adi Newsletter Issue 18 2019

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adi EXPANDS INTO NEW
NORTHAMPTON FACILITY

We go behind the scenes at our Northampton Engineering
Facility launch event

Plus all the latest Group News

It’s A Celebration!

Divisions across the Group commemorate Best Companies success

It’s An adi Group Knockout!

Divisions across the Group battle it out in Rushden’s annual Charity It’s A Knockout

Think Safe, Work Safe, Home Safe

adi Health & Safety commitments earn prestigious Gold RoSPA Award

Issue 18 – Quarter 3 2019

The Editor In This Issue
Page 3 – Lusty’s Latest
Welcome to the second adi Mail of the
year. Pages 4 & 5 – New Recruits

We’re a bit late on this one so please accept our apologies Pages 6-11 – Latest Group News
as we wanted to include as many of the amazing events
and happenings that have occurred across the Group since our last edition Pages 12 & 13 – Best Companies Highlights
before we hit the print button so not to leave anything out.
Pages 14 & 15 – Sponsorships
Since our last edition so many things have happened across the Group – & Sustainability
especially on a CSR front and we wanted to make sure these events got the
fanfare they deserve. We’ve had our largest ever Group-wide fundraising Pages 16 & 17 – Northampton Facility Launch
events take place from the Velothon and It’s A Knockout to the Dragon
Boat Race in Stratford attended by countless divisions across the Group. Page 18 – QHSE Update
In total, at the time of going to print over £15,000 has been raised for Heart
Research UK in 2019, which is fantastic with many months still to go. We Page 19 – School Partnerships
still have more events you can get involved with in the coming months, most
notably the annual St Basils Sleep Out which takes place in November. Get Pages 20 – 25 – Charity & Fundraising
in touch if you want to be part of the adi team this year! Highlights

If you’re new to the Group, we were proud to launch our brand-new Page 26 – Lottie Tour
engineering facility in Northampton in May attended by customers and
suppliers of the Group as well as employees and members of the senior Page 27 – WES50 Award
leadership team. Some photo highlights from the official launch event can be
found on pages 16 and 17. Page 28 – Employee Spotlight

We also share the story behind the Group’s largest order to date with Page 29 – Apprentice Academy Summer
Princes Food as part of their £80m investment plans at their Long Sutton Camp
site. adi Building & Refurbishment is heading up this project with many
divisions across the Group also involved. Highlights from the ground- Pages 30 & 31 – Pre-Apprentice Updates
breaking ceremony can be found on page seven.
Page 32 & 33 – Employee Awards 2019
We also celebrated our second 1* Best Companies Accreditation. A
selection of photos of the division celebrations that had taken place at the Pages 34 & 35 – The Staff Room
time of print can be found on page 12 and 13. We are aware there are still
a few divisions left to celebrate so if this is your division, please make sure Page 36 – The Pit Lane
you send us photo to include in the next edition. We will soon be gearing up
for the survey again at the end of Q3/ early Q4 so keep your eyes peeled for
updates on how you can share your feedback on how we’re doing.

Elsewhere across the Group we bring you highlights from our first ever
Apprentice Summer Camp held at NPF in Sutton Coldfield which included
plenty of team-building activities and a whole lot of fun. We also proudly
hosted our second pre-apprentice graduation ceremony and welcomed 12
more students onto our two-year programme.

And that’s it for now! We hope to be back with another edition towards
the end of 2019 featuring even more highlights and news stories from the
exciting initiatives, projects and events we have lined up in Q3 and Q4 of this

year. Watch this space.

mail Don’t forget to enter the newsletter
competitions on the back cover – we have
two £25 vouchers up for grabs again and
you might just be one of our lucky winners.

adi EXPANDS INTO NEW See you in the next edition!
NORTHAMPTON FACILITY
Claire Frays
We go behind the scenes at our Northampton Engineering
Facility launch event adi Mail Editor

Plus all the latest Group News adi Expands into Northampton
Facility – see the highlights over on
It’s A Celebration! pages 16 and 17.
Divisions across the Group commemorate Best Companies success
It’s An adi Group Knockout!
Divisions across the Group battle it out in Rushden’s annual Charity It’s A Knockout
Think Safe, Work Safe, Home Safe
adi Health & Safety commitments earn prestigious Gold RoSPA Award

Issue 18 – Quarter 3 2019

Got News, Photos, or want to be featured? Get in touch!

Like we always say, this is YOUR magazine and we want YOUR news stories
and photos to feature in future editions. Maybe you’re hosting or taking
part in a charity event in 2019 or working on an exciting project for one of
our clients or just want to share just a completely random occurrence with
colleagues across the Group. We’d love to feature you. Simply let the Group
Communications team know so we can share your news across the Group.

Send your stories and photos to:

e: [email protected] | [email protected] | t: +44 (0) 7896 068730

Follow us online at:

Facebook: facebook.com/adigroupltd
Twitter: @adiGroupLtd
LinkedIn: Systems adi Group
Instagram: @adiGroupLtd
Google+: adi Group
YouTube: adi Group

LUSTY’S LATEST

‘Our purpose is to grow a beyond their core apprenticeship roles which is why we invested in our
profitable group that adds first apprentice summer camp which we hope to make an annual event.
value to our customer’s 20 Apprentices from various divisions across the Group spent two-days at
businesses, maintains an outdoor education centre which focused on developing skills such as
a safe ethical working leadership, communication, team-building and confidence. The feedback
environment and is an from our apprentice mentors (and apprentices) was extremely positive and
organisation that people we are already seeing the skills developed over the two-days being brought
aspire to work for.’ back into the workplace which is great to see.

The year is far from over and 2019 has already The summer period also saw our investment in the next generation shine
proved exciting for adi Group across a number as we watched our second intake of pre-apprentices across the Group
of our business areas. What’s more, we still have graduate. We are especially proud that once again we will be taking on
much more to look forward to in the months apprentices from our graduating cohort. We are now gearing up to welcome
ahead. our fourth intake this September to adi Group and watch as they develop
like our alumni into the engineers of tomorrow. Work continues to promote
Since the last newsletter edition, we were delighted to learn that adi Group the programme with industry peers and business across other sectors
had secured the order for work at Princes Foods Limited. This is the largest so that we can continue to inspire more young people into the workplace
value project that the Group has secured in the history of the company and through pre-apprenticeship schemes.
we are proud to be working alongside Princes as a considerable portion of
their ongoing investment at Long Sutton. This year we have also increased the reach of our charity events and have
seen the biggest group-wide turnouts in the history of the company through
Multiple adi divisions are involved in this landmark project which truly is the Rushden It’s A Knockout and Dragon Boat Race events. I would like to
a total engineering solution and testament to our collaborative working take the opportunity to thank everyone who was involved in organising and
approach internally. participating in these events and, of course, all of the employees that came
out to support colleagues from across the Group. It was fantastic to see so
We have also worked on further investments of our head office and regional many areas of the Group come together and hopefully, we can continue to
facilities to ensure they are future proof and continue to grow with the involve more of our teams in future fundraising events we have planned.
business - most notably with our move to the new facility in Rushden back
in May. The new workshop has increased our capabilities to not only take on At the start of Q4, we will be preparing to once again take the Best
additional clients and projects but also to expand our geographical footprint Companies B-Heard Survey. More information about this will be circulated
in this area. In recent years, we have adopted a proactive approach to very soon to your line manager and via our usual communications channels.
achieving our strategic objectives, so this investment is a real expression of The surveys are completely anonymous and help us benchmark our
not only that but of our confidence in the area to provide the skills we’ll need progress each year as well as providing us with insights into the business
to exceed the expectations of our customers. areas and initiatives we need to invest in, in the future. Please keep an eye
on your emails for details of when the survey opens so that you don’t miss
We continue to strengthen our senior leadership team which is why we’ve the opportunity to let us know how we’re doing and how we can improve.
brought in Jim Colston to lead our North West efforts in this region for
all companies across the Group. Jim will be working closely with myself At the time of writing, we still await the future implications of Brexit but the
and the Main Board to raise awareness of our capabilities in this area to message from myself and the main board is that its business as usual for
ultimately take us into new clients and sectors. We also welcome Mari the adi Group. Since the Brexit decision in 2016, we have been investing in
Docker to the post of HR & CSR Manager bringing a wealth of experience our Business Development and been working heavily with the Main Board to
to drive our HR, CSR and people initiatives across the Group. minimise the risks to our Company. However, 80% of our Clients are Major
International Companies and I’m sure you are aware that investment in the
But it’s not all business and operations. UK has been dramatically reduced over the past few years by International
Companies, so we must be careful but strong in how we manage our
A key focus has bene on team work and helping our apprentices develop Company in the coming few years.

Business across the UK are entering challenging times and uncertain
waters, but with your help and support, we will overcome the many
challenges these uncertain times will be presenting to us.

Thanks, as always for your ongoing support.

3

WELCOME TO adi

adi WELCOMES OUR NEWEST RECRUITS

Mike Griffith Alan McKenzie Helen Wilson Petrisor Flueras Caitlyn Kett-Davies
Senior Control Systems Business Development Business Development Design Engineer Apprentice Mechanical
adi Automotive Services
Engineer Manager Manager Design & Machinist
adi Automation adi Automation adi Automation adi Automotive Services

Lee Morriss Mihaita Sorici Christopher Alder Simon Underwood Daniel Northall
Datacomms Supervisor Datacomms Technician Design Manager Senior Quantity Surveyor Contracts Engineer
adi Automotive Services adi Automotive Services adi Building & Refurbishment adi Building & Refurbishment adi Climate Systems

Varun Sarna Simon Arnold Lee Gumbley Kris Mazur Stuart McMillan
Design & Estimating Manager Approved Electrician Senior Project Engineer Approved Electrician Senior Project Engineer

adi Climate Systems adi Electrical adi Electrical adi Electrical adi Electrical

Chris Parkes Aaron Green Ben Pitfield Phil Watt Dario Whittaker
Approved Electrician Account Manager M&E Technician Facilities Manager Night Cleaner
adi Environmental adi Facilities Engineering adi Facilities Engineering adi Facilities Engineering
adi Electrical

Jim Colston Mari Docker Shannon O’Reilly Aaron Shine Greg Noake
Business Development Director Group HR & CSR Manager QHSE & Projects Administrator IT Support Technician Apprentice Service Engineer
adi Healy Compressor Services
adi Group Services adi Group Services adi Group Services adi Group Services

Andy Lines Darryl Attwell Howard Coleman Paul Haskins Luke Jefferies
Project Coordinator Mechanical Improver H&S Manager Pipefitter / Welder Site Manager
adi Intelligent Buildings adi Mechanical adi Mechanical
adi Mechanical adi Mechanical

James Leonardi Annika Martin Michael Pye Luke Rioch Aaron Shepherd
Mechanical Apprentice Senior Administrator Mechanical Contracts Manager Pipefitter / Welder adi Mechanical Contracts Manager

adi Mechanical adi Mechanical adi Mechanical Mechanical adi Mechanical

Craig Webb Michael O’Sullivan William Harvey adi Group also welcomes
Fabricator / Welder adi Electrician Business Development Manager
Richard Russell (adi Automotive Services),
Mechanical adi TEGG Service adi TEGG Service Alex Hall (adi Automotive Services),

Stuart Andrews (adi Facilities Engineering),
Matthew Wilkes (adi Healy Compressor Services),

Glen Hawkins (adi Mechanical),
Issack Beyene (adi Mechanical),
Kameron Morgan (adi Mechanical),
and Stephen Morris (adi Process Pipework).

5

Ground-breaking ceremony marks symbolic start
on Princes Foods Long Sutton Development

adi Group has secured its “This is one of the largest food and drinks brands
largest contract to date in in the UK and worldwide, so we’re really proud to
a multi-million-pound deal be helping engineer further production capacity
with leading food and drink for the firm on British soil.”
specialists, Princes, at
their Long Sutton site. “The B&R division has been one of the most
successful sectors in adi’s rich history, and right
The project will involve the refurbishment and now, we’re in a really exciting period where we
development of significant aspects of the site can deliver a wide range of design and build
including a new raw material warehouse and projects, from both a national and big-name
handling facility, new ingredients processing brand perspective.”
kitchen and a flexible production line for canned
ready meals. Princes Group’s Ruth Simpson said: “Our Long
Sutton site has long been an important part of
Further details about the agreement were the Princes family and we’re delighted to be
revealed at a special ground-breaking ceremony extending these facilities even further.
attended by staff from both companies including
Ruth Simpson, Princes Group Director of Food “This is part of a strategic move to make us
and Marketing, the adi Building & Refurbishment a much more agile and responsive business
team (many of whom are based on site and will right here in the UK, as well as helping to retain
be instrumental in the delivery of this project) as our foothold as a vital component of industrial
well as other key personnel from Princes. manufacturing in the region.

The large-scale project, which is set to run until “In adi, we know we have found a partner to help
next spring, will see adi help redevelop Prince’s us successfully deliver this huge undertaking.
Long Sutton site by nearly 19,000m² (204,000 The ability to manage the project all under
sq.ft), has already seen us create new car one roof was an attractive proposition for us
parking facilities on the west area of the site. and we’re really looking forward to seeing the
process evolve with them from now until early
The development has been taken on by adi’s next year.”
building and refurbishment division, however,
will also involve many divisions across the Group The news comes after Princes exciting recent
including electrical, mechanical and climate announcement of £80m investment at the plant,
systems as the project continues to develop with which is their largest food production site in
opportunities for many other companies across the UK, producing a range of canned products
the Group expected. including peas, pulses, beans, bean meals, fruits
and canned ready meals.
Commenting on the record-breaking project,
adi Building & Refurbishment MD David Beebee We will keep you updated as this landmark
said: “The contract with Princes marks a project develops over the coming weeks and
significant milestone for the team.” months with regular updates from the site and
project team across our Internal Communications
channels.

Best Practice Drops in to Meet Engineers at the
Cutting Edge

Earlier this year adi Group hosted the inaugural Institute of Directors (IOD) Chair’s
Best Practice visits saw IoD West Midlands head to Kings Norton.

The IoD group was hosted by Group Strategic Account director, James Sopwith who spoke about the successes of adi and our unique Formula One-
inspired culture surrounding continuous improvement.
James explained how adi’s sustainable model is to grow the business with additional engineering services every year, all of which are treated as individual
start-up companies led by a senior market specialist. James further described how this co-operative philosophy is demonstrated throughout the
workplace as team members are encouraged to hot-desk and collaborate with other employees, creating an atmosphere of positivity and productivity.
James also discussed adi’s keen focus on its people and culture.
IoD members also learnt about our inspiring ‘Engineering A Better Future’ programme, which aims to successfully deliver the Group’s vision to be an
‘organisation that people aspire to work for’, with CSR at the heart of everything we do as well as our pioneering Pre-Apprenticeship Programme. The
day cumulated with the IoD being treated to an exclusive private tour of our head office engineering facility to see what we do in action.
Feedback from the IOD was very positive from delegates who dubbed the event both informative and inspiring. IoD member Ivan Vickers described the
visit as “hugely beneficial” and “The best part was that I left with some new ideas and knowing how to implement them. I am really looking forward to the
next Best Practice Visit.”
Ian Galer, BHSF Group Chief Executive, also praised the event and said, “it was an excellent opportunity to see how another sector approaches the
common challenges we have as directors. “I personally took away at least two ways of working that will positively impact my business.”

7

adi Group Joins Seminar Helping The Industry
Speakers At MIY Expo Develop STEM Talent

James Sopwith (Group Strategic adi Group recently contributed to a white
Account Director) joined the Head paper on the development of Science,
of Supply Chain for Airbus UK, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
the Managing Director of Haribo (STEM) talent and issues surrounding the
UK & Ireland and Yvette Cooper, current nationwide STEM skills shortage.
MP for Normanton, Pontefract
and Castleford at the Made In The gap already costs the UK an estimated £1.5bn per year and 89 per cent of
Yorkshire (MIY) Exhibition. STEM businesses find it incredibly challenging to recruit the right talent. Which is
a worry when research from EDF Energy predicts that jobs in STEM disciplines
Made In Yorkshire is part of the Made In Group of which will increase at twice the rate of other sectors.
adi is a Patron of its “Made In The Midlands” arm. Made in
Yorkshire was the first region outside of the Midlands which Some of the biggest recruitment issues faced by the STEM industries are low
aimed to replicate the highly successful Made in the Midlands awareness of the diverse jobs available, the perception these jobs and a lack of
Campaign. It now boasts some 500 members across the meaningful work experience opportunities – all of which mean that the gap will
Yorkshire and Humber region. only widen as time goes on, unless action is taken at an earlier juncture.

The annual event, which is now in its 4th year, is Yorkshire’s The whitepaper, which features contributions from Semta, adi Group, Air
biggest showcase of manufacturing in the region and saw Products and GetMyFirstJob, talks about the steps that businesses can take to
over 1,000 decision makers from the Yorkshire Manufacturing develop a future talent pipeline, avoid ‘leaks’ and ultimately, mitigate the effects
community & supply chain and over 100 exhibiting MIY of the STEM skills gap.
members in attendance. This year the event was once again
held at the Centenary Pavilion at Elland Road in Leeds. Scan Me to view the Attract, engage and grow: how to develop
tomorrow’s STEM talent white paper or visit https://www.arm.co.uk/
Seminars at the MIY Expo covered hot topics in the resources/blog/engineering-related-blogs/attract-engage-and-grow-
engineering and manufacturing industry right now, such as how-to-develop-tomorrow-s-stem-talent/.
bridging the skills gap, managing growth, the impact Industry
4 is having on the manufacturing sector, international trade
and inclusivity in manufacturing.

James Sopwith delivered a seminar to a packed-out theatre
on the topic of “Sustaining a growing business”. Here he
showed how adi Group is driving sustainability across multiple
areas of the Group from expanding our portfolio of services
every 12-18 months, through our approach in engaging and
developing our team and then on to our Pre-Apprentice and
Apprenticeship programmes.

Also in attendance at the #MIYExpo19 event were Mike
Parkins (Operations & Business Development Director) and
Richard Greatorex (Business Development Manager) from the
Group’s Food & Beverage Services division who promoted adi
Group capabilities to delegates at the exhibition.

adi Automotive adi Building & Refurbishment Sponsors
Services Celebrating Construction Awards
Retains Achilles
Accreditation A key part of adi Building & Environment has to be proud of. Winners are
Refurbishment’s business selected through a regional awards programme to
Following a rigorous strategy is to increase go forward to the national finals held every year in
audit we are pleased awareness of the brand the autumn.
to report that adi in the West Midlands
Automotive Services has construction market. Adam Frankling, Associate Director at adi
been reaccredited to B&R said, “Sponsoring the drinks reception
the Achilles Automotive In support of this, the company sponsored the meant every attendee spent over half an hour
network of suppliers. drinks reception of Constructing Excellence’s surrounded by the adi brand. The B&R team
Celebrating Construction Awards 2019, which was also joined by key clients and consultants
Achilles Audits are used to verify that was held at the ICC Birmingham. on their table, where they were entertained
our management systems comply with by the host, Mark Durden-Smith (television
recognised standards for Health & Safety, Each year the Constructing Excellence Awards presenter and broadcaster), who publicly
Quality; Environment and Corporate Social are a celebration of everything the UK’s Built thanked adi for sponsoring the event. This has
Responsibility. undoubtedly increased awareness of adi Building
& Refurbishment as it continues to grow.”
Many of our clients in the Automotive sector
use Achilles to drive procurement with
decisions that are backed up by detailed,
relevant, up-to-date information about potential
suppliers they want to work with.

This is the fourth year running that the
Automotive Services team has achieved this
prestigious supplier standard. Well done to
Roy Cumberworth, Ritchie Webb, Rebecca
Edwards and the adi Automotive Team for their
work in helping us to maintain this standard.

Mayor of the West Midlands
Visits Aquapak Polymers

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands
recently visited Aquapak’s Hollymoor
Point facility.

Posting on Social Media, Mr Street was full of praise for the innovations
Aquapak is creating at the state-of-the-art production facility and said
“An exemplary business developing sustainable solutions for packaging.
Helping drive our clean industrial revolution.” Mr Street is pictured here with
members of the Aquapak team.

9

adi Group At adi Group Joins Schneider
Business In Electric For International
The Community Women’s Day
Showcase Event
adi Group was invited
Earlier this year adi Group was to attend a panel event
delighted to attend Business and seminar session
In The Community’s annual at Schneider Electric’s
showcase event at KPMG’s offices Coventry site as part
in Birmingham. of a series of events
being held at various
The event provides an opportunity for BITC members (like adi Schneider locations for
Group) to exhibit and share case studies/best practice to both International Women’s
fellow and prospective BITC members. Day.

The Group has previously showcased its Pre-Apprentice, The event, which had the theme of
Apprentice Academy and CSR Programmes at the event. Career Growth and Mentorship, saw
This year we shared our success and impacts made through Tina Lusty (Group Secretary), join
the Business In The Community Ready For Work Programme Schneider Employees to share advice
which we have supported for over eight years. and knowledge with people from various
business areas from graduates to Vice President level in attendance from
James Sopwith took to the stage to present on the work across the Schneider Electric business.
adi Group has done via this programme which helps
disadvantaged individuals in the local community build Following the panel discussion, the event also held workshops where teams
confidence in the workplace and gain transferable workplace came together to expand on the panel discusses covering all aspects
skills. of mentoring and mentee experiences. Alongside Tina, Ian Millington
(adi Automation) and Claire Frays (adi Group Services) also joined in the
We also had a stand at the event where delegates could discussion.
speak to us about our CSR Programme and hear more from
some of our graduating Pre-Apprentices about our pioneering A great example of how adi Group is working with external suppliers to share
programme and how this can be replicated in other business best practice and knowledge in engineering careers and development.
sectors.

We look forward to attending again next year – thanks to BITC
for a fantastic and inspirational event.

Aquapak Polymers Unveils New ITV News Comes
Website To Head Office

Aquapak Polymers has launched a brand-new Earlier this year ITV News
website giving itself a strong digital identity, as well came to head office
as informing its global audience on its latest circular to interview adi Group
economy developments. employees and capture
our workshops live in
The new site offers an improved user journey, making it easier for visitors to learn more about the action.
Aquapak journey so far plus the benefits and various commercial applications of its HydropolTM
product. Alongside our pre-apprentices, members of
the adi Mechanical team and adi Automation
The website is available to view across all platforms including mobile, team (plus Rex) and our Apprentices in action
desktop and tablet, in order to allow users, the best possible experience also featured in the film captured.
however they choose to access the site. adi Projects Managing Director, James
Sopwith and adi Mechanical’s Craig Webb
Visitors are also able to access a downloadable series of reports, white were interviewed live on ITV’s lunchtime news
papers, FAQs and data sheets as well as manuals to learn more of the discussing investment in the next generation
science and technology behind its current innovations. and the uncertainty of Brexit.

Scan me to visit the new look Aquapak website or head to 11
https://www.aquapakpolymers.com/

adi TEGG Service Wins ACE Award

adi TEGG Service was presented with a prestigious
award for Achieving Contractor Excellence (A.C.E)
by TEGG Corporation in strong competition TEGG
Franchise Global Network of Contractors.

The award recognises adi TEGG Service for
their outstanding performance in achieving
more than 90 points in the TEGG Contractor
of the Year scoring.

The overall Contractor of the Year award
is presented annually by ABM Franchising
Group to the contractor who displays the
most outstanding organizational performance
in the categories of activity growth,
sales performance, gross and operating
profit, maintenance base growth and
implementation of the TEGG system.

There are currently more than 90 TEGG
franchises globally, with only one receiving this
award every year. Whilst adi Group did not
win the overall Contractor of the Year Award,
to receive recognition as one of the top
performers globally is a huge achievement.

Divisions Across The Group Celebrate Best Companies
Success

In the last edition of the adi Mail we proudly announced that we had achieved our
second 1* Accreditation from Best Companies and would be holding celebrations
across the Group to recognise this achievement.

Events have been co-ordinated by each division lead and here are some of the highlights so far! At the time of going to print not all Best Companies
Celebrations had taken place so we will endeavour to include any additional photos we receive from any divisions still left to host their events in the next
edition of the magazine.

Stay tuned for details coming soon on how you can take part in the 2019 Best Companies Survey to share your feedback with us later this year.

13

adi Group Sponsors Birmingham & Coventry
Business Excellence Awards

adi Group will be sponsoring the 2019 Birmingham &
Coventry Excellence Awards which take place later
this year alongside ITV, HSBC UK, NFU, Elonex, Park
Regis, Wesleyan to name a few.

Both the Birmingham & Coventry Business Excellence Awards aim to celebrate success, recognise
achievement and highlight the innovative people and companies throughout these areas who are
putting the region on the map by boosting the economy while making a positive contribution to the
local community.

The Group is a headline sponsor at both awards and will also be sponsoring and adjudicating
two awards categories – the Excellence In Industry Award and the Sustainability Award. Both
categories are topics very close to our business with the Industry category focusing on Science,
Technology and Manufacturing and the Sustainability award focusing on corporate social
responsibility impact.

We are really looking forward to discovering the creative and unique ways that businesses in
Birmingham and Coventry are innovating and contributing to strengthening our regional economy
and the impact they are making with sustainability initiatives.

As well as this the Group is part of the huge marketing campaigns surrounding both awards
alongside ITV which means our brand is being broadcasted on television and in national
newspapers such as The Metro raising our profile not only in the Midlands region but also
nationally.

Stay tuned for updates on this exciting sponsorship and promotion in the run up to both awards
ceremonies later this year.

adi Environmental Joins
Customer Environmental
Awareness Event

adi Environmental was recently asked by
a customer operating in the Dairy sector
to support in their group Environmental
initiatives during their dedicated company
Green Week.

The event was attended by adi Environmental team members Lynne Potter
(Operations Manager / Group Environmental Manager) and Jon Wadley
(Business Development Manager) who gave talks on water. This was in
response to the particular the high use of site water in comparison to other sites
and the ways in which employees can use water smarter and more effectively.

Lynne Potter, said of the day, “The client took a David Attenborough video as
the basis of what they are doing as a business and how individuals can make a
difference. The suggestion box of ideas was quite inspiring, and I’m sure these
will be addressed by site as part of this initiative.”

“There was also quiz and a look at waste to effluent generated by cheese
making. The site manager discussed the impacts of whey to drain and how
the levels of milk waste depletes the oxygen content of water. Site employees
were engaged and provided a range of viewpoints. It was really positive to
see a a large business addressing these issues as a responsible future
thinking, organisation.

adi Waste Systems Set To
Return To RWM Exhibition In
2019

adi Waste Systems, will return to
the prestigious RWM Exhibition this
September to showcase its latest range
of solutions with our partners Sotkon.

As the leading recycling and waste management event in the UK, RWM
is a platform for the industry’s most influential names and organisations to
discover the latest innovations shaping their sector.

Mark Burgess, Managing Director of adi Waste Systems said, “The
underground solutions offered by adi Waste Systems and Sotkon can help
resolve many of the well-documented waste disposal issues faced by the
UK. “

“Smart telematic systems sense fullness levels and send alerts and data that
assist with collection planning to drive efficiencies and reduce emissions.
Sealed subterranean units, emptied by crane, are ecologically sound and
have been shown to minimise the bad odours associated with traditional
bin systems. And, given they are often more aesthetically pleasing thanks
to their innovative design, they can play a real role in urban regeneration
efforts.”

“With the experience of Sotkon having installed in excess of 30,000 systems
in Europe and supported by the additional expertise of the adi Group, adi
Waste Systems offers customers a diverse scope of operations built on its
ability to deliver cost-effective and environmentally friendly solutions to meet
all Waste Management requirements.”

adi Group Broadens “As businesses, we must recognise our mutual dependency. Not simply with
Sustainability Debate At our clients and suppliers, but with everything and everybody we interact
Leading Manufacturing Expo with.
“Our communities rely on us for job and wealth creation, for skills
Sustainability is a subject on everybody’s development and, to some extent, for identity. But, as businesses, we
lips in business circles - and for good depend heavily on the communities, people and organisations around us for
reason, with those working across many their skills and their energy, for resources, for infrastructure and for countless
sectors increasingly doing their best to be things more.
sustainable. “We owe each other everything and we all share the same destiny. We have
big responsibilities but that brings us big opportunities, if we engage with
But our terms of reference and, therefore, our actions around sustainability culture and people with real intent. We’re not talking about CSR as a simple
are too limited, warned James Sopwith, Group Strategic Account Director. tick-box exercise.
“We’re talking about inspiration as an aspiration. Inspiring our communities,
And he set out the business case for the much broader interpretation of inspiring our teams, inspiring the next generation of engineers we so badly
sustainability that informs the firm’s strategic growth and skills objectives for need in this country. And, ultimately, inspiring ourselves to achieve more and
the years ahead at the Made in the Midlands EXPO ’19. to achieve it together.”

“People talk about carbon footprints and resource depletion, and rightly so,” 15
said James. “Absolutely, we must take care of our climate and environmental
responsibilities.

“People talk about the financial stability of our businesses, and there’s
nothing wrong with that. If we don’t generate a surplus, we can’t reinvest
in order to grow. If we lose money, we perish. But, there, the sustainability
conversation tends to stop.

“However, we think there’s significant value, for everyone, in taking that
conversation much further to introduce a range of interlinking, related ideas.
We want to really open things up for discussion and for action. And we try to
set an example.

“At the adi Group, we believe the conversation around sustainability is too
narrow in its scope.”

“We need to evolve our thinking about sustainability. We should look at the
long-term viability of the many bonds that hold us all together. As people, as
communities, as a society and as an economy.

adi Group Opens New
Rushden Base

Up to 100 skilled jobs are set to
be created in Northamptonshire
after adi Group announced a
significant investment in a new
engineering and manufacturing
facility.

The adi Group has chosen a base at the Crown Way
Industrial Estate in Rushden. The move to the new
premises saw us look at several sites before finally
selecting Rushden as host to a key element of our
ambitious growth and job creation plans due to its
proximity to a number of our current and future key
clients.

In the process, we aim to further bolster the long-term
partnerships we enjoy with businesses engaged in
the food and beverage, manufacturing, automotive,
aerospace and defence, pharmaceutical and
petrochemical sectors.

Alan Lusty, CEO of adi Group, has high hopes for the
new facility.

“Our new Northamptonshire base gives us extra flexibility
and enables us to simplify the way we deliver services to
our partners in the region,” he said.

“In recent years, we have adopted a proactive approach
to achieving our strategic objectives, so this investment
is a real expression of not only that but of our confidence
in the area to provide the skills we’ll need to exceed the
expectations of our customers”

“adi Group has been operating in this area for many
years, but we now believe the time is right to further
invest, bringing our services closer to our customer
base, as well as allowing us to add value to prospective
customers across the East Midlands and down towards
London”

To mark the facility’s opening, adi Group held a launch
event at the 16,000 sq.ft. premises on Thursday
2nd May, welcoming Formula 1 star and Sky Sports
commentator, Johnny Herbert, as its special guest, along
with journalists and key clients.

Alan said of the event: “We’re all excited but what
animates us perhaps the most are the joint prospects
of providing even better solutions more easily for our
clients from the new facility, while at the same time
creating some great new job opportunities in the
Northamptonshire area.”

Whilst the facility is largely home to adi Mechanical
employees, the new building will also act as a base for
all Group companies going forward offering a gateway to
new and existing clients in the surrounding counties.

We are very proud of our growth and expansion in the
area and look forward to the short and long-term benefits
our investment in the area will bring to the whole adi
Group.

Scan me to watch highlights from the Northampton
Facility Launch Event or visit https://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=xjH7keEba4A

17

New Group QHSE QHSE UPDATE
Regulatory &
Compliance / CI Roy Cumberworth, Group QHSE
Manager & IT Director talks us through
the latest round-up of QHSE
John Corbett has joined news from across the Group.
the adi Group Services
team as Group QHSE A busy few months for the QHSE team as we continue
Regulatory & Compliance to grow our portfolio of accreditations. This has seen a
/ CI Manager. number of companies achieving:

Many of you will already know and have OHSAS18001 : 2007 – adi Building and Refurbishment
worked with John, who has worked with adi
for over 18 years, holding various roles across ISO14001 : 2015 – adi Electrical, adi Mechanical, adi
the adi Group, including Facilities Management Facilities Engineering, adi Building and Refurbishment
within client manufacturing sites, project
management for adi Climate Systems and Multiple companies maintaining their SafeContractor , CHAS, Altius and Achillies accreditations.
more recently as Operations Manager for adi
Facilities Engineering. All of these certifications and accreditations show our clients how serious adi Group and our employees
take their QHSE responsibilities.
John is familiar with adi Group people and
internal processes, as well as the standards Our hours worked since the last Lost Time Accident sits at over 1.5m. This is testament to everybody’s
of health and safety the law, our clients and hard work and commitment to working safely whilst carrying out their duties at work.
industry demand. John will be supporting Roy
Cumberworth (QHSE & IT Director), driving Going forward in 2019 will see ongoing externally auditing of our Quality, Environmental and Health and
health and safety objectives across the Group, Safety Management systems by our certification body NQA. The QHSE team will be focussing on this
working at senior level with Managing Directors and ensuring we are ready for the external audits!
and Managers of all adi Group companies.
His core remit will be assessing and providing Look out for the relaunch of Think Safe Work
support of the management of QHSE across Safe Home Safe and the QHSE alerts that will
all adi Group Businesses focusing on legal accompany this campaign.
compliance, Continuous Improvement of
processes and procedures and the continuous Remember To START!
promotion of positive safety culture across the
adi Group. Become an adi Health
& Safety Rep

Could you help us make adi Group an even
safer place to work? We’re on the hunt for
employee representatives to join the Health &
Safety Committee.

You’ll be expected to attend quarterly meetings
with the team and be a point of contact on site
for any health and safety matters. But more
importantly, you’ll have a voice in helping us to
drive H&S across the Group.

For more information please contact Roy
Cumberworth: [email protected]

adi Group Achieves Prestigious Gold RoSPA Award

The Royal Society for the Prevention of
Accidents (RoSPA) has awarded adi Group
a prestigious Gold Award for excellence in
health and safety practices.

Roy Cumberworth, Group IT & QHSE Director said, “As part of our entry,
we had to demonstrate and provide evidence of a good health and
safety management system by answering key performance questions
and supporting these answers with a concise portfolio of relevant
documentation.”

“In 2017 and 2018 we achieved the Silver RoSPA Award so for us to have
now progressed to achieve the Gold award is fantastic news for our QHSE
programme and a testament to the work employees are doing on a daily
basis to keep our workplace safe.”

“Our goal for 2020 and beyond is to retain our Gold Award so that we
can go on to achieve the Gold Medal RoSPA Award which is presented to
companies that achieve gold standard for five consecutive years.”

adi Building & Digital
Refurbishment Inspires Innov8ors Visit
The Next Generation At Head Office
Hydesville Tower School
adi Group divisions are
Staff from adi Building & Refurbishment working with Digital
helped put STEM skills on the map at Innovators at Solihull
Hydesville Tower School’s Careers event. College as part of the
adi Group’s ongoing
The ‘One Job Challenge’ Career Day event which formed part of Hydesville Tower’s commitment to supporting
National Careers Week events coincided with a variety of activities covering classes local colleges across a
and pupils of all ages at the school ranging from attending careers, apprenticeship wide range of Science,
and higher education fairs, meeting apprentices. Technology, Engineering
and Mathematics (STEM)
The day saw pupils from the schools year seven and year eight contingent meet initiatives.
employers from in and around the local Walsall area and engage in meaningful
discussions about the world of work and possible routes to employment. The adi Two student teams came to the Group’s head
team spoke about their routes into the world of construction and engineering as office facilities in Kings Norton to present the
well as what they have learned along the way. latest progress on their Digital Innov8or course
projects including ‘The Classroom of the Future’
David Beebee, Managing Director at adi Building & Refurbishment who attended – looking at emerging tools and technology for
the event said, “The adi B&R team had a fantastic day at the One Job Challenge education – and ‘Developing a Guidebot for the
event at Hydesville Tower School as part of their NCW 2019 activities. It was Blind’ – using robot technologies to assist the
fulfilling to be able to pass on our careers experiences to the next generation.” visually impaired.

“This was helped by the thought-provoking questions from the pupils who were The cohort of students presented ideas on both
obviously ambitious and looking for the best ways to secure a successful career. topics to adi Digital (the Group’s specialist digital,
Thank you to Hydesville Tower School, for inviting us.” IT and telecommunications division) and adi
Automation (the Group’s industrial automation
and control solutions division) before having a
chance to view adi Group facilities and the panel
shop in action to learn more about how adi
Group is implementing digital technologies and
industry 4.0 concepts into client projects.

Vic Brashko, Managing Director of adi Digital
said of the visit, “It was fantastic to have the
Digital Innov8ors at adi Head Office. We have
been doing a few projects with the students
ranging from mentoring and interviewing skills
through to supporting students on the Global
Conrad Challenge to present their vision of the
“Classroom Of The Future” so it was great for
them to come and see what we do here at adi
Group and how digital skills they are learning
can be transferred into the workplace. We look
forward to supporting the students on future
projects.”

19

adi Races Ahead With Heart
Research UK Dragon Boat
Battle Raising £15,000!

Some of the biggest businesses in the
Midlands put it all on the line this summer
in a bid to be crowned champions in an
exciting charity dragon boat race.

The community event, sponsored by adi Group and organised by Ritchie
Webb (adi Automotive Services), raised over £15,000 for Heart Research
UK, to pay for pioneering medical research across the region.

Overall, 14 teams took part in the 200-metre event, which started at
Stratford Boat Club on the river Avon, with five teams and 55 employees
entered from multiple divisions across the Group including; adi Automotive
Services, adi Climate Systems, adi Electrical, adi Mechanical, adi Healy
Compressor Services, adi Digital, adi Intelligent Buildings, adi Environmental,
adi Smart Metering Services, adi Projects, and adi Group Services.

The winning boat was skippered by Jaguar Land Rover’s Chris Harris,
while entries from BMW, Ocado, Lloyds Bank and Ascot Lloyd pushed the
champions to their limits.

Speaking about the occasion, adi Automotive MD and event organiser
Ritchie Webb said: “At adi, we’re all hugely aware of the role we can play in
helping improve the lives of people across the Midlands.

“The race not only saw everyone have fun and take part in healthy
competition, but also raised money for vital heart research and community
projects. I’d like to thank everyone who took part and helped support such a
worthy cause.”

Heart Research UK is a long-standing beneficiary of adi’s community activity.
Last year, a team of engineers scaled Ben Nevis, Snowden and Scafell
Pike in The Three Peaks Challenge to successfully raise over £9,800 for the
charity, while a recent Birmingham Velo ride added over £3500 to the pot.
To date, the adi Group has helped raise a staggering £70,000 for the charity
over a four-year period.

Its Midlands regional executive, John Lloyd, said the latest event was a huge
success: “We’re absolutely thrilled with the response to our first dragon boat
race - it was a wonderful day out and everyone had an amazing time.

“Congratulations to all of our teams, especially JLR captained by Chris
Harris, who rowed their way to victory.

“Thanks to adi Group, all the teams, and people who donated, we have
raised over £15,000 to fund Heart Research UK’s pioneering research into
the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease.

“The money we’ve raised will go a long way in
helping improve the heart health of people living in
the Midlands.”

Scan Me to watch video highlights captured
from the event here or head to https://www.
youtube.com/watch?v=icFwsFCduss

21

Multiple Divisions Go To
Battle In Rushden’s It’s A
Knockout

On Sunday 19th May four teams
from across the Group (plus
friends and family of the Group)
took part in the annual Rushden
Chichele Funfest It’s A Knock-Out
competition.

This is the fifth year in a row the Group has entered a team in
this event and our largest turnout to date with support from adi
Mechanical, adi Electrical, adi Healy Compressor Services, adi
Environmental, adi Projects, adi TEGG Service and adi Digital.

All teams put on a stellar show negotiating all kinds of fun
challenges and inflatable obstacles with adi Electrical emerging
victorious out of the adi companies and narrowly missing out
on the Top 3 teams.

Apart from providing a great day out for the whole community,
the primary purpose of Funfest is to raise funds for local
charities. It is jointly organised by three local groups – The
Rotary Club of Rushden Chichele, Rushden Round Table,
and Cynthia Spencer Hospice – and all proceeds are divided
equally between these three groups.

We’re pleased to share that £7800 has been raised - smashing
last year’s total. This year’s Round Table share will be going to
Northamptonshire Association for the Blind and Northampton
Domestic Abuse Service, and the Rotary share will be donated
to National Children’s Tumour Leukaemia Cancer Trust (NCTLC
Ltd) based in Earls Barton.

The Chair of the local Rotary committee sent in a personal
note thanking adi Group for their support saying, “A fantastic
effort from all at adi and obviously very much appreciated. The
support of adi on this year’s event has really made sure that we
have achieved astonishing success with record profits coming
back into the community. Once again thank you so much for
your continued support and we look forward to seeing you all
again next year.”

We’d like to say a huge thanks and well done to all of the
below participants for the Group teams who contributed over
£3,000 in fundraising donations to the charities that this event
supports:

Mech’ll Fix It

Charles Baker, Sam Scott, Kyle Sterry, Jordan Bell, Steve
Emery, Lee Gotch, Steve Forrester, Josh Jeffries, Matt Ellson,
Daryl Attwell, Grant West, Daniel McMillan, Andy Bryant and
Daniel Gibson

Ramin’s Bright Sparks

Ramin Esfandiarinia, Stuart McMillan, Josh Page, Nyron
Howell, Chris Murphy (and son!), Melissa Britchford, Greg
Noake.

The Good, The Bad and The Bulldozer

James Sopwith, Martin Smith, Richard Merritt, Luke Dawson,
Ian Cartwright, Murray Evans, Damon Bhakta, Brian Imrie and
Stewart Darby.

Lusty’s Ladies

Debbie Gibson, Heidi Granfield, Leah Talbot, Shannon Sterry,
Stacey Emery, Hayley Gotch, Aryden Granfield, Page Granfield,
Eden Granfield, Lydia Baker, Katherine Scott, Faye Simms and
Donna Bryant.

23

On Your Velo! Team adi Cycle
For Heart Research UK

Seven employees from adi Group and a team from JLR joined over 17,000 riders on a
100-mile closed route for the 2019 Vélo Birmingham in May 2019.

Ritchie Webb, Stuart Anderson, John Smalley, Jake Thomson, Dave Barnes, Claire Rowley and Rob Figures rode in the Velo for adi Group and were joined
by JLR employees Allan Walsh, Kevin Davenport, Vincent Pegg, Scott Holloway and Dan Thompson. The teams from both companies joined forced to raise
funds for Heart Research UK – the Group’s long-standing charity partner.

The race, which started and finished in the heart of Birmingham City Centre, took riders on an unforgettable tour of the Midlands which included travelling
through countryside, villages and passing through the historic Coventry Cathedral on mile 40 with c.1,500m of climbing throughout the route.

The adi Group team were very happy to get the weather on their side for the duration of the cycle and are very pleased to say that everyone finished with no
major incidents or breakdowns.

The team has had to train extensively to take on this challenge of 5hrs+ of cycling and we’re proud to share that the combined efforts of the team managed
to raise over £3,000 for Heart Research UK in the process. Well done guys and girls!

Donations are still being accepted over on JustGiving. Head to the following link if you would like to make a donation: https://www.justgiving.com/
fundraising/adi-group-birmingham-velothon-2019

Easy Fundraising Donations
Hit £1,800!

We’re pleased to share that employees using
EasyFundraising for their online purchases has
helped us raise over £1,800 for Heart Research UK.

Thanks and well done to all of our shoppers. Leading the charge is John Eggington (adi Group Services) who has raised over £500 followed by Rebecca
Edwards (adi Automotive Services) with £239 raised and Anna Freeman (adi Group Services) with £142.

Easy Fundraising is free and the best part is you don’t have to do anything! It’s a really easy way to raise money for us – you just use the easyfundraising site
to shop online with more than 3,600 well known online stores like Amazon, Argos, John Lewis, ASOS, Booking.com, eBay, Boden, and M&S and when you
make a purchase, the retailer sends us a free donation, at no extra cost to you.

Using easyfundraising means that we will have a steady stream of donations coming throughout the year. It’s an effortless way of raising funds consistently
alongside all our other fundraising initiatives. Once signed up, you will raise a donation for us every time you shop online via easyfundraising - whether you’re
doing your weekly grocery shop, buying car insurance, booking a holiday or even switching energy provider.

Visit https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/adigroup/ to get started or contact [email protected] for assistance or any queries.

Fundraising With Amazon Smile

Last year Rebecca Edwards signed up the adi Automotive Services team to Amazon
Smile to help us raise additional funds for Heart Research UK via online shopping
donations.

AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you
shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice.

We’re pleased to share that since signing up that the adi Automotive Services team has helped raise over £108 pounds for Heart Research UK via their
online purchases.

Thanks to the team for finding this initiative and for contributing additional funds to our overall total. If you’d like to find out more information about the
AmazonSmile program, head to http://smile.amazon.com/about to see how your division could fundraise for Heart Research UK via online purchases.

Upcoming Charity 25
Events

Jeans For Genes Day - Friday 20th September 2019

Dress down day - come to work wearing jeans (or non-uniform) for the day
for the small cost of £2.

Wear It Pink for Breast Cancer Now - Friday 18th October 2019

Dress down day - come to work in pink (or non-uniform) for the day for the
small cost of £2.

St Basils Big Birmingham Sleep Out - Friday 29th November 2019

Location: Birmingham Cathedral. Sleep out overnight for St Basils and help
raise awareness and prevent youth homelessness in the Midlands.

Christmas Jumper Day – Friday 13th December 2019

Dress down day - come to work in a Christmas Jumper (or non-uniform) for
the day for the small cost of £2.

Snowdonia Mountain Challenge 2020 – Friday 26th June & Saturday
27th June 2020

Experience the beautiful Snowdonia National Park on this amazing one-
day team event, cycling 40miles, summitting Snowdon and canoeing Llyn
Gwynant. Teams of 4 persons required. Individuals should register interest to
[email protected] as we may be able to fit you in a team.

Contact the CSR Committee for more details on any of the above
events or to receive a fundraising pack for your site for the dress
down days: [email protected].

Are you doing a charity event? Let us know so we can share your
stories in the next edition of the adi Mail.

#LottieTour Set To Return To adi Group

For the second year running, adi Group will be joining members of the Women’s
Engineering Society (WES) and will be posting photos of Lottie Dolls at work
during Tomorrow’s Engineers Week (November 2019) to show the huge range of
careers available in engineering.

During the week, photos will be posted on the done to compare to modern day.
adi Group Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and
Instagram with the hashtag #WESLottieTour Claire Frays, Group Communications Officer
to join other businesses taking part in the said, “We can’t wait to welcome Lottie back
#LottieTour. to adi Group in November for Tomorrow’s
Engineers Week to show the world what a
The aim of the project is to present images of career in engineering could look like.”
what a career in engineering might look like
by use of a Lottie Doll, to help capture the “Because we have so many disciplines
imagination of young girls and boys. The plan at adi Group we are perfectly placed to
is for parents, grandparents and other family showcase all kinds of engineering projects
members and friends to share the online photos to young people. Last year we only had
with the young people in their lives who may not Lottie with us for a short time so we were
have access to social media, so that this sparks limited to capturing photos at head office
an interest in engineering. before sending her on. Our aim this year is
to try to get Lottie out to live projects and
This year the theme is ‘Then and Now’ to with different divisions so we can showcase
celebrate how far engineering has come in the just how diverse the sector is and the range
past 100 years. Volunteers are being asked to of work it covers. Watch this space!”
have a look back in their company’s archives for
any old photos showing how things used to be

Inspiring Future
Apprentices

adi Group recently attended
the National Apprenticeship
Event and Conference to
promote engineering and
apprenticeships that we have
available across the Group.

The event which is considered the flagship national
apprenticeship conference for employers and
providers of apprenticeships saw thousands of
young people and adults aged 14-29, as well as
teachers, parents and careers advice professionals
in attendance.

Tina Lusty, Abbie Beaver (pictured) and Nicola
Gorman were on hand on the day on the adi Group
stand alongside one of our college providers, BMET.

adi Apprentice Named In Top 50 Women In
Engineering Awards

Congratulations to adi’s very own Abbie Beaver (adi Mechanical) on her achievement
of being announced in the Women’s Engineering Society’s Top 50 Women In
Engineering 2019. Abbie is pictured here receiving her award from Stephen Forrester,
Managing Director at adi Mechanical.

The WE50 raises awareness of the skills shortage facing the industry, highlighting the huge discrepancy between the number of men vs. women currently in
engineering professions.

It aims to change perceptions, encouraging young women to consider engineering as a viable and rewarding career. The theme in 2019 is ‘Apprentices’
and WES’ awards recognised the Top 50 Women who are either currently serving as apprentices or have previously been in an apprenticeship within an
engineering or related role.

The WE50 were judged by a panel of industry experts from organisations such as BAE Systems, Ford Motor Company, Merlin Entertainments, Mott
MacDonald and the Women’s Engineering Society so making the Top 50 entrants was certainly no mean feat.

Stephen Forrester said, “We are extremely proud to learn that Abbie has been recognised in the WE50 for her work as a current apprentice. Abbie joined adi
Group in 2016 in our first pre-apprentice intake and it’s fantastic to have seen her progress since becoming a full-time apprentice with adi Mechanical last
September.”

Dawn Childs, WES President said of the awards, “Since the inception of the Top 50 Women in Engineering list in 2016, WES has been privileged to be able
to identify, and thus help showcase, some amazing women in engineering.”

“Every year a different focus is chosen to ensure that we can shine a light on female engineers at different stages of their career and who have come to
engineering through many different paths. Apprenticeships remain one of the key routes for technical education and subsequently, to qualifying as an
engineer.”

“Consequently, we have looked at current and former apprentices in the WE50 list this year. The breadth and depth of roles and industries covered by the
entries was simply breathtaking and the achievements of the individual entrants were stunning – we have definitely found another truly inspirational list of
female engineers!”

27

Employee Spotlight: Meet Melissa Britchford from
adi Electrical

Electrical engineer Melissa Britchford might be in the minority but has never let her
gender hold her back. As part of International Women in Engineering Day she explains
what she loves about her job...

Melissa, whose sons are aged one and three, said:
“My typical hours are within normal day working, so
I’m able to get home and spend a few hours with
the boys before bedtime.

“Being an electrician is not a 9 to 5 job and anyone
going into it should expect to work anti-social hours
at times but I’m happy I’ve been able to find a way
of making my career work for me and my family.

“I’m really happy with all the support I’ve received
from adi. They’re very understanding when it comes
to any family issues, and I love how involved they
get in the community.

“They do a lot of charity work. I recently took part
in a charity It’s a Knockout competition and there’s
always some sort of fundraising activity going on.”

She may only be 5ft tall but Melissa says she’s only ever had one occasion,
Melissa Britchford can more earlier in her career, where she was the victim of
than hold her own in an industrial blatant sexism, but said women thinking of getting
engineering environment full of men.
into the trade do need a thick skin.
A qualified electrician for 11 years, she has spent
her career proving gender is no barrier to doing the job “I’ve been on sites where men have said ‘ooh
you love. we didn’t realise there was a lady here,
we’d better behave’ and my response
“When I first came out of school I wanted to join the is always ‘I may be female but I ain’t
army but was rejected on medical grounds. I was no lady’. I don’t want to be treated
devastated but decided to do the electrical engineering any differently,” she said.
course I would have done in the army under my own
steam anyway,” she said. “You feel like you have to do the job
better than anyone else because,
Her apprenticeship, with a small Southampton-based if you mess up, the assumption is
firm, was spent mostly in the back rooms of the city’s it’s because you’re a woman. The
General Hospital, fixing everything from on-call alarms to upside of that is that when you do
boilers - a time she credits with giving her the confidence prove yourself, it’s really satisfying.
to forge ahead in the industry.
“As far as I’m concerned I get on
“It would have been a big leap of faith for them to take me with doing the job and once people
on at that time - a 5ft-nothing, not particularly strong- see me working they soon realise
looking 16-year-old,” she said. I’m just the same as them.”

“I’m so glad they did because I got to work on a really While she welcomes gender equality
wide range of things. The diversity was brilliant.” she is worried it may be harder
for women to fit in in the future
But just a few months after qualifying, in the summer of as people become increasingly
2008, she was made redundant after the company failed. concerned about saying or doing the
Undeterred, she set up on her own and took her test wrong thing.
and inspection City & Guilds to give her an edge
over other electricians. “The men can be scared to have
a laugh with you and treat you like
After two and a half years of self-employment one of the team. It’s a fine line but,
she decided to return to permanent ultimately, I wouldn’t want people to
employment, working for various companies in treat me any differently to the rest of
the Southampton area. the workers on a site.”

She made the move to the adi Group, in 2015. Her gender has also been a positive at
times, giving her the chance to work on
Now aged 32 and living in Rushden, Northamptonshire, projects that men couldn’t - for example
she works as a test and inspection engineer, producing housing projects for vulnerable women.
compliance electrical condition reports for major
manufacturing industries in the area. Her size and stature have rarely been a
problem either.
“I make sure the electrics across the sites are safe and
working as they should, so testing lighting circuits, power “I might not be able to bend a 32mm
circuits and fuse boards,” she said. piece of conduit on my own, but then
neither can some men,” she said.
“I still do some of the more hands-on installation stuff too
but this role gives me a bit more flexibility, which is great as I “There’s generally nothing I can’t get
am now a mum of two young boys.” around, I might occasionally need longer
ladders or an extra pair of hands but, on the
flip side, there are spaces I can get into that most
men can’t.”

adi Apprentices Engineer The Future of
Tomorrow With Summer Camp

Enthusiastic apprentices at adi Group swapped the workshop for woodlands
at a special summer camp in Sutton Coldfield.

And, with the opportunity to further bond as a team and learn some vital life skills, the 19 electrical and mechanical engineering apprentices
were eager to step out of their comfort zones for the two-day event at NPF Adventure Park in Bassetts Pole.

The apprentices had to work together to bring back an “injured” team member, build a shelter and assemble a bridge – all essential parts of
the teamworking ethos we adopt here at adi Group.

Lessons in flat-pack furniture assembly, reconstructing paintball guns and water filtration further tested the apprentices’ mettle and their
engineering skills.

As a component of our wider full-time apprentice initiative, this first away camp aimed to challenge our young engineers to solve unique
problems.

Commenting on the importance of skills development and the away camp, adi Group Strategic Account Director James Sopwith said: “It’s
imperative that we not only take our apprentices out of their normal working environment, but also invest in skills development that will make
them more altogether rounded individuals.

“These are young people at a vital stage in their lives who potentially will be the ones helping to engineer a bright future for us all.

“We’re really proud of both our pre-apprenticeship and apprentice schemes, which have already paid dividends in terms of strengthening and
diversifying our full-time workforce.

“These two days event saw some really encouraging signs, both from a drive, passion and skills point of view, but also with one eye on our
teamwork and problem-solving culture, which is so vitally important to our success.”

Feedback from those in attendance was overwhelmingly positive with many apprentices commenting that it had been a good opportunity to
meet apprentices from other locations within the group, who they would not normally work alongside – so much so that we hope to make the
summer camp an annual event for all apprentices across the Group going forwards. Watch this space.

29

Pre-Apprenticeship Scheme First-Year Pre-Apprentices
Welcomes New Students Visit Aquapak Polymers

In July, adi Group welcomed its fourth pre- adi Group’s first year pre-apprentices
apprentice intake to head office for a taster ended the first year of the programme
day ahead of commencing the two-year with a trip to Aquapak Polymers.
programme in September 2019.
The students got the unique chance to tour Aquapak’s state-of-
The twelve students, from North Bromsgrove High School, attended an the-art facility at Hollymoor Point and had the chance to learn more
afternoon session formally introducing them to the programme content and about the world of sustainable plastics on their visit.
mentors they will be working alongside. As well as this, students toured the
panel shop and mechanical workshops and got to see first hand current As well as seeing first-hand the operations behind the plant,
projects the team is working on and the types of skills they will be developing students also got to see how engineering concepts, similar to the
as part of the course. skills they are developing with adi Group on the pre-apprentice
programme, are applied in real life factory environments.
The new intake brings the total of students to have undergone the programme
to 48 students since it commenced in 2016 with many students going on to Thank you to the Aquapak team for organising the visit and for
become full-time apprentices with adi or other businesses. showing our students around the site.

We will keep you updated as our new intake start their journey into the world of
engineering in the coming weeks and months across our social media sites and
internal communications channels

Class Of 2019: adi Group’s Second Pre-Apprentice
Intake Graduate

adi Group’s ongoing commitment to Commenting on the night and the students’ achievements, adi Group
addressing the UK skills gap has been strategic account director James Sopwith said: “At adi we firmly believe
celebrated with the graduation of 11 in the need to expose youngsters to potential new career pathways at a
more students from our pioneering much earlier age.
pre-apprenticeship scheme.
“The graduation event was not only evidence of the success of our
In front of a packed audience of influential business leaders, mentors and approach, but also a demonstration of how committed we are to making
proud parents, the youngsters, donning university-style graduate gowns, our communities much more sustainable.
collected their course certificates at adi Group’s headquarters in Kings
Norton, Birmingham. “Our investment in these students extends far beyond just delivering quality
local jobs, it’s also part of an ethos here at adi to engineer a better future,
And, underlining the scheme’s achievements, it was announced on the night where businesses and schools of all sectors work together to improve
that two lucky students would move on to a full-time apprenticeship at the prospects across the region.
multi-disciplined engineering firm.
“As a company that works with some of the biggest brands in the world,
Discussing his achievements, Bromsgrove student Lewis Smith, 16, said: we’re looking forward to showing these students even further the exciting
“It’s really been a unique experience. I know now that when it comes work available on UK soil.”
to applying for full-time work in the future, I’ll have something over the
competition. The scheme is especially relevant after Government figures recently revealed
that over 20,000 engineering candidates would be needed annually to fill
“Mechanical and electrical engineering are two sectors to get great roles at companies in the West Midlands alone.
experience in, so I’m really looking forward to what the future might hold.”
As one of the companies that has already exceeded its commitment to
“Everyone was really welcoming and friendly,” said 16-year-old Travis having five per cent of its full-time workforce made up of apprentices by
Cashmore about the experience. “The mentors made it really easy to get 2020, James is confident adi is delivering on the youth skills front.
used to the work, so I do feel like I have some great skills to take into full-
time work.” “We’ve really been ahead of the curve when it comes to apprenticeships,”
he said. “What we’re hoping to do is equip thousands of young people with
the practical skills that businesses need, but we can’t do it alone.

“Right now, we’re calling on companies across the region to follow the path
we have set up with pre-apprenticeships and address the UK skills gap
before it is too late.”

31

The adi Awards 2019

The employee awards are back for their sixth year in a row and we need your help
to select the worthy winners in each of our six awards categories. As usual we’ll be
revealing the winners at the adi Group Christmas Party in December 2019.

The Categories

Employee of the Year Apprentice of the Year

Awarded to the employee who has gone the extra mile, has pride and Awarded to the Apprentice within our business who is conscientious, has a
passion and has demonstrated exceptional reliability, quality of work, willingness to learn and goes the extra mile.
initiative, and professionalism.

Mentor of the Year Customer Excellence

Presented to the employee who inspires fellow colleagues and contributes Awarded to the employee who goes above and beyond the call of duty and
to supporting them to meet their professional goals. consistently delivers superior customer service to our clients.

Fundraiser/Volunteer of the Year Business Improvement of the Year

Recognising the employee that has gone beyond all expectations through Awarded to the individual that has developed an innovative product, idea,
involvement in community projects, fundraising, or volunteering. or process with the potential to generate significant income, increase
productivity, or save the company time and money.

Long Service Awards

Awarded to members of staff that have been with adi Group for 15, 20 or
25+ years.

What Past Winners Say: How Do I
Nominate A
“It was a huge surprise to Colleague For
be called on stage to win An Award?
my award. Knowing that
colleagues across the Group The nominations process is
appreciate the work I do quick and easy and you can
every day has given me a big nominate multiple times –
boost. Thank you to all that there are no limitations, so get
nominated me.” writing!

“raIeytacheamnwcaaldloosayr.tmsagniKvpriipnavcepletoeiarsineowlhtlcynomimniuafbgeeotneinrateohtrtxnselhaopcefttterhoIocyorghmeotfneaaucidvrcsgoeeoahandlhosnflieuedudfaopategrdptnhu.omc”eereytsand Simply fill out the nomination form at the link below
outlining the category you’d like to
evaaIpvarn“nfeoilIedtudtcloluetwemmenditfavtyhifbeseosaceeyrtatotdrhtalphgoelbleleurfyfaetttuchgahtinohentuedimehshbyrsoaapyeanriawawsmdonreaauyywarsrsr/wdaoet”nroalkfdrd. nominate a colleague in, the Group
company they work for along with
“It was a huge honour and surprise reasons why they deserve to win.
to be nominated for the employee of Scan me to access the 2019 adi
the year award, especially as there Group Employee Awards form
are so many inspiring and talented or visit
individuals across Group.” https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/JCWDY9K

“I had no idea that I had FAQ
been nominated and was
extremely shocked when • To make these awards as fair as possible, a
my name was called out. I’m rotating senior in-house committee is appointed
very proud of my award as it each year to determine the winners.
has come from the people I
work with taking time out to • Our judges look for many things in the awards
vote for me.” entries we receive – and not necessarily the
quantity of votes – so if you are in a smaller
division do not be deterred from nominating
colleagues as they still have the same chance to
win one of the awards.

• Please tell us WHY the person should win – this
could be as little as a few bullet points or a larger
paragraph. Entries where the reason for the
nomination is left blank will not be counted.

• You can make as many nominations as you want
in any of the categories – there are no limits.

• You can nominate the same person for multiple
categories – simply fill out a separate form for
each nomination and tell us why they should win
each separate award.

• Please direct any questions or queries to
[email protected]

THE STAFF ROOM Heard on the adi Grapevine. Got news, photos
or a story to share?
Send us your stuff! [email protected]

Aquapak Polymers employees
pictured on a recent visit to
the Northfield Community
Partnership. Each month the
team donates essential long-
life items to its food bank to
support those in need in the
local community.

adi Automotive Services recently sponsored Solihull Aldo joins the Rust Bucket Rally with our friends Steve and
Moors girls u13’s team with kit bags – here are four team Pete at Ilmore Engineering helping raise over £60,000 for
members proudly pictured with their new bags. Children Are Butterflies.

Ian Black Does The C2B WalkICaTLarnoIho£aahIclnefkdu1iBnenhieyto,slClkde6asaotnDao02lcutlcaoeoink0Bidsotunwe.tmv(tt0gWroa/o!oei”10icfdanura5Btstkigfl.lhd9okSeasTer1rrmleooiyris4tkwoaoumhae1awmtuaeree?ttrlsks,ocB(M2pdC,tiold1osoou“2ef2pI.ennttB1rb=eosaawS)eron1mtisiWiktenosr5eweiingolne9aedetmrs:1lsSkevIhw4oHa.enet1nnratrovp4yelskpiscypwailn:ee/nifetgos/aadkl)rslla,esre1cness2Fhocdvwuaiersmierrncniuittdketfinleet2myhnasebeicnbtnaa,odegfrnbomrrbdoselulpowevttgwlseee.woctnstioneoetotdgd.tfirunhaafckteuihtlsa/lhmneetuedhdssereEeaalsnwvirs.ogeienTsuliasghnothehdner

Ian Hart Does The Vitality
London 10,000

Back in May, Ian Hart (adi Projects) took part in the Vitality London
10K race to raise funds for Crohn’s & Colitis UK alongside his sons
Rufus and Sebastian.

The Vitality London 10,000 is London’s most inspiring 10K race and
featured a spectacular route in the heart of the capital, starting on
The Mall before finishing in front of Buckingham Palace.

Ian said, “Every 30 minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with
Crohn’s Disease or Colitis. These conditions are becoming more
common especially among young people. The impact on education, work, social and family life can be devastating. There is currently no known
cure but Crohn’s & Colitis UK are working hard to find one. We want to help them with this important work.”

If you would like to sponsor Ian head to the following JustGiving link: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rufus-sebastian-ian-hart

Andy Acha Joins Mondelez
Chirk To Bournville Cycle

Andy Acha from adi Automation recently took part in the Mondelez
Chirk to Bournville cycle in support of Acorns Hospice.

In total, 44 cyclists took part from five different Mondelēz sites
across both routes covering a total distance of 3838 miles (the
equivalent of cycling the distance between Bournville and Chicago!).
The cyclists volunteered approximately 550 hours of their time
(almost 23 days, equivalent to watching Eurovision 2019 on BBC
One, 150 times).

Andy said, “It went well and I got round in one piece although I had
a bit of a scare when I hit a pothole on a fast downhill section.”

So far over £4433 has been raised combining Virgin Money online
donations and offline donations, which Mondelez will cash match.

If you’d like to donate please visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/
Team/ChirktoBournvilleCharityCycle2019

Sarah Yelling Raises over £400 contributing to the teams final
Over £1,000 for fundraising figure which at the time of going to
Forever Friends print had reached close to £1,200.
Appeal
Sarah said, “I did it in 10 hours 20 mins and as
Back in May Sarah Yelling from adi Process you can see I was absolutely ecstatic to get it
Pipework took part in The Walk finished! I’m still sore now over a week on! It
of Life event for the Forever Friends Appeal at was well worth it, but 26.2 miles was no easy
Bath Royal United Hospital in memory of Nan task. Dean finished three hours ahead of Alix
who sadly passed away earlier this year. and I so that shows our level of fitness. Same
time next year? I’m not so sure. But I’m glad I
The Walk of Life is a sponsored walk along the did it!”
Kennet & Avon Canal. There are two distances
participants can choose from, the full walking “And I’ve now signed up to do a charity 140ft
marathon (26.2 miles) starting in Bishops abseil in September, I think I’m a bit mental!”
Cannings, or a 10 mile route which starts in
Bradford on Avon. Both walks finish at the The money Sarah has raised will be supporting
iconic Holburne Museum in Bath. thousands patients and their families cared for
at the RUH every year. The charity helps fund
Sarah chose to do the FULL walking marathon additional equipment, research and innovations,
as part of a team of seven individuals from as well as finishing touches and ‘extras’ that
Bridges Electrical with her partner Dean and complement the existing high-quality care at
friend Alix. Sarah and Dean managed to raise the Hospitals.

Well done Sarah, Dean and Alix on completing
the challenge and raising such a fantastic total
and best of luck with the abseiling!

CPD Success For Dan Josh Brown (adi Automation) pictured with his newly
Walker branded adi Group hockey stick. Did you know Josh plays
hockey for England and attends intensive training camps
Dan Walker (Electrical Supervisor at adi at Lilleshall National Sports Centre!? We’ve asked Josh
Automotive Services) has been successful in to get some snaps on his next visit as he continues his
obtaining his design and verification certificate, training alongside being a full-time apprentice with adi
18th edition wiring regs and EV charging Automation – watch this space for more photos and who
installation certificate - all in the same week. knows, maybe we’ll see him at a future Olympic Games
playing Hockey for Team GB!
Dan said, “The C&G 2396 Design & Verification
course was an intense week in the classroom followed up by the
design and verification of a two-storey training academy. Drawings
had to be produced to show lighting, emergency lighting and
power over the two floors. City & Guilds recommend a minimum
40 hours work but it took me well over 140 hours to get it
completed.”

“Every circuit had to be designed and calculated with evidence
shown that your design will operate safely under normal conditions
and operate the protective device in the time specified by BS7671
under fault conditions. Expected test results for all circuits had
to be provided along with O&M manuals, statements to back up
which manufacturers materials have been used and manufacturer
specifications for everything installed on the project.”

Well done Dan!

35

THE PIT LANE

Early Season Successes For Sherrington The season continues with races coming up at Brands Hatch, Silverstone
and Donington – we’re all 100% behind Patrick has he looks to continue his
A spectacular two days of racing took place earlier this year in Norfolk run of fantastic form so far this year.
courtesy of the BRSCC East Anglian Centre, as Snetterton’s 300 circuit
played host to a double header full of saloon, sports car and “allcomers” Scan me to watch Patrick in action (via Helmet Cam) at
style racing that entertained the spectators from start to finish with some Donington Park or visit https://youtu.be/U8AZr9wVqqo
thrilling action.
Upcoming Racing Dates
Patrick Sherrington was virtually unstoppable in the opening rounds of the
BRSCC OSS Championship, a home for some of the fastest and most 14th/15th September – Silverstone
incredible sports prototypes and sports racing cars in the UK.
19th/20th October – Donington
Race 1 saw him start on the front row alongside the Chiron of Richard
Wise and Sherrington had to wait until Lap 5 before finding a way past and Employees, families and clients are more than welcome to come and
cantering away in the lead throughout the remaining laps. Patrick would support Patrick at any of the above racing events this season. Please
end up winning by over 8 seconds with Wise in P2, while Julian Griffiths contact Claire Frays [email protected] for more information or to book
was best of the rest in 3rd place as all three drivers won Classes A, B and C tickets for any of the above events.
respectively.
Please note that tickets are collected on the day of the events and
Sherrington was then untouchable in Race 2 as he blitzed the field and further details on each race (including timetables) will be made available
took the flag by over a minute in the end, with Richard Fearns trailing in his approximately 1-2 weeks ahead of the events taking place.
wake in 2nd place and Adam Dale picking up 3rd and the Class B win in the
process, albeit only less than a second behind P2 man Fearns.

More of the same followed in Race 3 with Sherrington completing the hat-
trick in fine style, once again winning by more than a minute with Jack Fabby
clinching 2nd and the Class B win ahead of Normal Lackford in 3rd.

Patrick followed up this meeting with a sensational performance at
Donington Park in June claiming the Overall and Class A Winners titles –
much to the delight of his adi Group supporters in attendance!

COMPETITION WINNERS Competition Time!

Congratulations to our Q1 newsletter competition winners Aliyah Gall (adi Get your hands on a £25 voucher to a store/retailer/activity of your
Group Services) and Alex Slattery (adi Climate Systems). Aliyah won our choice. There are two vouchers up for grabs in our question and caption
question competition correctly answering that adi Telecom is now called adi competitions. It’s dead easy and all you need to do is send your answers
Digital whilst Alex won the caption competition. Both winners received a £25 and/or captions to [email protected] to be in with a chance of winning.
Amazon Voucher as their prize.
Competitions will close on Friday 27th September 2019.

Newsletter Question Competition

In which town is the new adi Group engineering facility located?

Newsletter Caption Competition

Winning Caption:
Budget cuts for the adi Christmas party meant that the pre-dinner
entertainment was not up to usual standards