Manufacturer toasts 40th anniversary with award nomination

Manufacturer Midland Lead, which this year celebrates its 40th anniversary, has been nominated for a national award recognising the way the firm engages with and develops its people.

The Swadlincote firm, which produces more than 15,000 tonnes of lead a year for UK and overseas clients, has been shortlisted for Best SME People Management Initiative by HR’s professional body, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

It follows significant investment by Midland Lead in its people practices, which has involved working with HR consultancy Loates HR to create a values-led culture, termed ‘Team Midland Lead’.

Team Midland Lead sought to establish a safe workplace, increase staff retention and attendance, improve productivity and quality, and develop a happy and flexible workforce.

The people-led initiative included the rollout of values, recruiting new starters based against these, developing a pay progression structure for operators and introducing a suite of benefits such as life insurance and enhanced holiday and sick pay.

The investment in staff has reaped rewards. At the end of last year when faced with crippling energy costs, the company asked employees to design their shifts to help reduce energy bills but also improve operators’ work-life balance.

The resulting changes have reduced the company’s energy consumption by 20% and means employees can now finish early on a Friday.

Francoise Derksen, HR manager at Midland Lead, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the news that we have been shortlisted for this prestigious CIPD award and truly value working together with our team and local businesses to make Midland Lead a great place to work and thrive.

“It’s great to hear that the judges have recognised Midland Lead for our long-term approach to people development, establishing us as an employer of choice, an excellent manufacturer driven by a clear business need to recruit and retain the best to deliver the best for our customers.”

Sarah Loates, director at Derby-based Loates HR Consultancy, said, “We have worked closely with Midland Lead for seven years and have been immensely impressed with their unwavering commitment to make their workplace a better place for all.

“We are so proud that our professional body has recognised their dedication.”

The winners of the CIPD Awards will be announced at a ceremony in London on Thursday 21 September.