A Manufacturing operations organisation has been awarded a Gold Investors in People (IiP) Award.
The Employment and Learning Minister, Stephen Farry presented NACCO Materials Handling Group (NMHG) with its award during a visit to theCraigavon plant.
Speaking to employees whilst presenting the award at the NMHG plant, the Minister said: “Along with strong leadership, it is well recognised that effective people and skills management will transform a business. NACCO Materials Handling Group has clearly demonstrated its commitment to employee development by successfully retaining Investors in People Gold Standard.
“I commend the manufacturing operations organisation which, through achieving this prestigious award, has shown excellence by investing in the skills of its workforce.
“The link between people and business is a powerful one and NACCO Materials Handling Group in retaining Gold status has succeeded in realising and developing the potential of its most important asset — people.”
During its recent IiP assessment NMHG presented evidence well beyond that required to meet the core Investors in People award and is only one of 42 organisations in Northern Ireland which have achieved the Investors in People Gold Status.
Investors in People has long been acknowledged as a successful framework for business improvement through people.
It assists organisations of every size and sector to compete and succeed through improved people performance.
Based in Craigavon, County Armagh, the NMHG plant is the largest of only a few counterbalanced forklift truck factories remaining in the UK. Up to 14,000 forklift trucks are manufactured each year at the Craigavon plant, which are distributed world-wide under the globally recognised brand names of Hyster® and Yale®.
Welcoming the Minister to the NMHG Plant, manager Alan Little said: “I am delighted to receive this IiP Gold Certificate of Recognition from Minister Farry on behalf of the whole NMHG Craigavon Plant workforce.
“The determination, enthusiasm, commitment and drive of our people on this site is our greatest strength and this IiP Gold achievement is testimony to this. With fewer than 10% of recognised organisations across the UK achieving this level of recognition, I am immensely proud of our whole Craigavon team.”