TAKE 10 Newsletter - Spring/Summer 2023

10

HEADLINES

SHINING BRIGHT…

2023 is flying by, and although we continue to operate in a tough climate, we remain resilient by continuing to find ways to thrive, building on the lessons we’ve learned as ONE Team over the past three years throughout the pandemic.

Our people are certainly proving that they are better able to anticipate and respond to challenges and opportunities.

CONTENTS

- Headlines

- Message from Simon

- Community Update

- New Starters

- Promotions

- Staff Achievements

- Long Service Awards

- Baby News

SAVE

We understand that our workforce can only perform at their best when they’re set up for success with the right tools, processes, and guardrails in place for optimal productivity.

We want to inspire and encourage all of our colleagues to achieve their goals. That being said, this edition of our newsletter recognises those who have already been promoted in the early part of 2023, together with those who are developing their skills via various different training initiatives. We also shine a light on those going over and above for our business, our customers and the wider community and those reaching long service milestones.

THE

DATES…

JUNE 16

- Employee of the Month

- In the Spotlight

- Primary Focus PracticeCare Update

- Rocialle Direct Update

- Vision Building Solar Panels Update’

- ‘In Closing’ Sales Update

With many exciting developments to look out for over the coming summer months, here are just a few important dates to mark in your calendar.

SUMMER CELEBRATION 2023

To kick start the summer in style and to celebrate the incredible transformation of Ty Mynydd, we’re hoping to gather everyone together onsite late afternoon/early evening on Friday 16th June.

ROCIALLE RAMBLERS CHARITY HIKE 2023

JULY 9

Featuring forestry, caves, natural pools and spectacular waterfalls, this year’s chosen trail will see our Rocialle Ramblers hike the stunningly epic ‘Ystradfellte Waterfalls Walk’ on Sunday 9th July.

“The most dangerous phrase in the language is that we’ve always done it that way.” Admiral Grace Harper

SIAN TOTHILL

Human Resources Manager

fromMessageSimon!

I am pleased to be able to report that the integration of the Dene Healthcare business, which was acquired in early January, into the Rocialle Healthcare Group has gone very well. Craig and his team have been extremely welcoming, and I would like to thank them and everyone who has been involved from the RHL side for their efforts. There are still a number of parallel activities that are running where we expect to see gains on both sides so the rest of 2023 will continue to be busy in this regard.

We have had some difficulties with the integration of the MidMeds business as the shareholders exited the business in January. I would like to thank the team at MidMeds and also those from RHL who have been heavily involved in the work required to turn this situation around such that we are now in a much more stable position. Thank you to those who have had to spend time travelling up to (and staying in) Hertford to help with this stabilization, this is greatly appreciated.

For our core business, activity levels through the first four months have been very encouraging. There have been some blips along the way with doctors strikes, regulatory issues around CE marking impacting our export market, and continuing challenges in terms of component costs, energy, general inflation etc, but we are in line with our revenue targets and have some exciting opportunities in our sales pipeline for later in the year.

Having been visited by Zhende in January and March, during April we were pleased to welcome three visitors from our Australian shareholder, Multigate, who visited Ty Mynydd and Parc Agility as well as the new businesses of MidMeds and Dene. It has been more than three years since their last visit and the feedback was very positive.

As well as the more obvious differences in the refurbished building and the new warehouse, they commented about the greater degree of enthusiasm and energy from all of the staff and the amount of projects that are being worked on to drive further improvements in our business.

They left with a very good impression of our values, facilities, people and strategy. I would like to thank everyone who was involved in the visit, as well as those of you who were involved in the preparations.

Andrew and the Ops team continue their Lean Six Sigma and project activity, mitigating continuing cost pressures in the business and removing non-value-add activity. I was pleased to be able to present Green Belt accreditation in April to another cohort of our team.

“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” Steve Jobs

I am excited to see the delivery of more Lean projects from these individuals alongside the work already being undertaken by the previous groups.

We have now seen the delivery of the pouch machine and the new web and paper supplies, all part of our continuing efforts to drive down our costs in the fact of the inflationary pressures we are all facing.

In addition, I am pleased to finally report that our solar panels project is complete, and we are already generating power.

As you will all have seen, we are now fully installed into the refurbished facilities in Ty Mynydd. I am delighted with the end product after all the hard work and the many months of having to deal with less than perfect working conditions.

GIVING BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY ...

Recognising Jayne Haggett, Production Operative

We would like to give a special mention to one of our Production Operators, Jayne Haggett, for her outstanding achievement in fundraising £15,000 over the past 5 years through organising various different charity initiatives.

Jayne has helped raise much needed funds for The Pink Ribbon Foundation, The Rowan Tree and Velindre, all of which are very close to Jayne’s heart. More recently Jayne has been raising money for Signposted Cymru, a local charity who support people suffering with their mental health.

I hope that you are all enjoying the new Staff Restaurant area. Please look out for further communication as we are looking to have a competition to name all the new communal rooms in the facility.

There will also be a social event later in the summer to more formally mark the opening of these facilities (further info to follow from HR).

Regards

Simon Loose, CEO

The founder of Signposted Cymru has been so impressed with Jayne’s involvement with the charity, he has asked her to join their team as a Volunteer.

This isn’t the only recognition that Jayne has recently received, as last month Jayne received a letter from Buckingham Palace, inviting her to attend the Royal Garden Party on 3rd May 2023.

Unfortunately, due to personal commitments, Jayne was unable to attend, however, she is extremely honoured to have been recognised and invited to such a prestigious royal event.

Well done Jayne on all of your achievements and keep up the good work, we are all so very proud of you.

BE SURE TO LOOK OUT FOR TICKETS FOR JAYNE’S NEXT CHARITY EVENT!

“Responsibility finds a way. Irresponsibility makes excuses.”

Gene Bedley

WHO’S NEW…

Supporting the continued growth and development of our business, we’re delighted to welcome the following people to the Rocialle Healthcare family this year.

Gavin Lloyd Warehouse Operator - Parc Agility

Ella Bennett Production Operator

Lisa Lewis Production Operator

Sandra Thurston Production Operator

Shaun Button Warehouse Operator - Parc Agility

Grant Mahoney Warehouse Operator - Parc Agility

Katie Edmunds Production Operator

Debbie Tucker Production Operator

Thomas Bond Warehouse Operator - Parc Agility

Jane Thomas Production Operator

Renata Majka Warehouse Operator - Parc Agility

Grant Morris Warehouse Operator - Parc Agility

Martyn Jones Production Operator

Louise Thrift Warehouse Operator - Parc Agility

Sarah Morgan Production Operator

Dominic Davies Production Operator

Opportunities continue to arise for our people to develop their careers.

Please join us in congratulating the following people on their well-deserved promotions in the first part of 2023.

Gracie Holliday HR Administrator

Sumaya Tickner Product Specialist

Harry Knowles-Lawson Operations Coordinator

Haleema Sadiq Acute Care Sales Associate

David Titterington Management Accountant

Sapphire Neal Warehouse Administrator

Jordan Williams Sales & Marketing Coordinator

Iman Khan Wound Care Sales Associate

Ceinwen Jones Promoted to Commercial Tender Coordinator

Sophie Williams Promoted to Regulatory Technician

Gareth Lewis Promoted to Warehouse Operative and Training Coordinator

Craig Roberts Promoted to PI Count & Complaint Investigation Cover

“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.”

Ryunosuke Satoro

STAFF ACHIEVEMENTS

Green Belt Delegates

During the early part of 2023, the teams pictured embarked on an NVQ Diploma in Business Improvement Techniques. This course is designed to maximise business efficiency via the elimination of waste and non-value add activities, whilst reducing cost and creating a safer environment.

Well done to the team who received their certificates for successfully completing level 2 and 3 in this Diploma.

Working mainly in the cleanroom, (although the methodology can be applicable across all business functions) the focus has been to improve work order efficiency alongside other Lean activities. We have already seen work order efficiency increase from around 75% to consistently around 80%, the goal is to now sustain a score of around 83%.

This course gives employees the tools to successfully define, measure, analyse, improve, and control aspects of continuous improvement projects with a different thought process, resulting in significant savings for our business.

Savings of over £100,000 have been made from the completion of the following projects;

• Utilising less liners in finished goods, resulting in less resource being required and reducing our carbon footprint.

• Changing the type of tissue paper from plain crepe to green tissue which is far more cost effective. As a result of this change, we have also saved on labour costs.

• Reducing stock of finished goods and raw materials, improving forecast accuracy/product availability and streamlining processes so that we can spend our time on more value-add activity which will impact on business profitability.

Well done to our most recent delegates, we look forward to hearing of how your continuous improvement projects are progressing over the coming months.

“Loyalty is the strongest glue which makes a relationship last for a lifetime.”

Mario Puzo

“Don’t limit your challenges, challenge your limits.”

Anon

In-Housing our Warehouse Machinery Training with

Gareth Lewis.

We’d like to congratulate Gareth Lewis, newly promoted to Warehouse Operative and Training Coordinator, on passing his Warehouse Machinery Instructor Training in March.

We received outstanding feedback from the Training Provider and this notable qualification means Gareth is now legally able to carry out training assessments of Operators, producing certification to the requirements and recommendations of the HSE Approved Code of Practice.

Gareth has had an incredibly busy few months since returning back to South Wales from MidMeds earlier this year - he’s devised new material and rolled out licence acquisition and refresher training for FLT Machine Operatives between both sites, all in addition to continuing with his Warehouse and Stock Control duties.

WELCOME TO THE WORLD…

Our CIPS Delegates

Wojciech has completed 6 exams for his Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) qualification this year, with only 2 left to go!

Well done Wojciech and good luck to Nicola Barry who starts her CIPS journey next month.

We’d like to congratulate Ceinwen Jones and husband Mark on the birth of their beautiful baby boy, Felix William Jones, born 22nd April 2023, weighing just 4lb 7oz.

Felix Jones

Great to hear mum, baby and family are doing well.

LONG SERVICE!

OUR PEOPLE MAKE THE DIFFERENCE!

years

We’re delighted to recognise the commitment, loyalty and contribution of Somsamon, Samantha, Ross and Nicola over this past 10 years.

ABOVE AND BEYOND…!

Testament to the exceptional work that people are continually demonstrating, nominations for EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH continues to be received from all over our business.

Our congratulations go to everyone who has been deservedly put forward for this accolade and we’re proud to recognise and acknowledge…. JANUARY

Terri regularly goes above and beyond, often stepping up to the role of Team Leader to run a line, and never needing to be asked. She is such a versatile member of our Team and can be called upon to help within any area of Production, Packing and has even helped within the Warehouse when needed.

Nothing is too much trouble for Terri and it’s clear from the multiple nominations that she has received from her co-workers, that her efforts are very much appreciated.

Gareth has shown incredible adaptability this year, adjusting his plans at short notice in response to group-wide priorities, and agreeing to be placed at MidMeds (Hertford) to supervise their Warehouse Operation.

As a result, they are now on top of all goods in, available despatches, returns and stock accuracy.

It’s fair to say the MidMeds Team have benefitted immensely from having Gareth with them.

Jonathon was amazing support during a challenging month in March with staff absence and E-beam downtime.

Not only does he often move between different business areas, but he is also very happy to change his shift pattern at short notice to catch up on productivity, ensuring service levels are maintained.

This has been particularly challenging lately, switching from days, afternoons and nights within a matter of weeks.

Bruno has ‘hit the ground running’, having only recently joined the business. He has been busy building relationships with staff members company-wide, and with 3rd party support channels, to deliver on multiple projects. Some of these crucial projects cover areas such as Forecasting, Shipping Reports and PEPPOL/ Orders. Bruno also covers the day-to-day AX12 support tickets and is currently working with subject matter experts on developing a Teams channel for AX12 FAQs, which will serve as a trouble shooting and self-help platform.

Who do you feel is living by our corporate values and going the extra mile for the business, it’s people and our customers? Don’t miss the opportunity to nominate your deserving colleagues and make sure you include tangible examples of how they have gone above and beyond.

2023

MARCH 2023

FEBRUARY 2023

APRIL 2023

Terri Warner Cleanroom Production Operator

Jonathon Llewellyn E-Beam Operator

Gareth Lewis Warehouse Operator Training Coordinator

Bruno Janota ERP Support Engineer

IN THE SPOTLIGHT...

NIKOLETA KALINOVA

Nikoleta joined the business as one of our first Graduates in September 2021 after graduating with a business degree, and subsequently a Masters in Human Resource Management, from Swansea University.

From the very start of her journey at Rocialle Healthcare, Nikoleta was determined to shape her career in her chosen profession, eager to put the knowledge she had acquired from her studies into practice in the workplace.

Nikoleta has done just that, progressing from HR Administrator to HR Advisor within her first 12 months and contributing to the delivery of key HR objectives to ensure our people are at the heart of our success as they continue to develop within a positive learning culture.

Another big part of her role within HR is to ensure the business remains compliant with ever changing Employment Legislation. This has been a focus area for Nikoleta throughout the start of 2023 with her achieving Distinction in an 8-week HR and Employment Law Boot Camp, hosted by HR in Rehab. This course has been incredibly valuable as she is currently updating current and devising new policies for the business and continuing to provide advice and support to staff company-wide.

We’re so proud of Nikoleta’s First Class result and we’re excited to see her progressive journey continue within the Company.

Her development plan will see her fully CIPD qualified within the next 2 years and we’re thrilled to be able to support her in obtaining this accreditation.

Visible across our whole organisation, Nikoleta continues to champion various well-being initiatives, promoting a supportive culture in line with our values, where the health of our people remains a top priority.

In her spare time, when she is not studying, Nikoleta enjoys baking, watt bike classes and hiking (you can catch her on the waterfalls walk in July!) Oh, and thanks to her bar work throughout university, she makes the best cocktails around!

What would you like to see in future newsletters?

We’d love to get your feedback on the company newsletter and what you’d like to see in future issues.

Please let us know your thoughts by e-mailing HumanResources@rociallehealthcare.com

“One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.” Bryant H McGill

PRIMARY FOCUS

As we strive to achieve our five-year vision, the Rocialle PracticeCare division continues to go from strength to strength.

Building on the acquisition of MidMeds last October, we were delighted to welcome Dene Healthcare into our family at the start of this year and working together, we look forward to further growing our already strong position in the primary care supplies market.

Leveraging our combined scale, both MidMeds and Dene have already started to realise initial cost savings along with many opportunities for new products and proactive business development. In collaboration with Craig and his team, we plan to further accelerate this momentum over the remainder of this year and look out for more exciting initiatives coming soon.

MIDMEDS UPDATE

The Journey So Far..

Having now been part of Rocialle PracticeCare for over 6 months, it’s great to be able to share the many positives that have been achieved in a very short time.

While there may be around 180 miles between Hertford and South Wales, a close and cohesive team has quickly been established and testament to the hard work and passion of everyone involved, there’s a commitment to taking the business to the next level.

While challenges are always to be naturally expected with any acquisition, the team has successfully overcome them; helping to deliver 8% business growth on the same period last year.

In addition to providing members of the MidMeds team with their first visit to Ty Mynydd, our first offsite strategy day has resulted in a series of functional plans resulting in some immediate wins that include better pricing on key lines, focused category management on key products, integrated sales & marketing campaigns, and new commercial propositions.

Further successes have been realised from successfully starting to exhibit at key conferences and meetings. In attending the LMC annual conference in Nottingham, Tammy and Tina secured several new accounts and the opportunities to quote for new equipment, including a sales lead to kit-out an entire surgery new build which is aligned with one of key focus areas. www.midmeds.co.uk/newbuilds

Moreover, receiving a tremendous response when presented at recent conference in Scotland, we’re delighted to be introducing our own Regional Buying Group Service where already over 40 new customers have registered to join.

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”

Milton Berle

BETTER TOGETHER!

As I get older time just seems to fly by and I find it hard to believe that Dene has been a part of Rocialle for almost six months now, so it seems like a good point to share my thoughts on where we are.

You can imagine that the acquisition was met by Dene’s staff, and management alike, with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. Excitedto be a part of a market leading company that we had always admired, due to your history, reputation and unfailingly excellent delivery service. Nervous – quite naturally, about change and the unknown.

To date, we have been delighted with the way things are going. The Senior Leadership Team at Rocialle have been second to none with their focus completely on understanding and improvement, over control. Via this support, Dene Healthcare has been able to leverage the many benefits of the new association with Rocialle Healthcare which has given us a new determination and energy internally.

I recently had the privilege of a site tour at your Mountain Ash site and was introduced to a number of you at Roacialle – thank you all for making me feel so welcome! I’m happy to state with confidence that you have a fantastic, vibrant team of professionals, working in amazing surroundings and I would like to express my gratitude on behalf of everyone at Dene Healthcare for the fantastic support you have given us over the years.

We’re all excited to see what the future brings and look forward to going on the adventure with you!

Craig Arnott - Business Unit Director (Dene Healthcare)

… ROCIALLE DIRECT IS UP AND RUNNING!!!

The Emperor Stoma range is live on the Drug Tariff and we are now receiving sample requests via the website and our Freephone helpline. We hope to start processing NHS Prescriptions in just a few more weeks’ time too (how exciting)!

Our marketing campaign begins with the first of our advertisements published in the two main stoma journals, both these journals are circulated at the beginning of June so we expect to be incredibly busy responding to patient enquiries and sample requests. We’ll make sure there are a few copies of the journals in and around the communal areas so you can see just how our products are helping to support the stoma community.

The Rocialle woundcare range launched in the UK last April is currently being re-branded, and as with stoma will be recognised under the Emperor brand.

The Emperor Woundcare range continues to be available in hospitals as it has been for over a year, but now that we are able to supply in smaller pack sizes we’ve opened up the community market and can supply our woundcare range direct to patients via NHS Prescription.

The availability in the community is a welcome springboard for our sales and we’ll be working hard to embed the range and the brand which we hope will soon become synonymous in the market for both quality and cost effectiveness.

The full offering from Rocialle Direct is showcased on our new dedicated website www.rocialledirect.com take a look around and please let us know what you think!

And please feel free to follow, comment, like and share on the Emperor stoma and Emperor wound socials too, it’s early days for us and your support to spread the word to a wider community would be greatly appreciated.

GILL SIMS Business Development Director

IN CLOSING...

SALES & NEW BUSINESS UPDATE

In the first quarter we saw a great start to the year with sales for the period over budget by £200k, a testament to the new business secured in the latter part of 2022, and price increase activities carried out throughout 2022 to reflect our own cost pressures.

April was a little more sobering, unfortunately the junior doctors strike had a big impact on sales with over 200 thousand hospital appointments and procedures cancelled in the month, though despite this, we are still ahead of budget year to date.

With the launch of our new cannula range this year, we welcomed Sumaya Tickner to the team in January.

Sumaya has made an impressive start generating a number of exciting leads already ahead of our range going live in June.

ANDREW BOWEN Operations Director

ANTHONY GRADY Sales Director

The feedback we have had from sample evaluations is extremely positive and we hope this will signal the start of a great new range within our ever-expanding division.

In March we also welcomed Haleema Sadiq to the team who has joined us as a Sales Associate who is primarily focusing on sales in our Single Use Instrument range. Again, Haleema has hit the ground running and is already showing traction in sales via Blue Diamond as well as securing a number of potential leads with large Podiatry groups, an area that we used to have a large market share but has dwindled in recent years.

In the remainder of this year, we have a number of new product launches from Fluro-Tec to IV extension lines and many others planned for the 2024 and beyond in conjunction with our shareholders ensuring that the future will be diverse, exciting and above all profitable in line with our five-year strategic growth plan.

VISION BUILDING SOLAR PANELS PROJECT

Following significant investment last year, our Solar panel system is now up and running creating electricity for use on site.

With over 900 panels on the roof, we will be generating over 350,000 Kwh per annum, around 20% of our annual usage.

When we don’t need the energy on site, typically at weekends, we have the ability to transfer this directly to the National Grid.

This has been a complicated project with some setbacks along the way but it is great to see the system in use and supporting our environmental objectives as well as reducing our energy costs.

A big thanks to the Engineering team for supporting this project over the last 9 months.