A CHOCOLATE manufacturer has achieved sweet success in its efforts to develop employee engagement and satisfaction, with staff surveys consistently showing 95 per cent think it is a good place to work from an average response rate of 83 per cent.

Little wonder then that Kinnerton Confectionery, at Sherburn-in-Elmet, has entered the Achievement Through People category of The Press Business Awards.

Part of the German-owned Zertus group, the Sherburn site produces chocolate and sugar coated dragee products for major retailers. It has a total of 160 employees, made up of 140 employees and 20 agency.

“In 2012, a senior team strategy review highlighted the need to further develop employee engagement and satisfaction. As a result a focus group was formed to create a better work environment.

“The focus group created the RESPECT values (Right first time, Environment, Success, People, Ethical, Communication, Teamwork) which were communicated throughout the business.”

The entry adds that the RESPECT values were revisited in 2015, with all employees committing to further personal change. “An appraisal system has been introduced to all employees, including the factory floor, aligning objectives with business strategic ambitions.

“All employees have a review at least twice a year, with a six-monthly talent mapping exercise carried out to identify our talent and discuss development opportunities.”

Monthly meetings between the employee engagement team and the leadership team discuss engagement on site and communications improvements. “The workforce are energised and engaged and take part in continuous improvement activities and take responsibility for their own workplace.

“We have a bright ideas scheme that encourages and rewards staff for putting improvement suggestions forward.”

Since 2013, 78 operators and administrative level employees have done apprenticeships in food industry skills, food manufacturing excellence and business improvement techniques., and the firm is active in the local comS