Our Culture
Throughout its 90-year history, A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd has always placed a great deal of emphasis upn respect for staff, customers and local communities.
Such values have been in-grained in the company's culture and are key to the Blakemore success story.
Our business is centred upon the principle of Quality First and our overall objective is:
"To serve our customers by the efficient supply of food associated products and service."
To achieve this we adhere to the following principles:
- We promote growth and development
- We exceed our customers' expectations
- We are determined to succeed
- We behave with integrity and honesty
- We ensure the best possible job security conditions and rewards
Other examples of the Blakemore culture in action can be seen below:
- The Blakemore Foundation
The Blakemore Foundation is a community fund that represents at least one percent of the company's overall profits.
The company welcomes requests from members of staff and customers, who are invited to apply for funding for their own favourite charities or community groups.
In addition to this, the company match-funds any staff fundraising initiative up to the value of £250.
- Business in the Community
A.F. Blakemore is a member of the largest and longest established corporate responsibility organisation, Business in the Community.
A.F.Blakemore host's the organisation's area office at Wolverhampton Science Park.
In addition to this the company is also a Gold member of BITC's employee volunteering programme, Cares.
- Employee Benefits
A.F.Blakemore & Son Ltd has introduced a number of employee benefit schemes. These have been introduced both to reward and provide further incentives to our loyal workforce.
Since 2003, the company has donated more than £250,000 to our most loyal and dedicated members of staff as part of our long-service award scheme.
In addition to this, staff who reach the 25-year milestone take advantage of a four-week sabbatical.
A.F. Blakemore also thanks long-serving staff upon retirement by funding a special gift. This can range from £10 for someone who has had one-year's service to £600 for someone who has given 30-years service.
The company recognises staff that have excellent attendance records and has awarded around £100,000 worth of prizes to staff who have won quarterly attendance draw, which was set-up in 2003.
- Training & Development
A.F. Blakemore has set a budget, of around £500,000, devoted to the training and development of staff.
The company delivers a range of development solutions to meet the ever changing needs of the corporate strategic plan with all staff given access to training.
Emphasis is placed upon the development of a multi-skilled workforce and an increasing level of importance is being placed upon customer service.
- Health & Safety
The safety and well being of staff and customers is of prime importance to A.F. Blakemore. The company's philosophy is to be pro-active in the area of health & safety and act before accidents occur.
Every member of staff is trained on matters of health & safety as part of their induction and receive ongoing on the job training.
The company has also drawn up a comprehensive H&S policy and system of risk assessments. Risk management groups meet quarterly and consist of senior executives from each division of the business.
This provides a forum for reviewing levels of risk and the controls that are required to deal with them. Food safety and environmental issues also play an integral part of these meetings.