Congratulations go once more to Watts Truck and Van who’ve just been recognised as a Responsible Business Champion Cymru 2020 by Business in the Community.

For over 20 years Business in the Community’s Responsible Business Awards have showcased transformational stories of businesses taking real action to build thriving communities. Each year, the Awards celebrate those businesses demonstrating strong, inclusive leadership, who continuously innovate to tackle pressing social issues and repair and rebuild our planet.

The Watts Truck and Van initiatives have supported and helped many organisations in their local area and benefactors have included Ebbw Vale Wheelchair Rugby Club, the Kids Cancer Charity, the Wales Cheerleading Team, Cardiff Blues Community Rugby, Penygraig Regeneration and Give & Gain Day.

Supporting Mental Health

Another key area that Watt’s Truck and Van have drawn attention to in their efforts and a topic that affects everyone, is men’s mental health, particularly in the haulage industry. The team undertook a joint venture with their customer, Ferryman Transport to help raise awareness of this incredibly important subject. Getting men talking about their mental health is a very relevant topic at the moment and looking after mental health is always a focus for the Watts teams.

‘Good mental health in the workplace for both men and women is an essential part of ensuring the overall health and safety of a workforce and it’s shocking that in the haulage industry as a whole there is an above average suicide rate which needed highlighting.’ said Simon Griffin, Director Watts Truck and Van.

Truck and Van have not only supported those in the community with this joint venture but have also turned their focus closer to home, looking after their own staff by ensuring all of the Watts’ Truck and Van senior managers have received formal Mental Health First Aid training from St John’s. 

‘Working alongside the communities we sit alongside and pulling focus onto key areas like these is incredibly important to the Watts Group as a whole and as a family business it’s vital that we support and nurture those around us and those within our teams in any way that we can.’ added Simon.

John Thurston, Chairman of the Watts of Lydney Group, is keen to add his congratulations to everyone involved. 

‘As it is part of our family business, heritage and culture, I thoroughly endorse and support Watts’ active participation in these activities as a responsible business in Wales. Watts has supported many voluntary and charitable activities within the community. Involving employees in these activities increases their sense of empowerment and wellbeing as well as being part of a long-established family company. A consequence of this being that individual managers and employees have come together into an integrated team which has led to the company’s nationally recognised successes, including being DAF UK Dealer of the Year in 2019.’

The various UK category winners will be showcased at Business in the Community’s AGM on December 3rd when Sky TV’s Anna Jones will host the event which includes an interview with former US Secretary of State, Hilary Rodham Clinton, discussing how businesses and communities can work to build back responsibly from Covid-19.

This well deserved award is the latest that Watts Truck and Van add to their collection this year. Follow @wattstvccouk on social media to keep up to date with latest news and developments.