22 October 2004
Gist wins award for putting ‘100% safety’ at the top of the business agenda
At an award ceremony held on Thursday 21 October 2004, leading supply chain specialist Gist won the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport’s (UK) Annual Award for Excellence in Environmental Improvement and Safety for its innovative work in employee safety.
The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport’s Annual Awards for Excellence are designed to recognise achievement and to encourage the highest standards and a professional approach to the practice of logistics and transport.
At Gist, safety is not seen as an issue that can be managed and improved in isolation. It requires the understanding, belief and co-operation of every employee. So, the emphasis has been on making sure that every one of its employees recognises that safety matters, from the everyday dangers in the office to the more complex demands of handling and transport systems that make up the supply chain business.
In essence, at Gist, safety is not seen as an initiative - it’s the way it conducts business.
Safety affects people – so Gist works with its employees to ensure they understand that safety affects them 100% of the time, at home and at work, and is something in which they have an important role to play.
This has been through a series of actions, programmes and communication which include:
v An all-embracing communication programme to engender employee buy-in
v Consistent demonstration of visible leadership from senior managers
v A comprehensive behavioural safety programme
v Business-wide and site-specific incentive schemes
v Regular reviews, refreshment and reiteration of safety procedures, policies and processes.
Amanda Squires, Safety, Health, Environment and Quality director, says: “It is very exciting that Gist employees have been recognised for giving safety the priority it deserves. We really do believe that safety is integral to our business, as it is for every business, and we were determined not to let that be forgotten.”
Managing director, Martin Gwynn said: “This award was won by everyone at Gist for the great effort that has been put into the way we think about safety. Now, all our hard work has been recognised as best practice in safety for the industry, an excellent achievement that we are really proud of.”
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Note to editors:
Gist combines leading edge experience and expertise to offer a range of supply chain solutions from design, set up, implementation and operational management through to supply chain consulting services.
Gist, based in the United Kingdom, has its head office at Basingstoke in Hampshire. However, Gist’s 4,500 employees operate out of 28 locations, providing a full range of intellectual and asset-based business offering in the UK, continental Europe, Asia, Australasia and North America.
Gist’s customers (including Ocado, Marks & Spencer, British Airways, Carlsberg UK and Budgens) operate in a wide range of commercial and industrial sectors, including grocery, electronics, apparel and gas.
Dynamic supply chain management is critical to the success of businesses across the globe. Gist has the ability to transform supply chains through intelligent application of innovative leading edge technology, unique solutions tailored to customers’ strategies, managing change and embracing and enhancing the supply chain proposition. With industry specific experience, expertise and excellence, Gist’s solutions bring end-to-end visibility and implementation, from concept to delivery.
As part of The BOC Group, which serves two million customers in more than 50 countries, Gist also benefits from BOC’s global capability, synergy and scale.
To find out more about Gist, for photography or to arrange an interview with Gist, contact:
Gist Communications
Michele Mervin
01256 891135
michele.mervin@gistworld.com
www.gistworld.com
