A new window manufacturing plant in Fenton heralds good news for the Stoke workforce. When Lister Trade Frames updated its trade supply counter last year, no-one could have predicted the far-reaching effects that would follow. Now, just a few months later, it has completed the purchase of a new 90,000ft2 factory that quadruples the manufacturing space. Mark Warren, Listers' Managing Director, views the progress with a knowing smile.
'The Trade Counter has become something of a landmark on the Leek Road, so that's certainly helped our visibility.' he comments, 'But there's been a whole lot more going on in new processes, quality improvements and greater involvement by our staff.  Sales were already building before the trade counter – we've more than doubled since 2000.'

Mark is clear about the basis of the growth. 'It's people, pure and simple.  Either we've been very lucky, or there's something special about the Stoke on Trent workforce.  The city has had a hard time for many years, and the decline of our pottery industry is a tragedy, but it means that the work ethos of centuries has become available to other industries.'

The new site in Fenton adds 90,000 square feet of manufacturing space to Listers' capacity, creating opportunities for 86 new jobs.  It represents an investment in the Fenton area of over £2.5 million.

'We're investing in people and quality,' says Mark, 'I'm sorry if that sounds like HR-speak, but it's an approach that has brought us to sales of £7.5 million a year, and that means we can set a target to double that figure.

'British Standards, awards and licenses are important, and we've put considerable resource into obtaining every relevant certification.  What frustrates me occasionally is that they're regarded by some companies as little more than a badge.  By driving quality right through the company, and giving our staff the responsibility and encouragement to commit to the standards we've ensured 100% compliance in every product we turn out, not just those that are to be evaluated by the standards authorities.  That takes dedication and determination, and it's frustrating that not all of our competitors see the standards the same way.

'But we've stuck to our guns, and the new factory and the new jobs are proof that we were right to do so.'

Source

Glass Age