Environmental Product Declaration for Blowing Wool, Mineral Wool and Wood Wool products.
Find your EPDOur plants have faced unprecedented challenges this year — but there is no doubt that these challenges have brought out the best in everyone. Our Plant Managers reflect on a year defined by crisis.
COVID-19 led to the creation of working environments that were safer than ever thanks to the teamwork that inspired our 'As Safe As Home' initiative.
And in the first eight months of this year many plants reported record numbers of days without Lost Time Accidents — a tribute to our extra attention to health and our pre-pandemic culture of always putting safety first.
Inevitably, COVID-19 caused production, distribution and sales challenges for many of our teams. But agile decision-making, outstanding teamwork and constant communication ensured that effective solutions could always be found.
Perhaps the most significant learning of the crisis is best summed up by Jan Brázda, our Krupka plant manager: “Bad times and pain make teams stronger and prove character. This is a great opportunity to learn how good your people are. What a gift, going through difficult times.”
And it is true. The pandemic may have impacted all our plants differently, but there has always been one constant — whatever the circumstances we have consistently demonstrated how much we care for our colleagues and our communities.
Of course, we continue to work through difficult times, but we recognise that everything — even successfully managing a crisis — can be continuously improved.
Here we speak to our plant managers about the lessons they have learned from the past eight months, their plans for the future and how sustainability, continuous improvement and teamwork continues to inform everything they do.
This is what they said:
‘How to overcome crisis challenges? Be accessible to the team, be visible and empathise with personal circumstances. Communicate continually, share information and recognise that people will follow your journey at different speeds.’
‘Complex actions were implemented effectively and quickly and this is a tribute to our team and their rapid understanding of a fast-changing situation.’
‘In six years we decreased the number of LTAs by 10 even as we increased production by nearly 100%. I want to continue to develop Visé as a site with the highest possible safety standards.’
‘Providing a safe environment at the early stages of the pandemic and communicating constantly were vital to ensuring team motivation.’
‘My proudest achievement? I am proud of my people. We might not always share the same view but we have the commitment and partnership to define and implement the best solutions for the plant.’
‘Lessons from the crisis? Communication is always important but in times of almost constant change it’s vital.’
‘The biggest reward to me? I like to see the development of people, how they build their careers and lives.’
‘The flexibility we have learned will be important as we continue to face ever-changing challenges. We cannot afford to drop our guard.’
‘The most important learning? Communication, dialogue, listening and building trust are key to overcoming any challenge.’
'We have learned a lot from the pandemic. People have started to value health and safety more than ever and this will remain a priority long after this crisis is over.'
'The team has shown incredible commitment and worked hard to ensure the plant has been kept safe and operational throughout the pandemic.'
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