MONTH IN REVIEW
The horticultural industry is still male-
dominated but there are more women coming
into theindustry in different sectors, such as
business, science, technology and engineering.’’
Sandra Grayson, payroll and tax administrator, Johnsons of
Whixley
EQUALITY EXPANSION
JOHNSONS
OF WHIXLEY
CELEBRATES WOMEN
IN HORTICULTURE WOODLODGE UPGRADES
WAREHOUSE FACILITIES
Plant nursery Johnson
of Whixley is celebrating
International Women’s Day
(8 March), which sees female
members of staff offering their
own insights into the changing
roles of women in horticulture.
According to the group the
day aims to unite and motivate
friends, colleagues and whole
communities to think, act and be
gender inclusive.
Vicky Newell, who is
responsible for key customer
accounts in the North East,
North West and Scotland, said: “I
have seen more women working
within the office environment
since I started working at
Johnsons of Whixley 11 years
ago.
“But I think the industry is
missing a trick by not having
more women directors or
managers.
We have different opinions, but
surely a variety of ideas is how we
will compete in the challenging
times the industry is seeing at the
moment?”
Sandra Grayson, payroll and
tax administrator, added: “The
horticultural industry is still
male-dominated but there are
more women coming into the
industry in different sectors, such
as business, science, technology
and engineering.”
10
Landscape Insight | April 2018
Pot and gardenware supplier
Woodlodge has heavily invested in its
warehouse and operations facilities to
increase its offering to retail customers.
The improvements include new
racking, painted protective flooring and
upgraded lighting. The company has
also increased the number of product
bays, improving stock capacity for the
constant flow of incoming stock.
Additionally, the new layout has
made product identification and
logistics easier. Faster selling items
have been grouped together for
a smoother despatch, whilst the
additional space has helped to improve
the efficiencies of the warehouse
picking team.
Michael Wooldridge, Woodlodge
managing director, said: “With an
increase in sales turnover of 40%
over the past four years, the upgrades
were needed to keep up with customer
demand, whilst also ensuring complete
efficiency during peak season.
“The new upgrades – though simple
in their implementation - mean we can
increase the product range we keep on
the shelf, as well as creating a safer and
more welcoming work environment for
our staff.”
FIRE
FIRE BREAKS OUT
AT GARDMAN
WAREHOUSE
A fire broke out at a warehouse
owned by garden centre supplier
Gardman on 11 March 2018.
Northamptonshire Fire and
Rescue Service were called to
the building on Parsons Road at
23:41pm. In a Twitter post Dar-
ren Dovey, chief fire officer, said:
“Please avoid the area around
Parsons Road, Daventry due to
this fire. Also please keep win-
dows and doors shut if you live
close by.”
The East Midlands Ambulance
Service said that no-one has been
taken to hospital.
50
That’s the number
of firefighters
which were sent
to tackle a blaze
that broke out
at a Gardman
warehouse