The European Works Council (EWC) held its annual meeting recently in Brussels. The EWC sees colleagues from across the company gathering to meet with senior managers in order to hear updates about the business and to give their thoughts on a variety of issues.
The UK business was represented by Dave Vernon (above, inset), who has attended six previous meetings, and Billy Kent, who is new to the role. Here Dave gives an update on the three-day meeting.
From 3 to 5 December, the European Works Council held its 9th annual meeting in Brussels, bringing together close to 20 EWC members from 11 countries and various different business areas.
This year was a particularly important meeting for the EWC, as about a third of the participants were newly elected members attending for the first time. During the three day meeting, the EWC discussed and exchanged information about topics and actions that may have an impact on Ideal Standard employees, and heard from the company’s senior management about a number of subjects relevant to our current situation, our challenges, our opportunities and future outlook.
During the three day meeting, the EWC discussed and exchanged information about topics and actions that may have an impact on Ideal Standard employees, and heard from the company’s Senior Management about the company’s journey this year.
Chief Commercial Officer Jan Peter Tewes (above, centre) shared a much appreciated update about the company’s commercial transformation that started this year, highlighting key commercial initiatives focused on developing our top customers, channel growth in our projects business, new product introductions and investments in digital tools. He also shared high level market expectations for 2020.
Chief Operations Officer Jonas Nilsson (above, centre) commended the great progress made this year throughout the Operations organisation in terms of manufacturing performance, increased standardisation, supply chain performance and improved collaboration across the function. He also highlighted areas for improvement in, for example, health and safety, while acknowledging some of the difficult decisions the company had to take in the year.
At the end of day two, the EWC welcomed our CEO Torsten Türling (above, centre) to the meeting. During his session, Torsten shared his views on the broader context we operate in today, emphasising the many efforts and great achievements across all functions and countries to put Ideal Standard back on track of success.
I first got involved with the works council in 2014 when the first meeting was in Portugal. I wasn’t really sure what was expected from me as I put my headphones on to hear the interpreters.
This is where it gets interesting being able to talk to colleagues from all over Europe with no language barriers, discussing matters affecting their workplace, their jobs, their worries and what to expect from the company.
It’s also very valuable being able to ask these questions to the senior managers, the questions people in factories and offices want to ask but not having the opportunity or means to do so.
Once again, we were very pleased with this year’s meeting, particularly the high level of interaction between our members and the very open and transparent dialogue with senior managers. We particularly appreciated the opportunity to ask the critical questions, openly discuss sensitive topics and address local concerns with our senior executives. It’s a privilege to represent the UK at the EWC, to meet colleagues from throughout Ideal Standard and to work together for the good of the business.