AINSWORTH Finishing Company has good reason to celebrate its re-recognition as an Investors in People (IIP) employer.

The national staff development programme has led to better productivity - resulting in a sales boost of £68,000 per year.

Through Investors in People, the company has developed a multi-skilled, motivated and flexible team of people who have brought huge leaps in performance.

Thirty per cent of the workforce has been trained to cover every manufacturing process in the factory, so the company can respond to customer demand much more effectively. Says general manager David Griffiths: "We are now much better at involving and informing our staff.

"We recently faced a redundancy situation and reduced hours working, but by keeping everybody fully aware of the issues we weathered the storm and moved smoothly back into full operation when business picked up again.

"We are giving everybody the opportunity to fulfil their potential. Many of our team have passed or are working towards National Vocational Qualifications."

Added Karen Hall, part of the Bolton and Bury Chamber team which helped Ainsworth through the IIP programme: "They must be congratulated for their commitment to making Investors work - where it matters - on the shop floor."

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