In life , it ’ s impossible to not be impressed by the underdog ; someone who can achieve a win against the odds . Somehow this gives us belief that anything is possible . By embracing a more diverse workforce at Shelforce we have learnt that disabled staff don ’ t want the label and are on a mission to prove that they are every bit as capable as anyone . We know first hand that this is true .

Our workforce has helped Shelforce drive forward to achieve growth in 10 years from £ 747k turnover to £ 10m , from £ 2m losses to 10 % NET margins , and countless awards including the King ’ s Award for Enterprise .

It just so happens that our diverse workforce includes people with physical disabilities and learning difficulties . Our approach to inclusivity and diversity is well-known and documented throughout fenestration , and locally , here in Birmingham . Shelforce is not a charity . It is a thriving business , a profitable company , and a preferred supplier of

Birmingham City Council ; manufacturing life-saving fire products every day .

These are the facts , but we also use our experience to form opinions in business too . My honest opinion is that I have learnt more about people and how unbelievably inspiring they can be in the last 10 years than I would have thought possible . I also don ’ t whinge as much anymore !

If you consider for a moment being deaf and the challenges that brings ; the basic need to communicate , which most of take for granted . Imagine just doing the basics of communicating in an emergency , how would you cope ? Being deaf however doesn ’ t hinder your ability to assemble or manufacture doors or windows . And , when you put day-to-day business challenges against the basic

need to communicate when you are deaf , the challenges in comparison are just not the same . It gives you the inspiration to adapt and overcome .

With this can-do attitude from disabled staff , how can anyone not be motivated by their passion ? My experience is that it is impossible not to be inspired by individuals that despite life ’ s challenges just get on with it . This in turn is a great reset button for whenever you look at your own challenges and then bring them into context with others .

We constantly hear about the need for business resilience , the question is where does resilience come from ? My experience is that it comes from us as individuals and as a team . We all have different degrees of it and more so when you have had the challenge of disability .

When you are a manufacturing business , you are always driving to perform better with quality , costs , deliveries and keeping your customer happy , all these things are achieved by a focused and motivated work force . They get the product made and out . It is my belief that they don ’ t need to know how to do that when they join the team – we can teach the practical skills . But we can also learn so much from the people we employ .

I ’ ve also seen are too many people that can ’ t get employment because of a lack of positive role models both in terms of people and businesses . The employees at Shelforce are excellent role models to each other , to me and to other businesses , across fenestration and beyond .

www . shelforce . com

24 SEPTEMBER 2024

CLEARVIEW-UK . COM