WEATHERITE INVESTS £1.2M IN NEW FACTORY EXTENSION & MACHINERY
Weatherite is extending its premises with a £500K investment plan
The 5,000 sq ft extension will see one of its four secondary factory premises increase by 50 per cent, from 10,000 to 15,000 sq ft, and will create new jobs for local apprentices including electricians, refrigeration engineers and assemblers.
Planning has been challenging but after two years of negotiations, the extension will be complete in the Autumn.
Weatherite Group Chairman, John Whitehouse, who has led the expansion plan, said: “We have worked closely with architects and Sandwell Council and pleased to see that work is well underway on this significant extension.”
The company has so far invested £350K although completion is not likely until later-on this year following a further £200,000 of finishing is authorised.
Mr Whitehouse continued: “We are extremely busy and our prospects are ever-growing. We therefore need to provide extra manufacturing and storage space.”
As well as the extension, the company has also recruited ten employees across the Group over recent months, and further invested another £800K in new machinery.
Mr Whitehouse said: “The incredibly important production process starts in the machine shop and a number of the AMADA machines are now more than 20 years old, the oldest being 30 years old and although still working, are becoming less reliable.
“As a consequence, Weatherite Group has decided that where possible, it should have at least two machines that are able to perform the same or similar function and, in that respect, the company has purchased a new Schroder Folder at a cost of £200K and a £300K Amada Turret Punch Press.”
The company has also installed a new Italian Hot Wire Cutter which will be used to accurately cut thick Polyfoam insulation. This has been made necessary to comply with new regulations which require that the company’s air handling units be built with much improved thermal properties and thereby providing a more energy efficient product.
Weatherite announces key promotion
Weatherite Service & Maintenance has announced a key promotion, despite lockdown restrictions and different working arrangements.
The company has promoted Kirsty Bunn to operations manager as it continues to grow and win new business.
Kirsty, 33, who has been working for the business for nine years, will oversee Weatherite’s client portfolio and manage quotations and estimates across a varied portfolio including Bannatyne Health Clubs, British Gas and Marks & Spencer.
A determined member of the team, Kirsty has been promoted twice in the last three years. She started at the business in 2011 as service coordinator and has had various roles within the business, recently outgrowing her former assistant manager position.
Kirsty reports to Ricky Brookes, Director at Weatherite Service & Maintenance, who said: “Kirsty is a valued team member and her recent promotion to operations manager is well deserved and a reward for her dedication to the business over the past nine years.
“We currently have a rota of staff in the office to keep numbers down due to COVID restrictions, and despite these new working arrangements, Kirsty has excelled over the last six months. She has vast knowledge of the business, is commercially driven and has gone from strength to strength.”
Weatherite Service & Maintenance Ltd is the oldest operating company within the Weatherite Group, which launched in 1972. It is now one of the UK leaders in the servicing and maintenance of all aspects of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
Weatherite Service & Maintenance operations manager, Kirsty Bunn.
WEATHERITE GROUP OF COMPANIES CORONAVIRUS RISK ASSESSMENT
Issue date 12/05/20
Weatherite intends to operate as safely as possible during the coronavirus pandemic, minimising the risk to our workforce and others whilst still providing an efficient and quality service to our customers.
We have carried out a formal risk assessment to assess the risks of COVID-19 with the view to doing everything practicable to minimise these risks. Our findings and approach have been extracted from the formal risk assessment and summarised below:
WHAT IS WEATHERITE GROUP DOING TO CREATE A SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT FOR YOU?
- We will prevent the spread of the disease by adhering to current government guidelines
- We will keep management informed of any changes to government guidelines and instruct accordingly
- We will carry out only necessary work during the pandemic
- We will keep workers fully informed of any measures put in place, with appropriate signage displayed as applicable
- We have instructed employees that anyone who has symptoms or lives with someone who has symptoms should not attend work.
- We will have anyone who displays symptoms at work leave the premises
- We have increased cleaning regimes in both the offices and the Shop floor.
- Office staff have been instructed to work from home where possible.
WHAT CAN WEATHERITE GROUP EMPLOYEES DO TO MAINTAIN A SAFE WORKPLACE?
- We remind employees frequently what the symptoms are and suggest that they take their temperature before leaving home
- We have instructed employees to wash their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or more, or use hand sanitiser, before they leave and at the beginning and end of every break
- Workers have been reminded that they should cover mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when they cough or sneeze, put used tissues in the bin as soon as possible and wash hands afterwards (if a bin is not available the tissue should be put in a pocket or bag until it can be placed in a bin). Bins are emptied frequently.
- Where the sharing of tools and equipment is unavoidable, the risk has been reduced by individuals practising good hand hygiene, wiping over tools and equipment frequently with anti-viral wipes.
- Individuals are instructed that they must use the hand sanitiser product supplied on entering reception or offices.
WHAT ABOUT COMMUNAL AREAS?
- There are ample hand washing facilities and several hand sanitising stations have been set up.
- Breaks have been staggered to minimise the amount of personnel in one area, e.g. canteen, restrooms, and smoking areas.
SOCIAL DISTANCING IN THE WORKPLACE
- Individuals have been instructed to maintain a 2 metres distance where possible. Where this is not possible, employees have been allocated to the same ‘team’ wherever possible to limit social interaction. Employees try to work side by side or facing away from each other rather than face to face.
VISITORS
- No visitors are admitted unless their visit has been pre-arranged
- Visitors to reception, shop floor deliveries etc are instructed to use the provided hand sanitiser immediately upon entry to the premises.
- Visitors are expected to follow the company's social distancing measures and good hygiene practices. They are informed of these by signage instruction, verbal instruction, employee example and/or induction. Any visitor failing to do so are asked to leave. A Perspex screen has been erected in reception.
WEATHERITE GROUP OF COMPANIES CORONAVIRUS RISK ASSESSMENT
Issue date 12/05/20
Weatherite intends to operate as safely as possible during the coronavirus pandemic, minimising the risk to our workforce and others whilst still providing an efficient and quality service to our customers.
We have carried out a formal risk assessment to assess the risks of COVID-19 with the view to doing everything practicable to minimise these risks. Our findings and approach have been extracted from the formal risk assessment and summarised below:
WHAT IS WEATHERITE GROUP DOING TO CREATE A SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT FOR YOU?
- We will prevent the spread of the disease by adhering to current government guidelines
- We will keep management informed of any changes to government guidelines and instruct accordingly
- We will carry out only necessary work during the pandemic
- We will keep workers fully informed of any measures put in place, with appropriate signage displayed as applicable
- We have instructed employees that anyone who has symptoms or lives with someone who has symptoms should not attend work.
- We will have anyone who displays symptoms at work leave the premises
- We have increased cleaning regimes in both the offices and the Shop floor.
- Office staff have been instructed to work from home where possible.
WHAT CAN WEATHERITE GROUP EMPLOYEES DO TO MAINTAIN A SAFE WORKPLACE?
- We remind employees frequently what the symptoms are and suggest that they take their temperature before leaving home
- We have instructed employees to wash their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or more, or use hand sanitiser, before they leave and at the beginning and end of every break
- Workers have been reminded that they should cover mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when they cough or sneeze, put used tissues in the bin as soon as possible and wash hands afterwards (if a bin is not available the tissue should be put in a pocket or bag until it can be placed in a bin). Bins are emptied frequently.
- Where the sharing of tools and equipment is unavoidable, the risk has been reduced by individuals practising good hand hygiene, wiping over tools and equipment frequently with anti-viral wipes.
- Individuals are instructed that they must use the hand sanitiser product supplied on entering reception or offices.
WHAT ABOUT COMMUNAL AREAS?
- There are ample hand washing facilities and several hand sanitising stations have been set up.
- Breaks have been staggered to minimise the amount of personnel in one area, e.g. canteen, restrooms, and smoking areas.
SOCIAL DISTANCING IN THE WORKPLACE
- Individuals have been instructed to maintain a 2 metres distance where possible. Where this is not possible, employees have been allocated to the same ‘team’ wherever possible to limit social interaction. Employees try to work side by side or facing away from each other rather than face to face.
VISITORS
- No visitors are admitted unless their visit has been pre-arranged
- Visitors to reception, shop floor deliveries etc are instructed to use the provided hand sanitiser immediately upon entry to the premises.
- Visitors are expected to follow the company's social distancing measures and good hygiene practices. They are informed of these by signage instruction, verbal instruction, employee example and/or induction. Any visitor failing to do so are asked to leave. A Perspex screen has been erected in reception.
WEATHERITE GROUP OF COMPANIES CORONAVIRUS RISK ASSESSMENT
Issue date 12/05/20
Weatherite intends to operate as safely as possible during the coronavirus pandemic, minimising the risk to our workforce and others whilst still providing an efficient and quality service to our customers.
We have carried out a formal risk assessment to assess the risks of COVID-19 with the view to doing everything practicable to minimise these risks. Our findings and approach have been extracted from the formal risk assessment and summarised below:
WHAT IS WEATHERITE GROUP DOING TO CREATE A SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT FOR YOU?
- We will prevent the spread of the disease by adhering to current government guidelines
- We will keep management informed of any changes to government guidelines and instruct accordingly
- We will carry out only necessary work during the pandemic
- We will keep workers fully informed of any measures put in place, with appropriate signage displayed as applicable
- We have instructed employees that anyone who has symptoms or lives with someone who has symptoms should not attend work.
- We will have anyone who displays symptoms at work leave the premises
- We have increased cleaning regimes in both the offices and the Shop floor.
- Office staff have been instructed to work from home where possible.
WHAT CAN WEATHERITE GROUP EMPLOYEES DO TO MAINTAIN A SAFE WORKPLACE?
- We remind employees frequently what the symptoms are and suggest that they take their temperature before leaving home
- We have instructed employees to wash their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or more, or use hand sanitiser, before they leave and at the beginning and end of every break
- Workers have been reminded that they should cover mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when they cough or sneeze, put used tissues in the bin as soon as possible and wash hands afterwards (if a bin is not available the tissue should be put in a pocket or bag until it can be placed in a bin). Bins are emptied frequently.
- Where the sharing of tools and equipment is unavoidable, the risk has been reduced by individuals practising good hand hygiene, wiping over tools and equipment frequently with anti-viral wipes.
- Individuals are instructed that they must use the hand sanitiser product supplied on entering reception or offices.
WHAT ABOUT COMMUNAL AREAS?
- There are ample hand washing facilities and several hand sanitising stations have been set up.
- Breaks have been staggered to minimise the amount of personnel in one area, e.g. canteen, restrooms, and smoking areas.
SOCIAL DISTANCING IN THE WORKPLACE
- Individuals have been instructed to maintain a 2 metres distance where possible. Where this is not possible, employees have been allocated to the same ‘team’ wherever possible to limit social interaction. Employees try to work side by side or facing away from each other rather than face to face.
VISITORS
- No visitors are admitted unless their visit has been pre-arranged
- Visitors to reception, shop floor deliveries etc are instructed to use the provided hand sanitiser immediately upon entry to the premises.
- Visitors are expected to follow the company's social distancing measures and good hygiene practices. They are informed of these by signage instruction, verbal instruction, employee example and/or induction. Any visitor failing to do so are asked to leave. A Perspex screen has been erected in reception.
Weatherite Group of Companies Coronavirus Risk Assessment
Issue date 12/05/20
Weatherite intends to operate as safely as possible during the coronavirus pandemic, minimising the risk to our workforce and others whilst still providing an efficient and quality service to our customers.
We have carried out a formal risk assessment to assess the risks of COVID-19 with the view to doing everything practicable to minimise these risks. Our findings and approach have been extracted from the formal risk assessment and summarised below:
WHAT IS WEATHERITE GROUP DOING TO CREATE A SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT FOR YOU?
- We will prevent the spread of the disease by adhering to current government guidelines
- We will keep management informed of any changes to government guidelines and instruct accordingly
- We will carry out only necessary work during the pandemic
- We will keep workers fully informed of any measures put in place, with appropriate signage displayed as applicable
- We have instructed employees that anyone who has symptoms or lives with someone who has symptoms should not attend work.
- We will have anyone who displays symptoms at work leave the premises
- We have increased cleaning regimes in both the offices and the Shop floor.
- Office staff have been instructed to work from home where possible.
WHAT CAN WEATHERITE GROUP EMPLOYEES DO TO MAINTAIN A SAFE WORKPLACE?
- We remind employees frequently what the symptoms are and suggest that they take their temperature before leaving home
- We have instructed employees to wash their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or more, or use hand sanitiser, before they leave and at the beginning and end of every break
- Workers have been reminded that they should cover mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when they cough or sneeze, put used tissues in the bin as soon as possible and wash hands afterwards (if a bin is not available the tissue should be put in a pocket or bag until it can be placed in a bin). Bins are emptied frequently.
- Where the sharing of tools and equipment is unavoidable, the risk has been reduced by individuals practising good hand hygiene, wiping over tools and equipment frequently with anti-viral wipes.
- Individuals are instructed that they must use the hand sanitiser product supplied on entering reception or offices.
WHAT ABOUT COMMUNAL AREAS?
- There are ample hand washing facilities and several hand sanitising stations have been set up.
- Breaks have been staggered to minimise the amount of personnel in one area, e.g. canteen, restrooms, and smoking areas.
SOCIAL DISTANCING IN THE WORKPLACE
- Individuals have been instructed to maintain a 2 metres distance where possible. Where this is not possible, employees have been allocated to the same ‘team’ wherever possible to limit social interaction. Employees try to work side by side or facing away from each other rather than face to face.
VISITORS
- No visitors are admitted unless their visit has been pre-arranged
- Visitors to reception, shop floor deliveries etc are instructed to use the provided hand sanitiser immediately upon entry to the premises.
- Visitors are expected to follow the company's social distancing measures and good hygiene practices. They are informed of these by signage instruction, verbal instruction, employee example and/or induction. Any visitor failing to do so are asked to leave. A Perspex screen has been erected in reception.