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  1. Johnsons named runner up in Family Business Awards 2017

    Johnsons named runner up in Family Business Awards 2017

    Johnsons named runner up in Family Business Awards 2017

    Johnsons of Whixley’s status as one of the county’s leading family businesses has been further enhanced after being named Runner-Up for the Yorkshire region at the prestigious Family Business of the Year Awards earlier this month.

    Following a thorough application process, the Whixley-based plant nursery business, first established in 1921, was named on the final shortlist of 14 by organising body Family Business United, the magazine and resource centre that champions and celebrates the family business sector.

    The awards were held on Thursday 8 June at the luxurious May Fair Hotel in London, where Grimsby-based wholesale food exporter Ramsden International was awarded the top prize.
    Graham Richardson, managing director at Johnsons of Whixley, said: “We are incredibly proud to have made it so far in the competition, and were delighted to make the final shortlist, so to be named as overall runner-up is a huge achievement.

    “Across three generations, family values are at the heart of everything we deliver and it is pleasing that our long-standing commitment to these values has been rewarded in this way.
    “I’d like to congratulate Ramsden International on their worthy victory, and all of the other finalists for making the shortlist. We enjoyed a great night in wonderful company and left feeling immensely proud of all that we have achieved.”

    John Richardson, who will celebrate his 80th birthday in September, has been the chairman of the Johnsons Group since 1964 and still takes an active daily role in governance, strategy, quality and environmental systems, and health and safety.

    Two of John’s sons, Andrew and Iain, are joint managing directors, alongside sibling and group managing director, Graham.

    John’s grandchildren also take an active role. Luke is a senior key account manager, Robert is manager of the wholesale cash and carry unit, and Ellie is an office and administration supervisor, with a customer-facing role within the Xpress Cash and Carry division.

    A further two grandsons and a granddaughter also have sales and admin responsibilities.

    Posted 14th Jun 3:05pm
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  2. Johnsons of Whixley have invested more than £1,000 in drone technology

    Johnsons of Whixley have invested more than £1,000 in drone technology

    Johnsons of Whixley has invested more than £1,000 in drone technology as the company continues to drive innovation in the horticultural industry.

    The new airborne cameras will enable Johnsons staff members to remotely monitor stock levels across more than 200 acres of fragmented sites, as well as crop quality and irrigation levels.

    A dedicated team of staff members will be trained to operate the technology, which has a 3.5-mile range and can capture Ultra HD (4K) quality video.

    Established over 90 years ago, Johnsons of Whixley has a long history of technological innovation, and finding solutions to common industry problems. Many of the solutions implemented are bespoke to the business.

    Johnsons of Whixley group manging director, Graham Richardson, said: “There are a variety of envisaged uses for the new technology and we are excited about the possibilities around stock monitoring and management.

    “As a business we are always eager to find ways to boost our efficiency, streamline processes and embrace technology that can help us ultimately deliver a higher quality of product to our customers.

    “And by training staff members to use the technology we are aiding their continued professional development.”

    Posted 14th Jun 3:04pm
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  3. Johnsons of Whixley meet the staff - Laszlo Csanyi

    Johnsons of Whixley meet the staff - Laszlo Csanyi

    Meet our Potting Supervisor Laszlo – he’s been working at Johnsons of Whixley for four years, after moving to the UK from his hometown in Hungary.

    In his profile, Laszlo talks about what he enjoys about working at our nursery, what brought him to the UK and what he likes about living here.

    This is the first of a number of profiles from our staff who have moved to the UK after living in other European countries.

    Name: Laszlo Csanyi
    Age: 20
    Hometown : Baja, Hungary

    How long have been in the UK?
    Four Years

    What were your reasons for choosing to settle in the UK?
    My older brother and father came over to the UK in February 2014 to work. After they had being living in the UK for a while my mum, myself and my younger brother and sister moved over here. My parents sold everything back home to live and work here.

    Who did you come to the UK with?
    My family

    How did you come to work for Johnsons?
    I couldn’t carry on the studies I had done in Hungary so I got better with my English over the first 6 months here and an agency firm called Jark phoned me to ask if I wanted to work at Johnsons.

    What is your current role within the company?
    Potting supervisor

    What does a typical day for you at Johnsons consist of?
    I start off with a team brainstorm and plan the day, then I get my team together and talk through what needs to be done. We generally pot 5L & 10L plants.

    Has this been your only role at Johnsons? (promoted etc.)
    I have always worked on potting and learnt from my previous supervisor Brian who helped me with the knowledge I have now. I was then offered a full time contract and a promotion to be the Potting Supervisor in April 2016.

    What’s your favourite thing about working for the company?
    I enjoy what I do and enjoy a challenge. I get on well with everyone and have always had great support from the management.

    What’s your favourite thing about living in the UK?
    I enjoy the loud music in pubs and clubs and there are lots of choices here compared to in Hungary, such as more music.

    What are your ambitions, in work and in life?
    I would say it was a big step becoming a supervisor I am really happy with that as a first step.

    Posted 20th Jun 2:32pm
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  4. Johnsons of Whixley meet the staff - Gergo Kontos

    Johnsons of Whixley meet the staff - Gergo Kontos

    Johnsons of Whixley meet the staff – Gergo Kontos

    Name: Gergo Kontos

    Age: 27

    Hometown:
    Szolnok, Hungary. I now live in Leeds, but visit home once or twice a year to see my family.

    How long have been in the UK?
    I moved here when I was 24, so it’s been just over three years.

    What were your reasons for choosing to settle in the UK? I just felt like England had more to give.

    Who did you come to the UK with? I travelled over with a friend of mine.

    How did you come to work for Johnsons?
    The friend I travelled over with found me a job at Johnsons, at first through an agency, and I am now employed full-time by the company.

    What is your current role within the company?
    I am a senior nursery worker.

    What does a typical day for you at Johnsons consist of?
    I mostly work in the potting shed, but I sometimes drive the tractor, or the dumper, when helping to lift amenity orders.

    Has this been your only role at Johnsons?
    My job and the roles I carry out have varied over the last three years I have been here, and I am happy to work wherever I am needed.

    What’s your favourite thing about working for the company?
    The people that work here are friendly, and this has really helped make my time enjoyable.

    What’s your favourite thing about living in the UK?
    The football! I support Liverpool and enjoy watching the matches on TV. I also like that my girlfriend lives in the UK, and I love the fact that Slash from Guns N’ Roses is English. I love the band and I went to see them live in London two weeks ago.

    What are your ambitions, in work and in life?
    I would love to travel some more, and maybe live In Australia or New Zealand with my girlfriend, but I would come back to Johnsons if I ever returned to the UK. I may end up in Australia or New Zealand once we’ve saved up enough money.

    Posted 29th Jun 2:30pm
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