Since opening its doors in 2014, AkzoNobel in Ashington has created hundreds of new employment opportunities for local people in the North East.
Former colliery blacksmith, David Chapman, is one of several ex-miners now employed at AkzoNobel’s hi-tech, automated flagship paint plant in Ashington, a far cry from his days working long shifts and often underground.
David (54) spent more than eight years working at Ashington Colliery until its closure in 1986, a short distance away from the new facility which has been designed to be the most sustainable paint plant of its kind in the world. Now employed as a Process Operator, David is one of over 150 employees responsible for the high quality standards and presentation of products such as Cuprinol, Hammerite, Polycell, Armstead and Dulux in more than 33,000 different colours.
It’s his knowledge of hands-on teamwork, commitment, comradery and hard work during his time at the pit which he believes provided him with a ‘toolbox of experience’ to apply to his role at AkzoNobel.
He commented, “There was a real sense of unity amongst the miners at Ashington Colliery. It was a strong, vibrant community and despite the effect that its closure had on the people and the town, that comradery and sense of belonging never leaves you. You can sense it here amongst the staff at Ashington. Many of us have come from hard or labour-intensive manufacturing backgrounds and its that work ethic, drive and sense of pride that make the difference to any workforce.
“There was a real community spirit which existed during my pit days and that is one of the things which the plant, despite its high technology and fully automated systems, has encouraged and fully embraced. Everyone, no matter how diverse their background, pulls together as a team, learns from each other and supports one another and this is a great show of strength for the company and the region as a whole.”
Following the closure of Ashington Colliery, David worked at Alcan, a major producer of aluminium as well as Synpa Pharmaceuticals, a large pharmaceutical manufacturer, both situated in Northumberland.
But it has been the last two years that he has spent at AkzoNobel Ashington that has brought back reminders of the community spirit he was once part of as a miner.
He added, “I work with a great group of people and it is our responsibility to ensure that each tin of paint is of the same high standard as the last. Whether it’s the quality of our paints or presentation of the cans, no product leaves the site that we wouldn’t be prepared to pay for ourselves and that’s where good team work and integrity are essential.”