware.”
Roy Bagnall with his drawing of Middleport Pottery taken from a postcard dating back to the 1940s. Below his drawing of Chester’s Eastgate Street in Victorian times.
Pencil drawings gain national recognition
Backing for culture bid STEELITE International is proud to be backing the bid to make Stoke-on-Trent the UK City of Culture in 2021. Managing Director Neil Hopper said: “The Potteries is a city of hard-working people and, importantly, a city of success. I believe Steelite is a shining example of what can be achieved through embracing the culture of our city.”
SUPER-DETAILED pencil drawings have earned warehouse operative Roy Bagnall a prestigious national commission from a leading military history charity. The world-famous Battle of Britain Memorial Flight have commissioned Roy to draw a one off artwork of an historic Lancaster bomber, Spitfire and Hurricane, together with a 1940s Bugatti sports car, to be auctioned off for charity. Roy, who has worked for Steelite for 33 years, has created hundreds of drawings over the years from historic buildings to cars and planes... all in meticulous detail. He said: “I’ve never had any formal artistic training, but I can look at a photograph, or a scene in front of me and I just draw it. “I’ve done hundreds of drawings
Freestyle in top eatery ACCLAIMED Indian restaurant Asha’s is now using Steelite’s eye-catching Freestyle catering range in its popular venue in Birmingham city centre. The restaurant is renowned around the world for its Asian cuisine and experience.
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over the years and have given a lot of them away to friends and colleagues. “I see things in the finest detail – literally drawing every blade of grass. I use fine pencils and I get through a lot of them.” Roy has drawn many historic
buildings in North Staffordshire, such as the Tudor-built Ford Green Hall and Gladstone Pottery Museum, but his next project might be based closer to home. “I’d like to draw some of the historic buildings on the Steelite factory site,” he said.
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A TALE OF TWO NATHANS... one in Sales and the other in Mould Making, both Nathan Viney and Nathan Facey are benefiting from Steelite International’s strong ethos of mentoring and support for new recruits.
Support of mentors is crucial APPRENTICE Nathan Facey, pictured right, needs extremely good hand-eye co-ordination in his chosen career as a mould maker. It’s also a prerequisite for his spare-time hobby as a black belt Jujitsu instructor. The 19-year-old gets enjoyment from both activities in equal measure – and he’s especially grateful for the support he’s being given at work by his mentors. “I’m told that my grandfather Howard Meakin always had a smile on his face when he worked for Steelite International and I am proud about how much I have learned and grown in confidence since I joined,” he said. Since he enrolled last October Nathan has been working towards an NVQ Level 2 Diploma in Performing Manufacturing Operations and he says he is impressed by
the professionalism of everything he has seen at the company. “There’s a big difference between making moulds and doing Jujitsu but you have to be
very controlled in both,” added the new recruit, who is also a big champion of the importance of the ceramics industry in the Potteries.
First class degree – while working full time NATHAN Viney, pictured left, joined Steelite International as an Apprentice five years ago – and he has never looked back. Since gaining his NVQ Levels 2 and 3 in Business Administration he has gone on to achieve in his own time a First in his BA Honours Degree in Business Management at Staffordshire University. In the workplace, after a time as a business support in the National Accounts Department followed by a similar role in the portfolio business he has taken up the newly-created post of Key Accounts Executive. Nathan, aged 22, whose father Simon Viney is Packing and Samples Manager at Steelite International, praises the on-the-job mentoring he received during his apprenticeship in Sales and Customer Service. He said: “I also appreciate the support from the company which has allowed me to take a Foundation Degree and then the BA at University in my own time, giving me days off when I needed them. I am now on course to study for a Masters Degree.” In his current role Nathan travels widely to meet new and potential clients. “I really enjoy the customer engagement,” he added.
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five MINUTES WITH
Cammy Ricketts with a selection of her delicious fruit pies.
Jack Parsons-Frid
Despatch Co-ordinator Jack, who was lead guitarist in a hard rock band, reveals he enjoys a wide-range of music. What is the best thing about your job?
In restaurants do you turnover the plates to see where they were made?
The team I work with are great. Generally I enjoy everything about my work which involves organising the despatch of Steelite products around the world.
I try not to do so, but there has been the odd occasion when I get intrigued and do so. Which famous people alive or dead would you invite to a dinner party?
What do you do in your spare time?
Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, Eric Clapton, Steve Vai and Zakk Wylde. They would create one very special jam session!
Writing and playing music, art – drawing and painting. Until recently I was lead guitarist in a hard rock band who played in local pubs. I am currently working on a solo album.
Where is your favourite place in the world and why?
To what period would you travel if you had a time machine and why?
I can’t honestly say, I’ve always wanted to travel to California for the weather and culture.
Back to the1950s and 60s for the fashion and culture of England. The music of that time appeals to me including rock ‘n’ roll and swing.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
The best way to succeed in life is to act on the advice we give to others.
What are your favourite films and music?
Films would have to be comedies, but my music range is wide. As I study all genres and styles from Classic, Jazz, Blues, Rock, Metal, Country, etc. But I’m mostly inspired by Blues and Hard Rock.
PRODUCT Manager Cammy Ricketts has come up with the perfect recipe for success – combining her own award winning cooking with Steelite’s range of quality products. The mum of four likes nothing better than to spend her spare time making sweet and savoury pies and cakes and then displaying them on her favourite Spyro dinnerware. And it’s not only her family who appreciate the taste and presentation of her food – she has even won awards at county shows and fetes in Pennsylvania for the quality of her baking. Cammy, who has been with Steelite USA for 10 years, said: “I absolutely love cooking and baking. They are a passion of mine. From Friday to Sunday you will find me in the kitchen. “Having raised four boys I have had plenty of hungry people to test
Jack Parsons-Frid at work in the Distribution department.
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the recipes on and I also love displaying the cakes and pies I make on Steelite ware and taking photos of the finished product. “My favourite range is Spyro. The design looks great and works really well with the cakes and pies. And the fact that the dinnerware set I have has stood the test of time and all those meal times is testament to how good it is too. “I am pleased to say that I have won a couple of awards at county fetes for my apple pie. It’s great fun to take part in the competitions and it has spurred me on with my ambition which is to one day open a pie store.” Her hobby also helps with her job at Steelite too. She added: “When I am talking to new customers I really can give personal testimony to how good the products are. “The fact that I have total confidence in the ware and use it every day is a really good selling point.”
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Prestigious Investors in People standard renewed EMPLOYEES are being thanked for their support after Steelite International was re-accredited for the prestigious Investors in People standard. The company has now held the benchmark – which benefits workers and management and helps to boost customer
relations – for around a decade and a half. Assessors worked with the company
during 2016, interviewing members of staff as part of the process. Following feedback from the assessor the Steelite Human Resources team will be working hard across the business to improve internal communications and feedback given to employees.
Andrew Bennett is pictured at the Apedale Heritage Centre alongside a memorial commemorating the 1937 Holditch Colliery Disaster in which 30 men died.
Helping to preserve local mining heritage ANDREW Bennett plays a key role in safeguarding the heritage of a historic North Staffordshire valley. The Steelite employee is the manager of the museum at Apedale Heritage Centre which preserves and records the history and industries of the Apedale Valley near Newcastle-under-Lyme. The Centre is on the site of the Aurora drift mine alongside the former Apedale deep coal mines which operated from the late 18th century to the start of the 20th century. Steelite IT Manager Andrew – who first got involved with volunteer activity at the heritage site when he created a website for the Centre – has an affinity with the setting.
“Apedale is very close to where I grew up and I used to play around the area when I was young,” he said. “Both my great grandfather and my great uncle died in pit accidents, at Holditch and Wolstanton Collieries. “I am really pleased to be helping to preserve a piece of history – there are not a lot of museums featuring mining in North Staffordshire.” After initially volunteering at weekends, Andrew eventually became manager of the museum where he develops new displays, handles the administration and catalogues items. “The museum houses items showing Roman occupation and the development of canals and ironworking in the valley as well as
The fossilised tree stump. mining,” he said. “One of our exhibits is a fossilised tree stump which was once housed on a site occupied by the Steelite headquarters.” ● The Heritage Centre, which features a cafe, is located in the Apedale Community Country Park, with mine tours and an adjacent light railway as attractions. 13
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Christine will pursue her caring for animals in retirement CRANKER Christine Hughes has retired after 22 years at Steelite – and her time at home will give her the chance to pursue her love of animals. The 66-year-old is well known for her fundraising activities to support animal charities. “I already own two cats and
now I plan to get myself a little dog so that I can take him for walks,” she said. Christine, whose daughter Sharon also works in cranking, spent 20 years there after joining the business as an overlooker. Albert Bray, 66, has retired as a
warehouse operative after eight years’ service. Albert, whose wife Glenis was at Steelite for 23 years, joined the company after being in the wholesale newspaper trade for many years. “I always enjoyed my time at Steelite and found my colleagues very supportive,” he said.
Longest server Eric plans to carry on with job he loves LONGEST server Eric Lucas has no plans to retire yet after almost 48 years at the heart of the decorating department. He joined the company from school on 28 July 1969, and met his wife to be Anne on the factory.
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FORTY YEARS Steven Barber, Carol Bithell, Ronnie Bithell, Bernard Heath, Jean Shaw, and Judith Woodward. THIRTY YEARS Carol Goodwin, Geoffery Holdcroft, Eddie Gunn, John Leech and Tracy Wilson.
To access a video featuring colleagues’ Steelite pride scan the photo of Distribution Operative Ryan Meir.
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Eric Lucas is congratulated by Managing Director Neil Hooper at the Stepping Up To The Plate Awards evening when he and other long-serving employees were thanked for their loyalty.
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A ruby wedding anniversary later, and then a few more years on top of that, and he still loves coming to work. Lots has changed from the days when the majority of decorating was done by hand – when he started at the factory there were 14 gilders, including Anne. Now the majority of decorating is mechanised and Eric does his bit as a Decorating Technician on the four and two colour TT machines which print onto biscuit ware, the specially developed Orchid machine which decorates larger pieces of ware and the banding machine. When all is running well they can decorate many thousands of pieces a day, ready for dipping and firing. Anne later left the company to study and start a career in care, but Eric stood the test of time and wants to carry on working for as long as is possible. He said: “I really do love it. The idea is that I will carry on working until I think it’s the right time to retire. So much has changed in the time I have worked for the company, but the investment and changes have been essential. You’ve got to move on... that’s why the business keeps succeeding.” Eric and other long servers were given a special mention at the Stepping Up To The Plate Awards. They included:
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TWENTY-FIVE YEARS Brett Craig, Lisa Davison and Carol Heath. TWENTY YEARS Jeanette Barber, Neil Cooper, Sheila Dutton,Chris Heames, Darren Jenkinson, Marcia Lane, John Miles, Shaun Perry and Jane Stokes. FIFTEEN YEARS Lynette Bennett, Angela Bishop, Mark Bithell, James Cameron, Stephen Colclough, Michael Dennison, Kay Dwine, Brandon Ellis, Scott Forrester, Lee Hewitt, Gareth Hughes, Martin Lipa, Kay Mitchell-White, Nora Munn, Cynthia Woolley, Stephen Wilcox, Tracey Williams and Kent Wilson. TEN YEARS Wayne Brennan, Anthony Butler, Sandra Charlton, Elizabeth Dean, Yvonne Evans, Michael Hussey, Robert Jennings, Keith Johnson, Stephen Mountford, Eric Oliver, Jeff Richards and David Simpson.
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Three of the many female employees taking part in the 5K Race for Life are Sarah Brookfield, centre, of the UK Customer Services Team, and Samantha Elliot, left, and Stacie Lipski of the European Customer Services Team.
Charity fundraisers aim to support local community RUNNERS, cyclists, fancy dress and crazy Christmas jumpers will all help Steelite employees continue their busy programme of supporting good causes in North Staffordshire. An exciting list of fundraising activities has been unveiled for the rest of 2017 to carry on the sterling work of the Giving Something Back initiative to support local communities. Employees are being asked to bring in Easter eggs in April which will be passed on to local charities, schools and hospitals. In June the company will cover the entry fees for any female employees who want to take
part in the 5k run, walk or jog to raise funds for cancer research. All the cash raised in the Dougie Mac Bring a Pound Day in September – one of North Staffordshire’s biggest fundraising events which supports the hospice – will be matched by the company. Autumn will also see free fruit being provided during the company’s Health & Wellbeing Week. Steelite will match money raised for Children in Need in November, and December will see the big Christmas charity day, supporting the Salvation Army toy appeal and the Donna Louise Trust festive jumper day to raise money for the North Staffordshire Children’s Hospice.
HR and Training Administrator Rhianon Rose-Thomas said support from employees was hugely appreciated by charities. She said: “Steelite people really get behind anything charity related... the red noses we got for Comic Relief this year have sold like hot cakes. “Steelite employees donated 543 gifts to the Salvation Army toy appeal last Christmas, which was amazing, and meant some children received two or three toys.” ■ Anyone with ideas for fundraising activities should contact the Giving Something Back committee through Louise.
Shirley vows to carry on working ONE of Steelite USA’s longest serving employees has vowed to carry on working long into the future... after celebrating her 65th birthday. New Jersey-born Shirley Jackson was employed by the company 17 years ago in customer service, when it was based in South Plainfield. She then decided to leave her east coast roots behind and move 500 miles to New Castle, Pennsylvania, when operations transferred there in 2006.
Shirley says she has “no regrets at all” about the move and that she is delighted to be with a company that is breaking new ground in the pottery industry all the time. She said: “It was a big move to pack up and leave for Pennsylvania. But I felt as though John Miles had a really great idea for the company – I believed in him and his vision and so I believed it was the right decision for me too. I have not
changed my mind over the years and though I am six hours by car from where I used to live and was brought up, I feel more than at home here with my colleagues and friends. “I am 65 now but have no intention to step down. I still think I can give plenty to my role and the company and Shirley plan to carry on Jackson. working long into the future.” 15
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In training for the 90-mile charity cycle trek are, left to right, HR Officer Daniel Stone, HR and Training Administrator Sean Sutton, Maintenance and Site Services Improver Cameryn Shingler and Group QESH Manager Pat Griffin. The other two signed up so far are Assistant Kiln Manager David Worrall and Multi Skilled Improver Chris Haslam.
It’s Llandudno or bust for charity cyclists raised for the initiative, which helps good causes located within a five-mile radius of the factory. The event takes place on Saturday 15 July and colleagues are being encouraged to sponsor the cyclists – or, if they are feeling up to it, join in. Group QESH Manager Pat Griffin, who is taking part in the cycle ride a second year, said: “We are aiming to at least equal last year’s total and to do that we need to ask people to give generously. “There is currently six of us doing the cycle ride but we would welcome more participants if they want to get involved –
PLENTY of pedal power practice is helping a team of intrepid riders gear up for a 90-mile cycle charity marathon. The fundraisers will set out on their bikes from Steelite’s factory in Stoke-on-Trent and finish by the outdoor paddling pool in the North Wales seaside resort of Llandudno. It is the second year running that the charity ride will take place with all proceeds going towards Steelite’s Giving Something Back community campaign. Last year, around £3,000 was
there is still plenty of time. We are putting in lots of practice rides and training – because, to be honest, none of us are really cyclists. “So we have been trying out 10 mile bikes rides and then we’ll move up to 30 mile rides before we look at doing an equivalent 90-mile trial run. “The route into Llandudno is pretty good in parts but the worst bit is probably the uphill slope as you come into Llandudno itself.” Sponsor forms will be going out in the next couple of weeks, alternatively people can get in touch with Pat to pledge their support.
Red noses boost for charity SALES of funny red noses helped Steelite employees raise £1,006 towards the national Comic Relief charity fund raising day. People around the factory, like Glazing department Dipper Dave Stanyer, pictured, each paid £1 to wear a nose for the day, raising £503. The company matched their total.
If you have a story for G L O B A L magazine >>> email steeliteglobal@steelite.com 16
GLOBAL
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ISSUE 1
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SPRING 2017