Clearview National September 2019 - Issue 214 | Page 24

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The sky’s the limit for disabled
workers given the right support
For production operative Floyd Levermore, working at Shelforce means everything.
» » FLOYD, WHO IS AUTISTIC, HAS
worked at Shelforce since March 1985 and
is part of a 23-strong team that produces
high-quality double-glazed windows and doors
for building projects by Birmingham City
Council.
In that time, Floyd’s life has changed
dramatically, thanks to the support and
working environment Shelforce has put in
place.
“Working at Shelforce is so important
to Floyd and has really given him a sense
of independence and real enjoyment in
producing a quality product for the city,” said
Floyd’s sister, Carol.
“He really likes being responsible and
trusted to operate quite complicated
machinery and to spot when something
produced is not to standard.
“His confidence, especially around other
people, has grown tremendously and over time
we have seen those changes at home and when
he is speaking to people at our local church.
“It gives him focus, purpose, independence
and confidence that he can work with other
people, learn new things and that he is good
at what he does, and it also gives him more
financial independence.”
Shelforce have been employing an inclusive
workforce since 1839 and 75% of its
workforce is disabled.
Business Manager Howard Trotter has
worked at Shelforce for six years and has
helped provide a working environment that
has allowed employees to thrive – and they
certainly have, helping to increase efficiency
by 659% and turnover to £2.7million last year
– just five years after posting a £1.8million
loss.
Howard Trotter,
General Manager of Shelforce
24 » SE P 2019 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M
Floyd Levermore
Shelforce
“We have continued to grow year-on-year
thanks to our improved efficiency,” said
Howard. “This is partly down to best practice
lean manufacturing but also the brilliant team
we have here.
“We’ve benefitted hugely from the in-built
resilience of disabled workers, who are too
often overlooked.
“They overcome bigger obstacles every
day than many of us will face in a year
which means they’ve got a toughness and
a determination that’ll see them through
any business or production issue in the
workplace.
“They all have a complete understanding
of their role in the production process and
really have built up that pride in the Shelforce
shirt.
“Here, we look at the ability not the
disability, and the team are so important to
what we do here.”
That team and sense of achievement is
something that Carol says is vital to Floyd,
who lives with his mum Cathy.
“Floyd talks about his work colleagues with
real affection, especially his supervisor Maxine,
and working with Maxine and the team means
everything to him.