Brian's Blog

A great start to the move

September 2009

The reorganization and restructuring programme across our UK businesses is gathering momentum. People are preparing to take on new roles, whilst equipment is winging its way from Woolwich to Lenham.

Merging working practice has the potential to see a clash of cultures that could seriously undermine what we are trying to do. I'm pleased to say that on the evidence I've seen so far people from both businesses are taking on "best practice" as opposed to "our way is best".

Whilst walking the Lenham site today I saw many examples of individuals and teams being empowered to make decisions and improve on what's gone before. I talked to numerous people from Hunter and Marley who were involved in installing infrastructure, Multikwik moulding machines and new cranes as well as witnessing first hand the remarkable makeover in the tool room. The individuals I spoke to across the site are obviously taking great pride in building something better. A great start to the move.

Although a lot of Hunter folk are filled with trepidation about moving their job to Lenham I'm hopeful that the positive attitude that those who have already moved are showing, will rub off on others. The new facilities are an improvement on what we've been used too and will provide all employees with an improved working environment.

In my last blog I suggested that our boys might give the Aussies a beating in the Ashes. Well they managed to do that so I'll leave the one day series for another day.

My own sporting activities have proved fruitful in recent times. For most of the season my golf has been well below par; however as a result of a golf lesson with the Barnard Castle golf professional Darren Pearce I'm currently in fine form and benefitting financially from several wins against my regular opponents Martin (Shergar) Wallace and David (Fingers) Dine.

Two weeks ago my golfing adversaries combined with me and our celebrity guest (Len Goodman of Strictly Come Dancing fame) to win the Alf Kennedy Golf Classic (in aid of the Variety Club charity) at Kingswood Golf Club. It was a fantastic event and it was a privilege to contribute in a very small way to a very worthy cause.

With the football season now in full flight it would be remiss of me not to mention Sunderland. To start the season with nine points from six games is as good a start as we've ever made in the Premiership and a win last night in the Carling Cup should help morale. For my money Steve Bruce has bought well and I'm hopeful (not confident) of a top ten finish, which will see me win a very small wager with Steve Latter our Logistics Manager (he's won it for the past two seasons). This weekend sees former manager Mick McCarthy bring Wolves to the Stadium of Light. I'm one of the few people who felt that he didn't get supported by the board after taking Sunderland back into the Premiership. I hope he gets a warm reception from the Sunderland fans.