Wet-stock management specialist Fairbanks has been awarded gold status for Investors in People (IIP). The company employs approximately 150 members of staff, most of them based at its headquarters in Skelmersdale, Lancashire.

Andrew Roberts, the company’s quality director, said: “We are all delighted with the IIP Gold Award as it is reflective of the opinions of our staff and indicates the improvements which have been made in our processes and support systems as the company continues to grow. Fairbanks is constantly looking to develop its staff, promoting internally wherever possible; further demonstrating its commitment to investing in its employees and ensuring their personal development, which not only stands to benefit the individual but the company as a whole and in turn also our customers.”

In order to achieve the Gold Award Fairbanks had to qualify in 126 competencies more than the standard requirement of 39 as set out by Investors in People who issue the award. With a target of 165 out of a possible 196 Fairbanks were able to provide evidence of 191 competencies ranging from ‘Business Strategies’  through to ‘Continuous Improvement’, highlighting the important work that Fairbanks does to improve its services through motivated employees who want to deliver a really high standard of work.

Receiving the Gold Standard puts Fairbanks into the top 2% of companies that have been accredited by IIP in the country, but attaining such a high score was not without its challenges, according to Roberts: “As a company we attempt to make sure that all employees are given the opportunity to share their thoughts on how we can keep improving and to be involved in the direction of the business. This isn’t easy with new challenges being faced every day, and keeping everyone happy all the time is always going to be tricky; but our staff are our key asset and we’ll continue to listen to, work with and engage them in order to keep moving forward.”