GLORY GUNNING FOR

Title-chasing team have sights set on Europe

On the rare occasion there’s a problem at one of our newest sites, Site Manager Peter Whittaker pauses and asks himself: “What would Mikel do?.”

Since moving to a new 73,000 sq ft home, our Sittingbourne team have powered through “a turbulent year” – caused by driver shortages – more easily than they might have done before.

Even the twin pressures of Peak, and colleagues returning home to the European mainland, couldn’t

That’s down to the sporting mindset of Peter, a lifelong Arsenal fan whose side are currently taking the Premier League by storm under boss Mikel Arteta. The Gunners season ticket holder, who watched every game in the team’s double-winning campaign managing a football team.

Get stuck in

knowing what makes every person tick in his happy and healthy squad is the secret to site success.

But unlike touchline terror Arteta, Peter insists he’s calm in the warehouse and more than happy to roll up his sleeves and get stuck in with the team when the going gets tough.

The football coach, who has led a string of Herne Bay FC age groups, says much of his management

“This is such an enjoyable place to work. I’ve been made welcome and part of the team from day one. Our ethos of Can Do, Right First Time, As One and Passion runs through all positions whatever the workload, peak or otherwise. I really appreciate and value the sense of camaraderie across all job roles at Sittingbourne and get the job done.” philosophy comes straight from the ethos of the beautiful game. “Building a great team is all about being aware of your people’s strengths and weaknesses, knowing if they need an arm round their shoulder or a word in their ear.

“It’s been a turbulent year since we moved for reasons organised, tidy operation, we’ve handled any curve balls.”

Key strengths

The extra space and improved facilities – lockers, toilets, team room and even a pool table – meant handling extra volume was easier as parcels could be located quicker because “if you could see it, you could deal with it”.

That was a lifesaver with around 65 routes and the huge jump in volume during the last Peak. Peter says: “The business moved fast to help us with resource by taking on some employee drivers and that has really helped. Despite the challenges, morale is good and I

“To stick with the football example, I know my team’s strengths in every area and that if the going gets tough they’ll all work for each other to get us through.”

Just like his beloved Arsenal, Peter is targeting Europe. “We’d been getting business from Germany, Holland and Spain in 2022 and that’s only seen a slight downturn. So as things improve we want to become more of a hub for imported parcels from mainland Europe.”