Thirty-two members and guests gathered at the Players Golf Club, Codrington, to hear Viv Russell, Operations Director with Tarmac, give a talk entitled 'Effective Quarry Management'.

He began by outlining what tools were needed to achieve it. He split them into three broad categories, namely operating systems, management infrastructure and the mindset and behaviour of those involved in the whole operation. Viv then took each category and split it into discrete elements. Using examples from Tarmac’s own operating systems, he explained how relatively simple spreadsheets and charts could highlight areas of concern, ranging from fuel usage of mobile plant to maintenance procedures. He stressed the importance of daily performance management to set goals and using as he put it, ‘the free brain’ of the operators by giving them the information they needed.

Viv then looked at management infrastructure, again breaking it down into a number of elements, using scorecards and traffic light systems for key areas like accounts. He explained the concept of family analysis, based on the idea that similar units should have similar costs per tonne. This could be used to improve poorer performing units. He emphasised the importance of root cause problem solving using the ‘five whys’. He talked about the management structure of an organisation and how it could send out confusing messages if it wasn’t right. He suggested the use of foundation workshops as a good way of showing people different ways of doing things within the business.

He concluded by talking about mindsets and behaviour. Again he broke it down into a number of elements and gave examples of how such things as performance appraisal forms, self-imposed site targets and assessment tools could empower the workforce. He emphasised that leadership sat above all of these elements and how a manager’s behaviour and actions set the standard for the site.

A comprehensive, wide ranging question and answer session followed, after which Andy Shakeshaft gave the vote of thanks to what was a thought provoking and excellent presentation by a very committed, knowledgeable and enthusiastic speaker.