AND FINALLY Okarno scores with visit from Teddy Sheringham


Former English football manager and player, Teddy Sheringham visited Okarno to help spread the word about it’s rebrand - which was formly known as Artex. With a strapline “There are no others like us”, the Okarno brand creates a common sense of purpose, energy, and enthusiasm, whilst capturing the company’s approach to supply chain logistics. Jason Smith, managing director at Okarno, said: “We felt that


Leyland SDM donates to London’s poorest children


it was important to share our rebrand with all our staff, and thanks to Teddy for helping out. Okarno better reflects what we do as a company, although we like to remind customers that they are still being supported by the same great products and outstanding people.” Okarno provides a unique service by combining market- leading trade brands and delivering them directly through


three service


offerings. Customers can choose from single pallets, mixed pallet loads, through to small parcels.


Civils & Lintels supports mental health charity


Civils & Lintels, part of the Huws Gray group of companies, raised over £21,000 for the charity Mates in Mind in 2023 and is now rolling out refreshed signage on its fleet of 95 LGVs providing details of its free text helpline service.


Decorators merchant Leyland SDM has donated £3,500 to The Childhood Trust, which has been added to the £6,600 colleagues raised by walking 15 miles across London towards the end of last year, taking the overall total beyond £10,000. Martin Hastings, CEO at Leyland SDM, said: “Our colleagues managed to raise a fantastic amount by trekking across London on a cold winter’s day and, as a company, we’re very pleased to contribute as well to boost the total so more children can recieve help.”


Leyland SDM colleagues walked for seven hours from Mile End to Kingston upon Thames, passing through Westminster, Chelsea and Fulham before crossing Putney Bridge and progressing through Richmond Park, finishing at Leyland SDM’s most southern store in Kingston.


The Childhood Trust is committed to breaking the poverty cycle and has engaged withover 250,000 disadvantaged children.


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The idea was the brainchild of Westbury-based driver Mark Byers, who unveiled the first truck to sport the new design. He said: “Having suffered with my own mental health, I’m really proud that this has happened. As a lorry driver, you spend lots of time on your own and if you’re not feeling 100% it’s good to know that you can reach out to a great charity like


Mates in Mind. Of course, those on building sites often also suffer in silence. Now, when they see this on my truck, they might be encouraged to give them a call.” The Civils & Lintels team carried out a series of fundraising events throughout 2023 that included


Forterra rewards employees


Forterra saw two of its employees receive prestigious awards during an event hosted by the International Clay Technology Association (ICT/ICTa) Education and Training Trust which provides training for the clayware sector. The event, which was held at Forterra’s new Desford factory, saw production manager Ed Storer receive the Keith FR Morton Award, and university student and process and reliability engineer Nia Lewis receive the prestigious Clay Drying and Firing Student Award.


Storer said: “I deeply appreciate receiving the Keith FR Morton award in clay technology. This recognition holds immense


significance, highlighting the positive impact of dedicated mentors from my time within the industry who have generously shared their knowledge and skills. “I am proud to be able to collaborate with others who are equally as dedicated to the industry and to carry on Keith’s Legacy - to create a brighter future for the industry.” Lewis commented: “I’d like to thank Forterra for all its support and for the opportunity to attend this course and develop my skill set. The course has meant I am able to understand how the operation and any deviation from the process effects brick quality. I hope to continue working in


dedicated colleagues shaving their hair and beards off; one colleague travelling to all 18 Dutch Eredivisie stadiums in just 24 hours; sky-dives, teams climbing the equivalent of Mount Everest and many more Managing director of Civils & Lintels, Allan Wright recently joined the board of trustees at Mates in Mind, he comments: “It’s vital that we focus our fundraising efforts on a cause that resonates with our own team. Mates in Mind has built a reputation for addressing issues around poor mental health in the construction industry and given the focus of our own work, the synergy is clear.”


operational management going forward. It feels really good when hard work pays off.”


With four years at Forterra, starting in the company on the operations management graduate program, Lewis has continued to progress her own development and completed her Clay Drying and Firing course, with the highest pass mark in her class.


www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net February 2024


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