2025_Q1_Newsletter by blackwood_engineering

Directors' Message

It has certainly been an eventful start to the year with the commencement of President Trump's global trade war. While this will probably affect all of us over time personally in some shape or form, it will inevitably have an impact on all businesses but particularly those such as Blackwood Engineering who operate globally.

In terms of a direct impact on the business, although sales from China directly into the US make up a relatively small part of the business, we have already been hit with the high tariffs, and it remains to be seen what the impact will be on this part of our business. The bigger concern is the impact of the tariffs and the uncertainty that this is causing generally on the global economy and in particular on the construction equipment market At the moment although our order book is down on previous years, we have not seen a major collapse and we remain optimistic

Regardless of the uncertainty in the world around us, as a business we must and will stay focused on those things that will improve and build the business and generally make us stronger for the long term.

In terms of our factories, we are extremely excited to be approaching the end of the development work at the Blaina factory, with the new building now almost completed, and with the entire scheme due for completion by June. Along with improved facilities and increased capacity, this gives us a platform to build a factory for the future that we can all be proud of. Although slightly delayed due to a few challenges, we are also continuing with the replacement of the Aberbeeg warehouse roof with completion due by September It is also exciting to see the new paint facility in Dilsen up and running and we have included some pictures in the newsletter.

Directors' Message

We updated previously about the importance of underpinning how we work with strong systems and processes, and hence the need to upgrade our Winman ERP system. Although the schedule has slipped a little on this, the teams across the business continue to work hard to deliver a successful implementation on 1st July.

In the last few months we have been working with Toyota to identify opportunities for introducing some of Toyota's world class production philosophy into the business. This has been an exciting and insightful project for everyone involved and we have been focusing in particular on the concept of Kaizen which emphasises incremental, ongoing improvements involving everyone in the business, and we look forward to sharing further on this and getting more of you involved over the coming months

As we complete our first quarter, we'd like to take this opportunity to thank the entire Blackwood team for all your hard work and commitment to the business. We also wish you and your families a Happy Easter, and we hope that you all enjoy the long weekend.

S Kerr on behalf of the Directors

Blackwood News

Sustainability

Here’s a photo of our logistics supplier, FSEW, delivering our parts in their 100% electric Volvo truck.

We’re proud to partner with FSEW who are leading the way in decarbonising logistics and have eliminated the use of diesel trucks from their fleet. Their fleet now consists of 100% electric, hydrogen and biomethane trucks.

FSEW are also looking at sustainable fuel options for sea freight and wil

Custom Colours

A massive shoutout to the production staff in Dilsen who have done great job lately with both JLG France and Liebherr Custom Colour Parts!

As you can see, on the left, we have the counterweight for Liebherr’s A918 excavator painted in ‘Graphite Black’ in Dilsen. On the right is what the part will look like on the back of the machine

Similarly, with JLG France, we have the counterweights for their 12E+ Toucan machine painted in multiple colours.

Blaina Project

The work at Blaina is progressing well with the new developments to the building and welfare area

Below are some photos showing the work that has been done.

Blaina Project Car Park

The car parking arrangements at Blaina will change from Tuesday 15 April. th

The main gate and small car park shown in the red box will be closed. The large car park and middle gate will be reopened for staff + visitor parking.

It’s important to note that the large car park will not be completely finished – there is a top course of tarmac and white lining to do at a later date.

For the time being there will be no white lining in this car park to identify spaces, the only spaces that will have a temporary marking will be the disabled bays, so please park as considerably as possible.

There should be enough space to park all cars on site now, but the overflow car park down at Abingdon is still available if required.

Paint Booth Dilsen

The new paint booth in Dilsen is now fully operational.

Weddings

Congratulations to Josh Dray as he married Megan in Feb!

Baby News

Congratulations to the following people who all celebrated the birth of their children:

Daniel Evans who had a baby boy, Ioan, in January.

Curtis Pitt who welcomed a baby boy called Stanley in March,

Upcoming Events

Flight Club Cardiff (UK)

A Team building event will take place at Flight Club in Cardiff. The event will be on the 17 May at 3pm - 6pm th

What’s included:

Game: Darts Tournament

Food: Canapes and Pizza plus Desert

Drink: Arrival Drink

Upcoming Events

BBQ at Terland (Dilsen)

A Team building BBQ will take place at Terland. The event will be on Friday 13 June. th

Mental Health Awareness

Tips For Taking Care Of Your Mental Health

Connect with other people

Take care of your physical health

Do activities that you enjoy

Take two minutes to focus on the world around you

Get enough sleep

Practice small acts of kindness/volunteer

At Blackwood we want our employees to be happy and healthy.

If you are struggling with mental health or just need some advice here are some numbers and websites you might find useful.

UK - Wesfield Health

24 hour telephone line for confidential Help and advice on medical , legal and domestic issues.

0800 092 0987

MIND Infoline provides an information and sign posting service.

0300 123 3393 86463 (text) http://www.mind.uk.org

CAMPAIGN AGAINST LIVING MISERABLY (CALM)

Provides a listening service for anyone needing a chat via telephone or online 0800 58 58 58 http://www.thecalmzone.net

Mental Health Awareness

COMMUNITY ADVICE AND LISTENING LINE (CALL)

Provides information and support for people experiencing a mental health problem in Wales

0800 132 737 (helpline)

81066 (text HELP plus your message)

http://www callhelpline org uk

SAMARITANS

Samaritans are open 24/7 for anyone who needs to talk 116 123 (freephone)

http://www smaritans org

PAPYRUS HOPELINE UK

Confidential support for someone at risk of suicide and others who are concerned about them. Open daily from 9am - midnight

0800 068 41 41

07786 209 697 (text)

http://www papyrus-uk org/

RETHINK MENTAL ILLNESS

Provides support and information for anyone affected by mental health problems

0300 5000 927

http://www rethink org

Torfaen & Blaenau Gwent Mind

Affiliated to the National MIND Charity 01495 757393

https://www.torfaenmind.co.uk

YOUNG MINDS

Young Minds provide support for young people up to 25, they also provide support to parents of children up to 25

https://www.youngminds.org.uk

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parents

Mental Health Awareness

COMBAT STRESS

Military Veterans & their families

Tel: 0800 138 1619

Text: 07537 173683

Email: helpline@combatstress org uk

Give us a shout

Text: ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 for 24/7 metal health support Website: https://giveusashout.org/

WALES DRUG & ALCOHOL HELPLINE 0808 808 2234

Or text DAN to: 81066

NHS

For 24/7 urgent mental health support call 111 & press option 2

Operational Support Psychologist Limburg (Dilsen) psycho-limburg@mensura.be +32 25 49 71 17

Zelfmoordlijn (Dilsen) mail@zelfmoordlijn be 1813

www zelfmoord13183 be in case someone wants to chat online

Mental Health First Aiders

Johanna Morris

Lucy Champion

Rebecca Watkins

Morgan Tarr

Cycle 2 Work

We launched the Cycle 2 work scheme You can apply anytime for the scheme, subject to T&C's.

How do I apply?

To make a Cycle2Work application, go to www.cycle2work.info and click on ‘Employee Sign Up’ This is where you register using your unique employer code: BWENGC2W. You’ll then receive an email with a link to verify your email address and complete your application. Your application will be sent off to your employer, and once approved, you’ll receive your Letter of Collection by email

If you have any other queries, please contact HR.

Health & Safety

The Safety Golden Rules.

Must be followed by all BWE employees to keep you and your colleagues, safe.

Lone Working

Initially, aimed to protect the employees working alone in the factory, also introduced for the three office locations working early or late.

Office Safety

Jessica Thomas, one of our H&S representatives in Foxes Lane, got together with Connor Ward, our SHE Apprentice, based in Aberbeeg, to focus on potential hazards within the office environment. Jessica then created the excellent awareness poster shown here which is now being displayed all three sites.

Thank you Jessica, Great job…..

New MUK Accident Reporting Software

In the last quarter of last year, we invested in a software package through our Health & Safety consultants, Make UK, (formally EEF – Engineering Employees Federation). The package is web based and is being managed and maintained by the Production Support Engineering Team. The benefits include:

Paperless (Sustainable)

Anyone can access to report hazards / incidents / accidents via smart phone, tablet or PC.

QR codes can be used to take users straight to the portal.

In addition to hazard, accident & Near Miss reporting, users can complete:

o Risk Assessments

o Safety Inspections

o Action Issuing with automatic follow up by email

o Internal Auditing with templates ISO/9001, 14001 & 45001

ISO 45001 compliant – if we wish to pursue in the future

Environmental reporting of , Incidents, aspects & impacts , Legal Registers & waste records)

Make advisors can view our data and intervene where they feel necessary.

Connor has completed Phase 1 training for all the Team Leaders, with the system going live on the 1 April as planned. st of

Phase 2 training will commence shortly Thank you and well done, Connor.

Lastly, always remember Our Safety Mission:

“ injury free today and everyday”

Customer News

Sennebogen

Following on from STILL, Sennebogen placed another order with us, this time for a 2.7T counterweight for their 817E machine. This is projected to bring a further 81 tonnes to Dilsen.

STILL S.p.A.

The first order of 2025 comes from STILL S.p.A. in Italy. STILL who are a part of the KION Group placed an order for 2 counterweights, bringing in an annual tonnage of 5 to Dilsen.

Linde Aschaffenburg

The third order of the year and is another one for the KION Group. This time for Linde Aschaffenburg who placed an order for 6 castings, Fork Clevis’, Supports and Adaptors.

Customer News

Jungheinrich Luneburg

Another order coming through Dilsen, is one for Jungheinrich this time. We secured an auxiliary weight that we first started looking at 3 years ago. This will be used on their EKM 202 machine.

JCB Loadall

The fifth order of the year and quarter and the first for the UK was placed by JCB Loadall. This order is for two counterweights for their new P1078 machine.

2025 TOTAL OUTPUT

Aberbeeg: 5,785 Tonnes

Dilsen: 4,247 Tonnes

Blaina: 1,860 Tonnes

Direct: 1,334 Tonnes

TOTAL : 13,227 TONNES

WELL DONE TO EVERYONE INVOLVED!

Employee Voice UK

Blackwood Employee Voice is a platform where employees can voice opinions, generate creative ideas, and contribute to organisational improvements which will hopefully have a positive influence on everyone’s work life and the company’s success.

Your Reps

Scan me to visit the employee voice page or put a suggestion in the boxes around the sites

The next meeting will be on the 3rd July.

Employee Voice Dilsen

Welcome to Blackwood!

Employee Milestones

March

12 Years

Jason Payne

10 Years

Rebecca Crowle

7 Years

Leigham Phelps

Raineldo Bernadina (Dilsen)

5 Years

Sarah Telling

3 Years

Ieuan James

Jack Giffard

Gavin James

2 Years

Jade Horler

Gareth Deacon

Wesley Imbornone (Dilsen)

1 Year

Viv Compton

Latest Photo Competition

Winter Picture Competition Winner Announced

Congratulations to Ellie Burr who spotted this JCB TM220 Telescopic Wheel Loader.

Ellie will receive a £10 gift voucher. To enter the next competition you can find details further on in the newsletter.

Blackwood Trust

Since the last BW Trust meeting we have donated to a number of organisations locally, nationally and overseas including:

ALC Young Voices

The Grand Appeal

Read for Good Ospreys Wheelchair Rugby Club

Reeva’s Journey

Abertillery Bluebirds Youth Barnardos Sparkle 21 Plus Health Help International Chillax

Ebenezer Food Bank

TK Food Bank

Blaenau Gwent Food Bank

Meet The Team: Vivienne Compton

You know the name but find out more about the person. In this quarter's edition we find out more about Vivienne Compton, Training & Development at Blackwood Engineering.

How long have you been at Blackwood?

I joined Blackwood Engineering part-time, 12 months ago

What does your typical day look like?

A typical day would be a catch-up with the team, review comms and identify the priority tasks that will make a difference My focus is on supporting the external Learning and Development needs of the business across 3 UK sites and providing solutions that will underpin the company values and provide a return on investment We are fortunate to be part of a quality-focused family business that believes in the development and investment in our greatest resource – our people So I help facilitate that I also help teams recruit internally, particularly to Development Roles, and identify funding opportunities and apply for grants that will help the business invest in a greater number of staff gaining access to skill development opportunities. Last year I helped the company leverage £54K of the Apprenticeship Levy through the recruitment of 2 Undergraduate Degree Apprentices and just under £25K of capital works funding to purchase and install yard storage tents at Aberbeeg This week I am working on an EOI for a new capital works bid focused on Sustainability, a Welsh Gov skills grant to support access to more specialist training, a Quickstart recruitment project with the local council, and a BWE competency framework and MDP I am also sourcing a GD&T course to fill in the gaps in knowledge between BS8888 and ISO GPS standards There are so many acronyms to learn when I first saw the request I thought it was for Gin & Tonic (G&T) training!

What song is stuck in your head currently?

Messy by Lola Young

What is your most overused word or phrase?

It’s only for today – not for ever!

Do you have any hidden talents or party tricks?

I have been a beekeeper for 12 years and currently have 4 active hives. I love to watch them buzzing around the flowers, collecting pollen – it’s very calming

I did get stung on my forehead once whilst not paying attention or wearing protection and my head swelled quite badly and I looked like the elephant-woman for a while! I now carry an epi-pen as apparently your system can become intolerant to stings over time I fall into the latter group it would seem But I still love my bees!

Meet The Team: Vivienne Compton

What is one thing you could not live without?

My family are everything. However, now we have a caravan at my ‘Happy Place’ in Pembrokeshire, I find I can live without them a little more now - most weekends actually!

Name one person you would love to meet.

I always wanted to meet Kevin McCloud to talk about designing and building an intergenerational home for my family on three levels, with a cellar. Some people have a naughty step – I want a cellar!

Lastly, if you could visit anywhere on earth where would you go?

I would like to visit New Zealand, Thailand, Singapore, Sri Lanka and the Philippines one day But my ‘Happy Place’ is by the sea at Wiseman’s Bridge in Pembrokeshire!

Thanks For Reading!

For the next newsletter (Summer 2025), please could you send over any article submissions, latest news or items of note to Jade Horler@bweng com by Monday 16th June

If you have any suggestions or items you would like to see included in the company newsletter please let us know. We would love to hear from you!