Investing in People: How Tornado Wire Maintains Its Gold Accreditation

Investing in People: How Tornado Wire Maintains Its Gold Accreditation.

Tornado Wire Ltd, the UK’s leading manufacturer of agricultural wire fencing, is proud to continue its Gold accreditation from Investors in People (IIP). This prestigious accreditation highlights the company’s commitment to fostering a supportive environment that drives continuous improvement and employee wellbeing.

As Investors in People states: “Investing in your people is not only the right thing to do, it’s proven to be essential in delivering sustainable results, especially in a crisis. Organisations that lead, support, and develop their workforce effectively are 17% more productive and 21% more profitable.”

Our management team shares the reasons behind this continued success:

Rebecca Galley, CEO, explains: “We are always striving for improvement. Recently, IIP shared a thought-provoking whitepaper with us, which reinforced the importance of key cultural factors such as supportive management, workload balance, and flexibility. These elements are essential in fostering genuine employee wellbeing.”

Wayne Ruddy, Operations Manager, adds: “I’ve been involved with the IIP journey since we first applied for the standard over 17 years ago. Back then, we earned the bronze accreditation, and over time we’ve progressed to silver and now gold twice. For us, it’s not just about receiving a plaque; it’s about embedding these values into the heart of our culture and living by them every day.

“Innovation is at the core of what we do. We were pioneers in developing tensile fencing, torus posts, and steel posts. Our investments in quality, testing, and facilities have greatly enhanced our processes. While we started with manual work and limited PPE, today we have automation, better training, and a stronger commitment to health and safety. These changes reflect our evolving culture, giving our staff the tools they need to succeed.

“At the end of the day, our greatest asset is our people.”

Dave Wilson, Quality and Procurement Manager, highlights the company’s focus on employee development: “We have established clear progression levels for our Machine Operators, ranging from level 1, where they observe the machine, to level 5, where they train others. The training levels have evolved alongside new machines and processes, ensuring our workforce is continually improving.”

John Barnes, Continuous Improvement Manager, explains: “We updated our training levels in 2013, introducing a colour-coded system that corresponds with machine competencies and operator levels. Continuous improvement is a key principle for us, and these changes reflect our ongoing commitment to progress.”

Steve Allard adds: “Our current focus is on building upon the IIP survey from last year, with specific attention to communication, training, and facilities. We’ve set up a communications committee that meets monthly, and we’ve introduced digital screens at our Millom factory to keep everyone informed. Staff also have opportunities to connect with the Operations Director through regular coffee mornings, and we’re involved in an internal newsletter to keep communication open.

“Training is another key priority. John Barnes, who was previously Operations Support, has been promoted to Continuous Improvement Manager, overseeing shop-floor and higher-level skills training.

“We’ve also made improvements to our facilities, including upgrading the mess rooms, locker rooms, and gym, with a focus on goal-setting for staff this year.”

John Barnes adds: “Having been with Tornado Wire Ltd. for 15 years, I’ve seen significant growth in both our machinery and facilities. I was involved in the development of the Torus machine, having travelled to New Zealand for training. In 2012, we took a blank canvas and developed the product to suit our needs in Millom.

“We’ve grown from a small company to a medium-sized one, but our focus remains on training and our people. We’re still looking to grow and improve.”

Alex Bretherton, Finance Director, concludes: “Innovation is key to our ongoing development. We’ve implemented an HR system and introduced changes to the holiday scheme. There’s more to come as we continue to evolve and innovate.”

Tornado Wire Ltd's continued Gold accreditation from Investors in People is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and continuous improvement embedded in the company’s culture. By investing in our people, fostering innovation, and prioritising employee wellbeing, we remain committed to building a strong, sustainable future. As we look ahead, our focus will continue to be on empowering our team, adapting to new challenges, and maintaining the high standards that have earned us this prestigious recognition. Our people truly are our greatest asset, and together, we will continue to grow and thrive.