About Stateside Foods Ltd

Stateside Foods has a strong record of developing its people and identifying high potential employees for further progression. The company work to an internal recruitment target of 80% and many of their senior team have progressed through the Company from entry level roles. Many managers are often promoted for their technical ability and it is important to ensure that Stateside Food’s managers are supported with training in management skills, to ensure that they are equipped to succeed in a management role. To achieve this, all managers participate in a Leadership Development program, externally accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management. Between each module, delegates are required to apply their learning within their departments and take opportunities to develop their new skills. The most effective aspect of the course is the modules 5 workshop; during which participants are given the opportunity to role play some key management conversations supported by the Directors, who attend to play the role of the 'employee'. The event is conducted in a light hearted manner but managers always ensure that they prepare thoroughly for this module, so that they are able to practice their new skills effectively. Feedback has been extremely positive from all participants to date.

Employees at Stateside Foods are given time away from their day to day duties during working hours to become involved in community projects that benefit the local area. Most recently, employees organised and participated in a community litter pick of their industrial estate and local town centre. The pick was so successful that employees could be seen clearing litter from the main roads after reaching their original goal of clearing the estate. The company’s next project is to tackle vandalism that has recently occurred at Westhoughton train station. Employees will be given the opportunity to get involved by tidying up the area and planting new flowers to improve the station environment for both Stateside Foods employees and local commuters. Stateside Foods also has a strong relationship with Westhoughton High School. They recently sponsored pupils to attend a Food Science summer school at Nottingham University, giving them experience of living away from home and studying in a university environment. Stateside Foods aim is to promote manufacturing as a career option in the local area and attract pupils to consider the many career options available to them on their doorstep. They have careers boards positioned at the school with staff profiles and they will be hosting a food science visit in November to show pupils their facilities and introduce them to their graduates that have chosen food science as a career path. The company also provide pizzas for sensory work to the food science department.

To recognise the hard work of Stateside Foods workforce, the company holds a Family Fun Day for all employees and their extended families each year. The day is held at Bolton Arena, a local sports facility and employees are treated to fun activities and a BBQ lunch free of charge. The event is well attended year on year and the feedback is always excellent with employees really appreciating the opportunity to meet with their colleagues' families and socialise. The event is great for young children, as the company provides lots of entertainment such as a climbing wall, inflatable activities, football shoot-outs and face-painting. The workforce are always keen to hear about the dates for the next fun day and planning and preparation for next year's event will begin soon! Stateside Foods also recently rewarded their Employees of the Month with an all-expenses paid trip to London to see Lee Evans at the O2. The Employees of the Month were able to take their partners away to this event to celebrate their hard work and commitment to the Stateside Foods behaviours.