MERCHANT FOCUS: LAWSONS
When you get the right people in the right place trained up properly, it really pays off for the business.
“ ”
understand that a healthy workforce equals a healthy company.”
A happy, fulfilled workforce also helps Sexton adds, Lawsons operates a profit share scheme based on the end-of-year figures for every member of staff. “The challenge is to make sure everyone buys into the idea of working together efficiently, safely and as a team to improve on profitability and to give them the opportunity to enhance their personal earnings.” There are reminders throughout the business that every little thing helps to boost profits and therefore the pool that gets shared out. Light switches, for example have stickers that say, ‘Switch off, you’re burning your profit share’, and as John Lawson always says “it’s about making a tenner and saving a tenner.”
Lawsons’ commitment to family values extends beyond the immediate Lawsons’ company-family too. They have a huge social and community conscience, “We are committed to several charities” Sexton says. We’ve supported DIY SOS and over the last five years we have raised and donated over £250,000 to Spread a Smile who entertain children fighting cancer. Every branch has its own budget for local schools and community projects charities, tree houses, allotments, school kitchens and playground developments for example. We have a Children’s Christmas Party every year and John Lawson dresses up as Father Christmas. He wouldn’t miss that for the
world. Then there’s our annual Family Fun Day. This year it was attended by over 800 staff and their families who enjoyed fun fairs, a circus, live entertainment and a barbecue. By giving something back, we can continue to build the business and give even more back to staff and the communities we operate in.” Investment in the business is not confined to people and buildings either. The company now offers a UK first. An eco-friendly delivery solution, which is the first natural gas and electric crane powered lorry.
The custom built 26 tonne truck is powered by compressed natural gas and has the same road performance as a traditional diesel 26 tonner. Fitted with a Hiab X-HiPro electric crane, it is up to 50% quieter than diesel equivalents with ultra-low emissions. Fleet manager David Harvey and the group transport team worked with Iveco Trucks and Hiab to combine the two in an industry first. Harvey says: “The vehicle emits 70% less NOx and 99% less particulate matter and up to 95% less CO2 when using bio methane and the fact that it’s so much quieter than traditional lorries makes it ideal for London.”
Even better, the Hiab crane doesn’t run off the vehicle’s engine either, rather a bank of batteries mounted under the flatbed, meaning the engine can be switched off during unloading, reducing truck emissions to zero at the point of delivery.
August 2018
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
London emissions policies are getting more and more stringent, with other cities hot on the Capital’s heels, so it makes sense for companies like Lawsons to find ways of investing in their vehicles to allow them to improve the quality of service whilst helping to reduce emissions. The company will continue to develop and grow, Sexton says. In the next three years, Lawsons plans to reinvest a further £22m into the business for branch new builds and refurbishments.
“Ten years ago we were predominately a North London merchants,” he says. With investment we have now established ourselves South of the Thames. We still have certain areas we are targeting to further support our branch network along the M23 corridor. “ It’s all about future investment, agrees Norris. “It’s about continuous improvement and reinvesting for continual growth. Everything we do is about creating sustainable business for the long-term future. We all have an obligation to today’s youth so they can become tomorrow’s leaders with secure jobs, a safe working environment, investment in training and the continual growth in Lawsons, we will create more opportunities for more people. Some might argue that we over invest, but our returns speak for themselves.
Sexton closes by stating Lawsons employ attitudes and teach skills, the more you help people the more you help yourself. BMJ
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