To mark International Women’s Day on Saturday 8 March, let’s take a look behind the scenes and recognise the contribution of the women at Aylesbury Box Company.
Women Under-represented in UK Manufacturing
Across the UK manufacturing sector, women make up just 26.1% of the workforce*. In the 35-64 age group, this is even lower, at 19.1%. In an industry with skill shortages, it seems like a missed opportunity. However, there are initiatives to build interest and opportunities in production, most notably Women in Manufacturing (WiM UK). They aim to increase the percentage to 35% by 2035.
Meet the Women at Aylesbury Box
Fortunately, the team at Aylesbury Box Company includes many long-standing female team members who play a critical role in our operations. It’s time to meet the team:
Customer Service
Jo – We place a high importance on customer service and Jo is someone who has spoken to nearly all of our customers. A significant part of her role is processing and confirming orders and delivery times, so she is up to speed with what’s happening in the factory. She keeps everyone informed. Jo has been part of the team since 2018.
Jan – Another member of the customer service team is Jan. She is curious about how things work and creative with solutions. As such, Jan is a natural problem solver and cardboard packaging engineer. She is involved in packaging design, especially when customers need a box for complex parts. Jan has been part of the team for 4 years.
Finance
Nicky – Nicky has a head for figures and is our trusted bookkeeper. She ensures all the team and suppliers are paid on time. She manages Sage, bank reconciliation and everything else that ensures our accounts are up to date. Nicky joined our team in 2012.
Enid – We have another financial specialist, Enid, who works hard to keep our accounts current. She ensures that we have the information we need to choose the right time for actions such as investing in new machinery. Enid has recently clocked 18 years as a member of our team!
Account Manager
Helen – As an account manager, Helen is out visiting customers most days of the week. She’s very personable and has built a strong relationship with customers in the Aylesbury Vale area. It’s her mission to fully understand what needs to be packaged and suggest viable and cost-effective solutions. Helen joined the team two decades ago!
Manufacturing
Nadia – Nadia is the only woman directly involved in manufacturing. She’s an absolute asset to the factory team, working hard to process packaging orders. Nadia is competent in operating all the machinery and holds her own in a male-dominated environment. She’s been with us for 2 years.
Cleaning
Mandy & Terri – three years ago, Mandy and Terri joined us. We have to thank for keeping our offices clean and tidy. They come in at the end of each day and ensure we arrive to a pleasant working environment.
Freelance
Catherine – Catherine has worked for us on a freelance basis since 2017. She writes our weekly blogs and helps coordinate other marketing activities.
Women in the Workforce
Women have always been part of our workforce. When we first opened in 1887, we had a far smaller team, which included Helen and Joan. They both stayed at the company through to retirement and both knew every aspect of the business.
Our approach is to recruit people based on skills and attitude rather than gender. This has resulted in a balanced team with a fantastic range of skills. However, we receive very few applications from women for roles in our factory. I’m sure Nadia would like to see more women on the manufacturing side.
So, we’re curious. If you are looking for a manufacturing role and would be interested in working for a local packaging company, what would encourage you to apply? Equally, what barriers prevent you from sending your application? Send us your thoughts!
*https://engage.ifm.eng.cam.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/Women-in-Manufacturing-report-2024.pdf#
