Senior team up skilled by Management Academy

Wainwright’s innovative Management Academy has come to the end of its first cycle, delivering tangible results for the business by empowering and up-skilling its management team.

Since the Academy launched in September 2017, staff with line-management responsibility have attended sessions led by Simon Hares of Serial Trainer 7.

Topics covered include strategy development, leadership and influence, performance management, and time management.

The final session, held on Monday, 11 June, focused on operating effective and lawful recruitment processes. All participants in the Management Academy attended, and agreed that their skills have been enhanced as a result of the programme.

“It’s been great to put Wainwright’s management team through this process,” commented HR Director Lisa Saunders. “The benefits of investing in our people are clear for Wainwright, and for the quarrying industry more widely.”


“Wainwright is committed to the growth of its people, and managers play a crucial role in that,” said Brian Rexworthy, Financial Director. “By investing in them, we develop the whole workforce, delivering improved efficiency, productivity and staff satisfaction throughout the business.”

Wainwright coordinates industry litter pick on 13 miles of public highway

Wainwright recently coordinated a combined effort by five quarry companies in the Mendip Hills to clear litter and larger items such as abandoned mattresses and microwaves from 13 miles of public highway. 

As well as organising the project, Wainwright supplied traffic management and supervisors over five days during the week commencing Monday, 16 April.

Other companies involved – all members of the Mendip Quarry Producers (MQP), which funded the litter pick – were Aggregate Industries, Hanson, Tarmac, and Morris & Perry.

With the companies taking it in turns to provide volunteer staff each day, the litter pick focused on roads around the Mendip Hills. More than 550 bags of litter were collected throughout the week, giving a sense of the scale of the operation.

“Littering is an issue that I feel very strongly about,” said Peter Barkwill, Wainwright’s Chief Executive, who initially proposed the idea of an MQP-sponsored litter pick. “Our beautiful landscape is blighted by litter strewn among hedgerows and in verges. By clearing it, we’re improving the situation for everyone, and making a tangible difference to our surroundings.”

Mendip District Council was pleased to support the litter pick, and three of its councillors came to speak with volunteers on the final day, Friday, 20 April. They were Cllr Nigel Taylor, Cllr Philip Ham and Cllr John Parham.

Cllr Parham, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Governance and Corporate Services, said: “Congratulations to all of the quarry businesses that were involved in this worthwhile project, it was a fantastic effort and you can absolutely see the difference they have made along the route.

“We look forward to working with them all on future events and offer support to see how in the future we can recycle as much of the litter as possible.”

Mr Barkwill added: “We hope to make the litter pick an annual event, to keep on top of this problem in future. It is clear that the government alone cannot afford the cost of keeping our countryside litter-free, so companies like Wainwright and our fellow MQP members need to step up and make a difference for the good of everyone.”

“I found it inspiring to be involved in this project,” said Paul Bishop, a Wainwright employee who took part in the litter pick. “I live locally, and I’m proud that our quarry companies have pulled together to improve the environment in this way.”

Wainwright on track for success at Castle Combe

Wainwright’s Surfacing Division has recently resurfaced some of the track at Castle Combe race circuit in Wiltshire.

As part of the project, the team laid more than 1,100 tonnes of Wainwright’s proprietary Trackphalt material, which was supplied from the company’s Avonmouth Asphalt plant near Bristol.

The substantial and high-profile job required three paving machines to be on site in February 2018. Operatives deployed a method known as ‘echelon paving’, involving pavers laying side by side and in sequence to minimise surfacing joints, thereby enhancing longevity and strength.

 “After undertaking some resurfacing of the circuit in 2015, Wainwright has maintained a strong relationship with Castle Combe,” explained Matthew Moore, Operations Supervisor at Wainwright, whose team undertook the project. “We were then chosen as the preferred contractor to resurface the rest of the track this year – a job that we were delighted to take on.”

In order to execute the scheme as efficiently as possible, Wainwright’s Sales, Asphalt and Technical operations worked in conjunction with the Surfacing Division. This reflects the versatility of the business, which has grown substantially in recent years and is involved in a number of infrastructure projects throughout the South West and beyond.

“The project was managed superbly by Matthew Moore and his team of operatives,” commented Lee Seviour, Wainwright’s General Manager – Surfacing. “It’s a great piece of work to have been involved in, with a high profile locally. It posed a technical challenge that we were pleased to meet.”

Photography by Ian Sweetman

Frome College engineering students visit Moons Hill

A group of engineering students from Frome College visited Moons Hill on Tuesday, 16 January, as part of their careers studies.

The Year 10 students are completing a Level 2 qualification in Engineering. The trip provided them with an insight into how working quarries operate, as well as guidance about potential career paths in the industry.

Hosted by staff at the Somerset Earth Science Centre, the 20-strong group toured Moons Hill Quarry and Wainwright's asphalt plant. They also learned about industry processes such as risk assessments and health and safety.

"We have been extremely lucky that both the Somerset Earth Science Centre and employees from John Wainwright & Company have been working alongside us to set the students assignments," wrote Mrs Smart, Subject Leader for Design, Technology and Engineering at Frome Cellege in a report about the visit. "This gives the students a great opportunity for any future career aspirations, and is also great experience for university applications."

Lisa Saunders, Wainwright's HR Director, said: "We are committed to inspiring the next generation to pursue a career in quarrying, which is a major employer in the local economy. It's always great to welcome young people to Moons Hill, and have a chance to enhance their knowledge of our business."

New 75 tonne excavator delivered to Moons Hill Quarry

The latest addition to Wainwright's expanding fleet of plant machinery is a brand new Volvo excavator, which was recently delivered to Moons Hill Quarry.

The 75-tonne EC750E – a long-anticipated model from the Volvo product range – is powered by a considerable 16-litre Volvo diesel engine and features advanced fuel-efficient technology.

Commenting on the acquisition, Peter Barkwill, Chief Executive, said: “Our quarry machines are regularly reviewed and upgraded to ensure they meet the needs of the business. This new excavator from Volvo - with its power, capacity and fuel efficiency - helps us to maximise productivity and efficiency around the quarry".

University students help build Wainwright’s brand

Students from the University of the West of England (UWE) in Bristol have undertaken a mock branding exercise on behalf of John Wainwright & Company Ltd.

As part of a campaign to promote an imagined new range of Wainwright Workwear, the students pitched ideas to Tim Gibson, Wainwright’s Communications Director who is also a senior lecturer at the university.

“The students delivered bold suggestions for how to reach a target audience for the brand,” Tim reported. “They demonstrated a profound understanding and appreciation of the heart and heritage of Wainwright as a business.”

The students are studying for a degree in creative and professional writing. A key component of the course is work on real-world campaigns and case studies, and Tim draws on his experience with Wainwright to help shape their learning.

By engaging with Wainwright’s history, market and competitor brands, the students were able to craft a campaign that captured the company’s distinctive spirit and resonated with customers.

By Samuel Whitlock, Yr 1 BA (Hons) Creative & Professional Writing

Wainwright Management Academy goes live

Wainwright launched its new Management Academy last week, with 12 supervisors and managers from across the business attending a two-day course at the Somerset Earth Science Centre.

The sessions were led by Simon Hares of Serial Trainer 7, and proved highly engaging for the attendees. They were interactive in nature, and the feedback has been great.

This is the start of a nine-month training programme for Wainwright’s management team. Its aim is to equip managers with the necessary tools for their role, and reaffirm the company’s commitment to staff development. A second cohort of 12 managers will begin the programme in October.

Bristol Doors Open Day draws in the crowds

More than 150 people visited Wainwright’s Avonmouth Asphalt facility as part of the Bristol Doors Open Day on Saturday, 9 September.

Visitors enjoyed tours to the very top of the state-of-the-art asphalt plant, giving them wide-ranging views of the Bristol skyline and surrounding scenery. They also had a chance to get hands-on with the technical team, learning about the different properties of asphalt and its varying applications.

“It was great to see so many people with an interest in Wainwright, especially as we’re relatively new to the Bristol area,” commented the company’s Operations Director, Wayne McKeown. “Our team relished the chance to share something of our 127-year heritage and our industry. The day was a great success.”

Wainwright opens Avonmouth for Bristol Doors Open Day

Wainwright’s innovative Avonmouth Asphalt production facility will be open to the public on Saturday, 9 September from 10am to 3pm as part of the Bristol Doors Open Day.

The event is an opportunity for businesses around Bristol to show people around, giving a rare insight into their activities. Avonmouth Asphalt is a cutting-edge plant that utilises the very latest green technology to enhance sustainability and optimise efficiency. Visitors will see the site’s environmentally friendly features, including solar panels and electric-vehicle charging points, as well as enjoying a tour of the asphalt production plant.

In addition, various displays will showcase the company’s surfacing equipment, as well as providing an insight into the way asphalt is produced. There will also be a display detailing Wainwright’s 125-year history, and explaining the contribution it makes to the local area.

Tours of the asphalt plant must be pre-booked, and the list is currently full. But Wainwright encourages visitors to come and enjoy the other attractions, including free refreshments.

To find out more about Bristol Doors Open Day, visit www.bristoldoorsopenday.org.uk.

Wainwright aims high on England’s steepest A-road

John Wainwright & Company Ltd recently completed a resurfacing job on one of the steepest roads in the country.

The A39 at Porlock Hill in West Somerset has a gradient of 1 in 4 (25 per cent). When Somerset County Council sought a contractor to resurface it, Wainwright leapt at the chance to test its mettle in a challenging environment.

“There’s routine road maintenance and then there’s routine maintenance on a hill with a 1 in 4 gradient,” said Councillor David Fothergill, Somerset County Council’s cabinet member for highways. “Clearly, this was no ordinary resurfacing job, and required specialist equipment as well as harnessing the expertise of our team.”

The specialist equipment in question included an integrated paver and an all-terrain forklift truck that came all the way from Germany.

Because of the steepness of the hill, which is on the edge of Exmoor National Park, safety barriers were erected to protect the workforce and nearby properties.

“Porlock Hill was certainly a challenging job for our team,” remarked Lee Seviour, Wainwright’s general manager, surfacing. “It involved two weeks of concerted effort, including one week of 24/7 closure to the road. The fact we finished on time and on budget is testament to a lot of hard work, careful organisation and forward planning.”

The material for the job was supplied from Wainwright’s Avonmouth asphalt production facility. It included Wainwright’s proprietary 14mm Elastermat PSV 68 Heavy Duty Dense Asphalt Surface Course, utilising a rubberised binder that was especially well-suited to the steep gradient on Porlock Hill.

Futures Foundation awards first grants

Following its launch in 2016, The Wainwright Futures Foundation has awarded its first grants to local causes.

The Foundation’s trustees met in March to sift the first swathe of applications. After subjecting them to rigorous assessment, they unanimously agreed on the projects that were most attuned to the Foundation’s guiding principles of encouraging environmental sustainability and community flourishing in Wainwright’s areas of operation.

Grants awarded so far include:

·         Support for a local church-led community project for disadvantaged elderly people and young parents in rural Somerset

·         Assistance to a local primary school for a sensory garden

·         Sponsorship of a local history trail to celebrate the culture of a local village

The trustees will meet every quarter to assess grant applications by reference to the Foundation’s criteria. Its funds are derived from sales of the Wainwright history book, published to celebrate the company’s 125^th anniversary in 2016. Further monies come from a donation made by Wainwright as a proportion of its income from aggregate sales.

To seek support from the Wainwright Futures Foundation, applicants should contact Joni Stoker, PA to Peter Barkwill: joni.stoker@wainwright.co.uk / 01749 840 274.

Wainwright covers the bases

John Wainwright & Company Ltd has recently supplied asphalt to two major military bases in the South West, in a sign of its growing presence in the region.

The company, which officially opened its new £9m asphalt plant at Avonmouth, near Bristol, in August 2016, has been supplying asphalt from its headquarters near Shepton Mallet, Somerset, since the 1980s. With the launch of Avonmouth Asphalt, Wainwright has significantly grown the size of the area in which it operates.

This is seen in the recent supply of 652 tonnes of asphalt to resurface the internal roads at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth. The 10mm SMA Surface Course 55PSV was produced at Avonmouth and supplied to Associated Asphalt, which was the surfacing contractor on the project.

“Supplying as far afield as Dartmouth is a great fillip for Wainwright,” commented the company’s sales director, Justin Thorner. “It reflects the reach of our business, which has been greatly enhanced by our major investment at Avonmouth.

“It’s also fantastic to be involved in a project as prestigious as this,” he continued. “The College is a totemic institution in the South West, where the navy trains all of its officers. So, for a long-established company like Wainwright, it’s a real honour to know that we’ve played a part in its ongoing success.”

HBM trials and commercial test prove successful

The trial and first commercial use of Wainwright’s range of new Hydraulically-Bound Materials (HBM) has proved successful.

The HBM trials got underway at Moons Hill in the autumn of 2016, when the product was laid over a 4,000m² area, including 1,800m² in a heavily trafficked part of the site where haulier and quarry plant often pass. Specialist Wirtgen mixing and laying machinery was used to safeguard quality.

Visual inspections in the months following the trials showed the materials to be standing up well to heavy use, while testing for moisture content, Particle Size Distribution (PSD), and strength and density yielded positive results.

“We’ve submitted the materials to extensive examination, including in-situ coring,” said business development manager Simon Lumkin. “The results so far have exceeded expectations, giving us every confidence in HBM as a product that we can add to Wainwright’s offering.”

The material also performed well in a recent commercial application, during which Wainwright successfully laid HBM for a resurfacing project at Portishead, Somerset, on behalf of Skanska. “The project involved a busy road near to the town’s marina,” said Simon. “The use of HBM proved highly effective, as well as enhancing the project’s environmental credentials.”

Hydraulically Bound Materials (HBM) utilise cementitious products that are bound as a result of a reaction with water. As a product, it offers a range of benefits:

·         The capacity to incorporate a high proportion of recycled materials in the mix

·         Lower carbon emissions compared with traditional base-layer materials

·         A sustainable product, which enhances a project’s green credentials

·         Lower costs, because lower-grade quarry or recycled materials are brought higher up the value chain

·         Laid using conventional paving equipment and plant, meaning minimal additional training for operatives

Wainwright has the capacity to create HBM to a variety of specifications, including the following standards:

C3/4                    

C5/6                    

C6/8                    

C8/10                  

C12/15 

RCC           

Growing fleet signals success

The number of trucks in Wainwright’s fleet has increased to 60, in a reflection of the company’s expanding footprint and the growing demand for its products.

One of the new additions to the line-up is an articulated lorry, owned by Dan Chubb at Factfirm haulage company. This will be used mainly to transport materials between Moons Hill and Avonmouth Asphalt, thereby reducing the road miles needed to carry tonnages between locations.

Wainwright's new V8 Scania articulated lorry

“When I took over the role of Transport Manager in 2014, Wainwright had 24 trucks,” explained Sales Director Justin Thorner. “The fact this figure has gone up by 36, and now includes an impressive V8 Scania articulated lorry, says something powerful about the company’s development in the intervening three years. Wainwright is going places – literally and metaphorically.”