Granby

In November 2024, Granby has been bustling with activity and innovation. Victoria Pittman represented Granby at the UKWA House of Lords Luncheon, where she and other industry leaders discussed the future of warehousing. The focus was on key trends and sustainable practices that are shaping the industry. Owen Harris has been traveling extensively across the UK over the past month or so, delivering on our commitment to industry engagement. His participation in #LondonPackagingWeek and the #eCommerceExpo and many other events provided valuable insights into the latest industry trends. We always try to learn something too and this month we had an opportunity to get a deeper understanding of the #Kaizen philosophy, which focuses on continuous improvement. We are also very happy to welcome Katy Adams, our new Accounts Apprentice, whose inspiring journey to accounting brings a fresh perspective to our team. Our community spirit was on full display during our Halloween festivities, which fostered creativity and camaraderie at Granby HQ. And as you can see form the image, our support for the #TickledPink campaign highlighted one very important cause, in particular, Breast Cancer Now https://lnkd.in/giB49wy As we continue to innovate, engage and celebrate together, we invite you to dive deeper into these stories with us by taking a look at our latest news update. https://lnkd.in/emd2d5tb We hope everyone enjoyed the fireworks as we look forward to another exciting month ahead!

Our recent Leadership Away Day was a remarkable journey of strategy, collaboration, and innovation. Held at the end of October, the day began with a strategic planning session for 2025, where our leadership team, including Caroline Noblett, Andrew Gregson, Dave Saunders, Paul Dunleavy, and Victoria Pittman, focused on aligning our goals and assessing progress. The discussions were rich with insights, fostering a spirit of open communication and trust. Of course one of the highlights of the day was the team-building exercise at the The Crystal Maze LIVE Experience in Manchester. Led by Caroline as team captain and Andrew as co-captain, the team navigated through the 4 famously challenging zones, Industrial, Futuristic, Medieval, and Aztec, enhancing their problem-solving and communication skills. This experience underscored the importance of teamwork and strategic thinking, mirroring the real-world challenges we face in delivering innovative 3PL solutions. Victoria noted, "It's humbling and a real privilege to work alongside such dedicated colleagues. Our collective vision and aligned objectives make every challenge an opportunity." As we return to Blackburn, we carry forward the learnings and strengthened bonds, ready to drive growth and innovation. Caroline Noblett reflected on the experience, stating, "Seeing us engage in meaningful conversations, where ideas were freely shared and feedback was constructive, was truly gratifying. This open communication is essential for trust and is a cornerstone of our employee-owned philosophy." Here's to a future filled with collaboration and success! #Leadership #TeamBuilding #Innovation #CrystalMaze

At Granby, we prioritise investing in our people and building an environment where everyone can flourish. As an Employee-Owned Trust, our dedication to personal and professional growth is key. And as members of the Alliance of Independent Agencies (AIA), we access exceptional courses for skill enhancement. Recently, our Client Services Manager, Kayleigh Scott, participated in a transformative course on ‘Taming Your Inner Critic,’ a challenge we all encounter at some point. Kayleigh found the course, led by the seasoned coach Sharon Baker PCC, truly enlightening. Kayleigh shared that the session explored the fears associated with stepping into the unknown and how our inner critic often holds us back, keeping us in our comfort zones. Kayleigh said, “We delved into our intrinsic drives—expansion, fulfillment, enhancement, and self-preservation—and the role of our inner critic in self-preservation.” Key takeaways included understanding the triggers of discomfort in work situations and learning to become comfortable with that discomfort. Kayleigh found the examination of how our own long held beliefs have shaped our inner critic particularly enlightening. By reframing our mindset, we can all learn to view the inner critic not as an adversary but as a potential ally, with the session emphasising that our inner critic can either hinder us or serve as a valuable ally, depending on our perspective. Observing and understanding this inner voice can help clarify and align our true ambitions and desires. Kayleigh’s key takeout? “It was reassuring to understand that no matter what anyone might say, at some time these feelings of inadequacy and fear of judgment are universal.” At Granby, we are committed to empowering our team members like Kayleigh to harness their full potential. By investing in courses like this with the AIA, we ensure our people are equipped to face challenges head-on and deliver their best.  #Empowerment #TamingYourInnerCritic #AIA #GrowthMindset

Happy Diwali from Granby! As the Festival of Lights brightens homes and hearts, we extend our warmest wishes to all our Granby colleagues, clients, partners, and friends celebrating in Blackburn, the UK, and across the globe. May this Diwali bring joy, prosperity, and new beginnings to you and your loved ones. Let's celebrate the triumph of light over darkness together. Wishing you all a sparkling Diwali filled with happiness and success! #Diwali #FestivalOfLights #GranbyFamily #Celebration #Community

Granby witch you a spook-tacular day! Halloween 🦇 Today, we're embracing the spooky spirit with a pumpkin carving contest! While the results won't be out until tonight, we promise to share a picture of the winning pumpkin with you all. Our team may not typically dress up due to our warehouse environment, but that hasn't stopped Chloe Goss, Katy Adams, Rebecca Jade Hanslip, and Humayra from making a fantastic effort in our designated safe areas. Check out their creative outfits in the photo! Celebrating events like Halloween adds a little (pumpkin) spice to our work calendar, bringing joy and camaraderie to the team. These moments of fun and festivity help us bond, boost morale, and create a vibrant workplace culture. Here's to a day filled with creativity, laughter, and a more than a touch of Halloween magic! Right, team. Let's have a fang-tastic time carving out some productivity today! 🎃 #GranbyHalloween #TeamSpirit #PumpkinCarvingContest #WorkplaceFun

At Granby, we believe that a healthy workforce is the cornerstone of a thriving organisation. Our commitment to the wellbeing of our team is unwavering, with a special focus on both physical health and mental wellbeing. To support this, we've partnered with Health Assured, the largest independent and award-winning Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) provider in the UK and Ireland. Every Granby team member has personal access to the Health Assured’s Wisdom Health App, a tool designed to empower individuals to take charge of their health journey. This collaboration is part of our mission to create Granby's healthy workforce of tomorrow, ensuring that specialist health and wellbeing services are available to our people when they need them most. Our dedication to wellbeing is reflected in our continuous monitoring of wellbeing indicators, investment in training programmes, and adoption of best practice frameworks. We understand the importance of encouraging our workforce to engage in healthy activities, recognising the positive impact on both physical and mental health. In fact, independent research among our teams revealed that an impressive 87% of employees believe Granby genuinely cares about their health and safety. We're also proud to partner with Lancashire Mind, a mental health charity committed to improving mental health and wellbeing across Lancashire. In August, we were delighted to join the Wellbeing Lancashire Business Network, further aligning with our strategic platform of putting people before profit. At Granby, we don't just talk the talk; we walk the walk. Our commitment to wellbeing is not just a policy—it's a practice that we live by every day.  #WellbeingAtWork #MentalHealthMatters #GranbyCares

As autumn set in, Owen Harris from Granby’s Business Development team embarked on a whirlwind tour of the UK’s top trade shows and industry events. Covering over 2,700 miles, September and October 2024 were packed with opportunities to connect, learn, and innovate. Owen reflects, "You never know which conversation will spark the next big idea or opportunity. It's these unexpected insights that make attending these events so valuable for Granby.” Starting with the #AutumnFair at the #NEC, Owen explored innovations in home, gift, and fashion, discussing potential collaborations in logistics and fulfillment. At London #PackagingWeek, sustainability and luxury branding took centre stage, sparking ideas on inclusive packaging. The #eCommerce Expo offered insights into AI integration and delivery optimisation, while the UK Packaging Awards celebrated Granby’s excellence, being shortlisted for Co-Manufacturing and Packer of the Year. On September 24th, Owen participated in the #ProcurementandSupplyChain Live event, jpoining more than 3,800 experts. Sessions with leaders from Nestlé and Nike provided insights into procurement optimisation and sustainability, enhancing Granby’s strategic approach. Back at the NEC for the #PPMA Show, Owen explored the latest in processing and packaging machinery, networking with potential suppliers and technical experts. Owen’s journey continued with the #ResponsiblePackagingExpo, focusing on eco-friendly solutions, and concluded at the #GardenCentreExpo, exploring support for brands in storage and distribution. These events have been invaluable, identifying ideas and opportunities for Granby to support other businesses. As Owen says, "You never know which conversation will spark the next big idea." Now, it’s on to November! #TradeShows #Innovation #Sustainability

We are very happy to share that Granby proudly supported the Asda #TickledPink campaign last Friday. This is a remarkable fundraising and awareness initiative run as a partnership between #Asda, #BreastCancerNow, and #CoppaFeel. This incredible charitable initiative is now in its 28th year and has raised over £90 million since 1996, with a goal to exceed £100 million by 2026 for breast cancer charities. Our dedicated #Granby team members donned their brightest pink attire for the day, not only contributing funds to this vital cause but also raising awareness throughout our community. It was a day filled with passion, purpose, and a whole lot of pink! Check out these vibrant pictures—no rose-coloured glasses needed, we promise! The energy and enthusiasm was truly contagious, and we are so proud to be part of such a meaningful campaign. Together, let's continue to support the fight against breast cancer and make a difference, one pink day at a time! 

While CAPS LOCK Day (today) might seem like a lighthearted nod to a small keyboard key, it underscores a vital message about communication etiquette. In the digital realm, using all caps is often perceived as SHOUTING, which can impede effective interaction. At Granby, we recognise the importance of clear and respectful communication and are dedicated to ensuring accessibility for everyone. Our commitment to accessibility is evident in our compliance with the #WCAG2.2 standards for web chat, email, and phone communications. This ensures that all interactions are accessible to individuals with disabilities, fostering #inclusivity and effective communication. We design our emails to be accessible, using clear language and alternative text for images, ensuring compatibility with screen readers. Our emails have a logical structure with headings and lists for easy navigation, and our templates are fully navigable using a keyboard. We also maintain sufficient colour contrast for #readability. Our systems support speech-to-text and text-to-speech technologies for users with hearing or speech impairments. We provide TTY/TDD support for text communication devices for the deaf and ensure high-quality audio. Our #IVR systems are user-friendly and accessible. Our platform, #Chatify, is compatible with screen readers and navigable using a keyboard. Users can adjust text sizes and switch to high contrast modes, and our web chat provides immediate support. Granby’s @Victoria Pittman says “At Granby, we prioritise Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in all operations. Our #DEI initiatives ensure an inclusive environment where all employees can thrive, supported by accessible technology, inclusive hiring practices, ongoing training, and a supportive workplace.” Let's all think about CAPS LOCK Day by embracing effective and inclusive communication! #CAPSLOCKDAY #AccessibilityMatters #InclusiveCommunication #TTY #TDD

We're delighted to introduce Katy Adams who has joined Granby as our new Accounts Apprentice. Katy's journey to Granby is both inspiring and unconventional, showcasing her adaptability and determination. Growing up in Morecambe, Katy didn't attend high school due to her traveller background. Instead, she began her educational path at Lancaster and Morecambe College, initially pursuing hairdressing. Her tutors quickly recognised her potential and encouraged her to explore more academic pursuits, leading her to the world of accounting. Katy's transition from hairdressing to accounting is a testament to her willingness to step out of her comfort zone. With strong support from her family, she embraced this new challenge and is now eager to apply her growing knowledge of accounting principles at Granby. Her responsibilities include managing the finance inbox, posting invoices, and raising purchase orders, all while learning the intricacies of financial management. And in January it’s back part-time to Blackburn College to study for her AAT Level 3! New to an office environment, Katy has found a warm welcome at #Granby, appreciating the supportive atmosphere that fosters both personal and professional growth. In September 2023, Granby signed up for the Lancashire Skills Pledge, an initiative aimed at addressing the skills gap in the region and specifically around apprenticeships. In the last 18 months we have welcomed two other apprentices, Declan Talbot (now a permanent member of the Client Services team) and Jack Hurst. By investing in talented individuals like Katy, Granby continues to foster a culture of continuous learning and growth. Welcome to the team, Katy! We look forward to supporting your journey and watching you thrive as a valuable member of our Granby family. #Apprentice #LancashireSkillsPledge #Learning #AAT #BlackburnCollege