Austin Hayes - News

Systems Manager Jon Steele gains NEBOSH Diploma

2011-11-22T12:06:19+00:00

Jon has received notification that he has passed the NEBOSH Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety. This allows him to become a Graduate member of IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety and Health) and a full member of IIRSM (International Institute of Risk and Safety Management); he will attend a graduation ceremony at the University of Warwick in 2012.

The NEBOSH (National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health) exams are notoriously difficult and it is a great credit to Jon’s hard work and determination that he has passed first time.

In June 2011 Jon attended the University of Warwick, accompanied by his wife Helen, Production Director Steve Graves and Managing Director Nik Vjestica, to be presented with his NEBOSH Level 6 Diploma in Environmental Management, which he passed with Credit. He is pictured above, on the day, with Nik Vjestica (left) and Steve Graves (right).

The course was intensive and will be of great benefit to Jon and Austin Hayes as they work towards gaining ISO14001 accreditation.

Jon has worked as Systems Manager at Austin Hayes since July 2008, when he joined the management team to add value in implementing, organising and co-ordinating systems and compliancy. His areas of responsibility include Health & Safety, Environmental Management, Risk Management, HR and IT.

Jon has also studied and passed NEBOSH Level 3 Certificate in Fire Safety & Risk with Credit and he has passed IOSH Managing Environmental Responsibilities with Distinction. Jon is currently a Technician member of IOSH and an Associate member of IIRSM.

In October 2010 Jon passed the IEMA (Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment) Associate Certificate with Distinction and is now an Associate member of IEMA.

Congratulations Jon

Austin Hayes Pays Tribute to Retiring Staff-Member

2010-10-01T13:35:29+00:00

The gifts included a gold Stanley knife, in recognition of the tool he used most at work.

During his nine years with the company, Bill worked in every department, including shot-blasting, painting and final inspection, and became a much liked member of the team. This was reflected by the whole workforce gathering to wish him well as he left.

He said:
“I am incredibly grateful to Austin Hayes for giving me the opportunity to work for them. When I lost my previous job I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to find anything else as I was 56. I am especially grateful to Steve, Billy and Jay who have looked after me and made me feel part of the team at all times. I have really enjoyed working here and have made a lot of friends.”

Steve Graves, Production Director, said:
“We are sad to see Bill leave as he has always worked hard, proving himself willing and able to tackle all that was asked of him. He is highly regarded and respected by his colleagues.”

MOD Signs Partnering Agreement with Austin Hayes

2010-07-21T14:59:09+00:00

The partnering agreement builds on an existing contract and long-term relationship between Austin Hayes and the MOD and will see the company supply a range of over 50 refurbished munitions packaging components for use by munitions manufacturers supplying British troops on operations around the world and in training.

It is anticipated that up to half a million items will be recovered from the UK and abroad each year and refurbished to “as new” condition. This will enable the MOD to perpetuate the current saving, estimated at £20 million per year, funds that would otherwise have to be spent on procurement of new items. Nik Vjestica, Managing Director of the Yeadon, West Yorkshire based company, said:

“This is great news! This contract will provide a stable platform from which we can work with the MOD to develop ever-more cost effective solutions for the taxpayer. We are here today at the Royal Armouries to celebrate the contract award. From tomorrow onwards my team is focused on the challenges ahead. We will continue to work closely with the Defence General Munitions Project Team to provide an increasingly effective and efficient service. With them we will share the responsibility in developing future strategies which will benefit the tax payer by providing better value for money, benefit our environment by developing greener technologies and ultimately providing our serving troops with a better and improved product.”

Together with staff from the DGM PT, and the Defence Storage and Distribution Agency depot at Longtown , where the recovered munitions packaging is processed, Austin Hayes was recently praised by the MOD’s Chief of Defence Material for its contribution to the MOD’s Sustainable Procurement Strategy and was awarded a Commendation at a prestigious ceremony in London.

CDM Award for Outstanding Teamwork

2010-05-07T09:34:56+00:00

The award to the Munitions Packaging Refurbishment Alliance was for the following achievement:-

“This award recognises your outstanding teamwork, drive and innovation to deliver superb timely support for operations whilst making a direct contribution to Sustainable Development. Through embodiment of the principles of Partnering between the Defence General Munitions Project Team, Defence Storage and Distribution Agency (Longtown) and Austin Hayes Limited, based on collaborative behaviour, trust and open communications, and facing huge demands, the team has recovered and processed two million items per year and refurbished 400,000 ammunition containers, saving £20M per year to the Taxpayer”