JLR invests £5m in modernizing manufacturing workshops for workers

JLR has unveiled a £5m investment, a manufacturing workshop upgrade to benefit workers. The luxury car maker has launched a rollout of radios at its manufacturing facilities.

After two years of extensive research, testing and development, the radios were switched on at the Solihull factory in Birmingham last week. Working in any manufacturing environment can be challenging due to shift work, repetitive tasks, noise and strict health and safety regulations.

Research into music’s productivity and morale boost first began in the 1930s, and to date, many studies have shown a relationship between music and better mental health and workplace effectiveness. But the real driver for JLR was the voice of the workforce, who overwhelmingly expressed that music would help their mental wellbeing and create a happier work environment and culture.

READ MORE: Boots stores to close in 2024 – full list

READ MORE: A Coventry man has been banned from every Boots and M&S store in England and Wales

This was also reflected in JLR’s well-being survey last year, which provided valuable insights that helped improve the psychological and emotional health of its people.

Matt Walker – part of JLR’s production transformation team – said: “The concept of the JLR radio project started two years ago when we started a testing and research phase. We carried out a series of tests and trials to ensure that health and safety, quality and productivity remained a top priority.

“Over 90% of employees told us (in the trials) that morale was high, work was much more enjoyable and they saw an improvement in their well-being. In fact, there was also some evidence to show that quality and productivity increased during trials as well.

“So the radios were officially tuned at the company’s Solihull site a few weeks ago, and following a successful launch, JLR will see the radios commissioned at the company’s Halewood plant in Liverpool, with several other sites soon to follow.

Overall, more than 10,000 employees will soon be able to listen to the radio at JLR as they build the company’s luxury cars. In addition, a new inclusive range of luxury workwear has been launched for manufacturing colleagues.

The stylish new workwear comes in 300 options – including the hijab option, maternity wear, as well as temperature-regulating clothing. The launch of new luxury workwear for JLR colleagues was a key initiative to transform the culture and create a more modern and inclusive workplace experience, the company said.

To ensure that the workwear is truly inclusive, it was designed with colleagues across JLR to ensure that the people wearing the workwear had input into the design and feel. Before the launch, colleagues had the opportunity to try and choose from the best and most comfortable models.

Kim Panton, Clothing Design Manager at JLR was one of the colleagues behind the workwear design, she said: “The inspiration for the workwear design came from our colleagues wanting workwear to reflect modern cars luxury they have. build. We spoke to hundreds of colleagues from different faiths, backgrounds and all abilities to ensure workwear options were designed with the diverse nature of our people in mind.”

JLR has worked hard to ensure that luxury and sustainability go hand in hand, carefully selecting materials that not only prioritize employee comfort and authenticity, but also reusability. The workwear features a combination of cotton with between 40% – 96% recycled polyester, depending on the garment, along with a softshell lining made from recycled material.

By reusing existing uniforms and removing names from new garments, they promote reuse and extend the life of each piece, promoting sustainability throughout the garment’s life cycle. The company has also worked closely with charities such as SATCOL (The Salvation Army Trading and Commerce Limited) which is the commercial arm of The Salvation Army and has supported them to raise money for charity by reusing our old work clothes .

The Red Cross and other local charities in Halewood have also benefited from JLR’s commitment to reusing old workwear. Part of the new workwear range includes offering a hijab for the first time – allowing those who want to celebrate their faith in the workplace and promote their sense of belonging at JLR.

Other benefits include temperature-regulating workwear that addresses skin sensitivity, maternity options and many more options that are available in over 300 sizes and styles for all colleagues.

Jen Deeming, Senior Analyst at JLR’s Powertrain Manufacturing Center said: “I really feel the company has invested in me with the new workwear range. The quality is amazing and I feel like they really involved women like me in the planning and design.

“The cut goes beyond just ‘small, medium or large’, making it feel more tailored for JLR’s growing number of women. Being comfortable at work is something we all take for granted, but it makes such a difference. to your work experience.”