INDUSTRY NEWS
Building the perfect workforce
The pages of trade magazines are often filled with product specification and installation , and with good reason – our industry is built on doors , windows , roofs and conservatories . But what about the people behind the products ? Building a sustainable business model is more than manufacturing the products that go into a building ! Here , Howard Trotter Business Manager at Shelforce talks about designing the perfect team , and how recruiting the right staff is only the beginning , it ’ s keeping hold of them that really matters .
“ Manufacturing and supplying fire doors to Birmingham City Council , we produce and a provide a lifesaving product . Thousands every year ,” starts Howard . “ If the team didn ’ t do their job properly we wouldn ’ t be where we are in the industry and we wouldn ’ t be the successful business we are – but it hasn ’ t always been that way .
“ When I joined Shelforce in 2013 , the business was failing . I had to cut the team from 106 people to 18 . Then , I had to build it back up again . Every hire had to be right . We needed the right people for the job and we couldn ’ t afford to fail again .
Know your values “ Putting a team together is more than the sum of its parts . Our values at Shelforce run through the team and everyone we hire . We believe in family values . This attitude not only attracts the right people but it helps keep them too .
“ I take inspiration from sports coaching to get the best out of my team . I ’ m talking about pastoral care that goes beyond what is required of an employer . You don ’ t have to fill ‘ roles ’, if you get the right person with the right attitude you can find the right role for them .
“ We pride ourselves on helping every employee reach their true potential , and having a long-lasting career . This means individual training and support ; taking the time to make sure everyone has everything they need ; in terms of practical help , physical tools and emotional assistance .
“ Above all , we believe in pure honesty . We are always honest with each other and our customers . We set a standard for
quality . We don ’ t build ‘ rejects allowances ’ into our operations . We deliver on time , in the right quantity . We have built a worldclass manufacturing process and journey based on these values .
Know their worth
“ Everyone who touches a product – or part of it – is adding value to it . Everyone who works at Shelforce – those who aren ’ t in production – add value to the business too . Everyone plays their part .
“ It makes sense then , that if everyone is adding value to your business , you want to help them reach their full potential so they can get value from their role too – beyond the salary . Self-worth , respect , opportunity , fulfilment – these are all part of the package at Shelforce .
“ To get the best out of people , you have to give them the best chance to thrive too ; it works both ways . Getting to know your team members personally , and understanding their lives outside of work helps understand their motivations and barriers at work too . And , it reaps rewards for the employer because people recognise genuine care and concern .
“ Some of our team grew up believing they would never be able to work , or
even apply for a job because of their disabilities or disadvantages . That just isn ’ t acceptable .”
Let others know
“ Shelforce is well-known for its diversity and inclusivity . But one thing we are not is the ‘ disabled factory ’. As a business , our ‘ numbers ’ speak for themselves but we are equally as proud of internal culture , our recruitment process and our retention rates .
“ What we do at Shelforce doesn ’ t have to end at Shelforce though . It ’ s really important that as an industry we talk more about our values and internal processes as much as our products and services . We should all be more open about getting new talent into fenestration , shortening the skills gap and making an industry into a more appealing place .
“ Even if that means asking awkward questions and exploring difficult subjects .
“ At Shelforce , we saw an untapped pool of talent and we ’ ve built a thriving team that is not only a highly-skilled labour force but a happy , fulfilled group of individuals who loves coming to work every day .”
www . shelforce . co . uk
18 JUNE 2024 CLEARVIEW-UK . COM