In recognition of the transformational change in staff development, wellbeing and community involvement, Sunderland-based, Faltec Europe, won Employer of the Year at the North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA) Annual Awards at the end of March 2024.
The company, which produces metal and plastic trim products and employs 320 staff, received £2,000 which was donated to Our Lady & St Thomas Catholic Primary School in Willington, County Durham to support its STEM provision. In total, the award winners of all categories have donated £16,500 to future talent, schools and STEM related programmes.
Hosted by national journalist and campaigner, Charlie Charlton, 300 guests were taken through eight categories, with Vantec Europe having double success in the Digital Transformation and Outstanding Contribution categories, the latter of which went to its managing director, Martin Kendall. It has donated £4,000 to Washington Academy.
The awards celebrated future talent, inspirational leaders and forward-thinking businesses who are cementing their position within the automotive industry.
Paul Butler, chief executive of the NEAA, said: “This was a spectacular evening that shone a light on the amazing companies that make the automotive supply chain the dynamic, innovative and forward-looking sector that it is. More than that, it also reminded us in the most powerful way that, while technology plays an increasingly important role in all that we do, it is people that make our sector what it is.
“This was brought to life in remarkable style by the career journey outlined by Martin Kendall, managing director of Vantec Europe who won the Outstanding Contribution Award.
“Martin told us that he arrived in South Shields as a 17-yearold with £40 and an O Level in woodwork. He worked on the shopfloor at Nissan as a forklift driver and, eventually, became managing director of Vantec Europe, a preferred third party logistics provider, with 12 operations in the UK and a key customer base including automotive and premium vehicles. Quite a remarkable life journey that oozes resilience, perseverance, belief, humility and self-confidence.”
Martin Kendall, managing director, at Vantec Europe Limited said: “I was very surprised and humbled but delighted to receive the Outstanding Contribution Award. I have had an amazing career in the advanced manufacturing, automotive and logistics industry.
“For me, it’s always been about the people at Vantec Europe, at every level from the shop floor, our apprentices, through to senior management; making sure we can deliver what our partners require. Every single person is important, and I’m passionate about getting the right people with the right attitude into the sector; they are the ones going to make a difference in the future.”
Then, there was the inspiring work undertaken by the management team at Faltec Europe to develop a truly transformational people development programme that is setting the company up perfectly for future growth but, most of all, shows that it truly values and cares for its staff.
Bruce Mair, human resources and general affairs manager, at Faltec Europe, said: “We already had a very high retention rate, with the average length of service standing at 12.5 years. However, we wanted to be a better employer, to put real focus on the most important area of our business – our people. The senior management team was absolutely committed to taking our engagement with colleagues to a much higher level and be a stand-out, Tier 1, employer.
“The platform for this was consultation, every step of the way, with colleagues to establish core values – integrity, innovation, collaboration, respect and resilience – that we all signed up to and which guide every interaction we have with colleagues, suppliers, customers and wider stakeholders. We constantly review where we are and challenge whether our behaviours are in line with our values.
“We believe that getting better never stops and that we are on a journey of continuous improvement, in the knowledge that whilst there is still much to do we have transformed our business and our people.”
northeastautomotivealliance.com