Exeter employer does Christmas differently

Around this festive time of year, many of us experience the same workplace traditions in the lead-up to Christmas – the constant influx of mince pies, and the often underwhelming roast dinners at the work party. Stovax & Gazco, a market-leading fireplace manufacturer based in Sowton, Exeter, is shaking up Christmas this year for all of its employees, doing something a little different this time.

Honing in on employee engagement, Stovax & Gazco has undergone a number of changes in the past year to enrich its staff’s job satisfaction and boost company morale. From hog roasts and summer barbeques, to increased holiday, flexi-time and improved staff communication, the company’s focus has been on not only providing its people with the right tools for success, but also a fun and rewarding environment that they look forward to day to day.

This year, Stovax & Gazco offered all staff the chance to take part in an exciting Christmas raffle held in their newly renovated Production Hub, with the incredible prizes projected across the wall. There were over 70 fantastic items up for grabs, ranging from iPads and FitBits to games consoles and flying lessons. All employees also received a box of chocolates to take home, and enjoyed a festive lunch provided by the company.

Matthew Johnson, Graphic Designer, said: “It was great to have something a bit different this year. I’ve been looking forward to the raffle for weeks! The mystery of who was going to win the top prizes really built up the suspense.”

With Stovax & Gazco being such a large company, employing over 330 people, having everyone under one roof at the same time gave staff the chance to mingle with people they might not see on a day-to-day basis, and also gave Alistair Compton, Managing Director, the opportunity to thank everyone for their hard work over the year. As the company is spread across various sites on the Sowton Industrial Estate, bridging the gap between departments and promoting team spirit wherever possible is a core interest.

Group HR Director, Caroline Carr, said: “Putting our people first is at the heart of our ethos here at Stovax & Gazco. We wanted to do something that brought excitement and chatter for a while to come!”