Meet the Team: A Q&A with Lisa Turner, one of our Production Operators

Behind every Wolf product is a team of skilled people who care about doing things properly. For this team Q&A, we caught up with Lisa Turner, one of our Production Operators, to talk about early starts, busy days, Yorkshire Tea, family life and what makes Wolf such a friendly place to work.

• What time does your working day usually start?

I usually arrive at around 7.10am, ready to start at 7.15am. It’s an early start, but I like getting in, getting organised and cracking on with the day.

• What is the first thing you normally do when you arrive at work?

First things first, I change into my safety shoes. Then I head upstairs to the canteen and check that all the dishwashers are on. If they’re not, I’ll put them on and make sure the pots are ready for the first break and lunch. It’s really important that everyone gets their cup of tea on time!

• What are the main jobs you do during a typical day?

For most of my time at Wolf, I’ve been directly involved in the assembly of our portable lighting products, including handlamps, warning lights, batteries and chargers. I’ve also worked on potting, so I’ve been involved in plenty of different parts of production over the years.

These days, I’m more involved in boxing and preparing the boxes for our products, making sure everything is ready to go out looking right and protected properly. I still help out with assembly during busier periods too, especially when there are urgent orders that need to get out of the door. The busier the better for us all really.

• How long have you worked at Wolf?

It will be 17 years in July. I worked in factories before joining Wolf, but this place has been very different from anywhere else I’ve worked.

• Are some days of the week busier than others?

That’s difficult to say. It’s probably easier to say that we tend to be really busy at month end, when everybody is shouting for their orders at once! It can get very lively, but that’s when everyone pulls together and gets things done.

• What do you enjoy about working at Wolf?

I enjoy the people - even the managers! You’re not just a number here, you’re a person, and everybody cares. It’s very different to some places I’ve worked in the past. There’s such a nice atmosphere and it’s a good place to work.

There’s always plenty of banter too. It’s good to have a joke with the rest of the team, and the radio is usually on, so sometimes we’ll have a good singalong to our favourites. It all helps make the day go by nicely.

• Was there anything about the job that surprised you when you first started?

To be perfectly honest, when I first started, I didn’t think I would be stopping long. I thought I’d move on to something else. But I was really surprised. I liked the job, I liked the people, and here I am some 17 years later. I’m still here because I love Wolf.

• What do you like to do during your lunch break?

Eat, of course! I also like to chat with my friends and catch up on any messages I might have received on my phone during the morning. It’s a big change from when I first started, when we’d all be reading a newspaper.

• What is one thing that always makes the working day better?

Being busy makes the day better for me. I like having plenty to do and feeling like we’re making progress. A bit of sunshine helps too - when the sun’s shining, everybody feels good. Add in a cup of tea and a bit of laughter with the team, and that’s a good working day.

Then, guess what, Charlie left too and joined me here five years later. He’s been at Wolf for about 12 years now, and we’ve been together for 41 years.

• Is there anything colleagues might be surprised to know about you?

I used to make my own clothes. I had a sewing machine when I was just 13 and I made all sorts, including suits. I also love painting and decorating, so I’ve always enjoyed making things, whether that’s at work or at home.

• What does a good day look like?

A good day is a busy day, with everyone working well together and having a laugh along the way. When the sun is shining, the music is on and the team is in good spirits, that’s hard to beat.

• Tea or coffee?

Definitely tea - and definitely Yorkshire Tea. Milk, no sugar. Although I do have at least one coffee a day as well!

 

Thank you Lisa for sharing your story with us.