Women in BUILD Awards 2016

Build 2016 Women in Build Awards 6 arshalls believes that the better the environment that people are in, the better they as a company can be, and they strive to create products that improve landscapes and create happier and healthier communities. Donna Garside’s role at Marshalls involves managing the Technical Advisory team, which consists of 18 members of staff, who advise colleagues and customers throughout a project’s lifespan. The Technical and Advisory Services Department is acknowledged as being one of the best in the industry. From concept to completion, they offer design advice, technical support and on-site involvement throughout a project’s development. The department is unique, answering enquiries from the full spectrum of Marshalls’ customer base, and across its extensive product range. In addition to its advisory function, the department investigates and resolves product quality issues transcending Company Divisions. The department is the central focus of complaint management for the Landscape Products Division. The logging, investigation, co-ordination and resolution of a wide range of site complaints are managed by the Advisory Team. Donna estimates that her team deals with 12,000 enquiries a month on average, with 85% of their work relating to specification advice and customer support. Marshalls have a keen eye for talent; hard work and a strong work ethic are the deciding factors when determining whether someone will thrive in the Marshalls environment. Working in a technical environment means the role is constantly changing, which is a challenge, as the roles are so diverse. Keeping abreast of industry standards, and up to date with new product information, means learning is ongoing, and vital in delivering exceptional service to customers. Donna believes that if these predominantly male industries are to thrive in years to come, it is imperative that they embrace a balanced and diverse culture. The genders bring very different qualities and traits to every project, which combined, make for far better end results and productivity. It is important that women aren’t put off by preconceived stereotypes of the construction industry; it is a thriving sector with many opportunities in varying business areas, from product development and marketing, to logistics and transport. Marshalls’ aim is to Create Better Spaces, and as a major plc, they are committed to quality in everything they do, including environmental and ethical best practice, and continue to improve health and safety performance for the benefit of its 2,000 strong work force. Their shared values of Leadership, Excellence, Trust and Sustainability underpin the company and are important to the continued success of the business. With everyone working towards a common goal and making decisions based on company values, Marshalls can achieve their objectives and thrive as a business. Recently launched by Marshalls is their Stone Standard, which gives customers full assurance that all stone they provide exceeds the base technical levels outlined in the British Standard for design and installation, BS 7533-Part 12. Not all sandstone available on the market today is fit for purpose, so it is important for customers to understand what makes a good quality stone. The Marshalls Stone Standard sets minimum base criteria to which all their sandstone performs; these attributes are the most important technical factors that must be considered before embarking on a project, such as frost resistance, flexural strength and water absorbency. Marshalls are fortunate to have a fully integrated CRM system, which allows teams to work seamlessly together, even though many colleagues work on different sites and sometimes overseas. They are also lucky, as unlike other businesses in this industry, Marshalls have their own in-house IT department who can offer assistance, alongside their own transport and operations teams. Being able to communicate via one medium is a huge help and really sets them apart from their competitors. In the future, Marshalls will look to continue to maintain their market leader status, a status that has only been attained through the hard work of their employees and their commitment to staying ahead of market trends. Investment in new product development, as well as the development of members of staff, ensure that they have the best products and the best team, who can offer unrivalled service to customers. Best Landscaping Products Business Leader - UK Marshalls is the UK’s leading hard landscaping manufacturer and has been supplying superior natural stone and innovative concrete products to the construction, home improvement and landscape markets since the 1890s. The Marshalls name has become synonymous with quality; supplying prestigious landmarks such as Trafalgar Square, whilst also caring for the environment and communities in which it operates. M