a legend among us

Jack Watson’s lasting impression

With a stellar career spanning more than five decades, Jack Watson is a true timber legend.

Recently announcing his retirement from the industry, Jack is heading home for a well deserved rest at his beloved Mt Crosby Farm.

A valued contributor to the Kennedy’s family for the past nine years, Jack provided our staff with regular onsite chainsaw training.

Jack’s infectious passion for timber and incredible knowledge base has left a lasting impression within the walls of Kennedy’s. Whilst his addiction to all things sweet and bad jokes will also be greatly missed.

So here’s to you Jack!

The team at Kennedy’s wish you all the very best in your retirement... a new chapter begins!

aiding our staff is first and foremost

Providing a first class production facility for our staff, complete with acute safety practices and procedures, is fundamental to the core values of Kennedy’s.

With the appointment of new Safety Representative, Kerry Lucas, Kennedy’s continues to honour this pledge.

Kerry’s role involves risk assessment, prevention planning and the demonstration of positive, safe work practices within his area of production.

In addition to this appointment, two staff recently upgraded their first aid skills attending a senior level Timber and Building Materials Association (TABMA) course.

Presented at Timber House, Ben Lucy (Leading Hand) and Grant Cropp (Kiln Manager) participated in the accredited training and assessment.

Ensuring our staff perform their roles within the safest possible environment is a promise Kennedy’s endeavours to deliver each and every day.

Kennedy’s Core Values:

• SAFETY! SAFETY! SAFETY!
• Respecting family commitments
• Listening respectfully
• Seeking continuous improvement
• Working as trusted, organised and winning teams

the real stars of our company

Congratulations Judy Charlie, expert Grader at Kennedy’s, who was presented with Employee of the Year at the recent Moreton Bay Central Commerce 2009 Awards of Excellence.

Nominated by her peers, Judy was recognised by the local business community for her positive attitude, attention to detail and for the support she offers her fellow team members.

With the ability to identify species, grade and check required profiles, Judy is a tremendous asset to the Kennedy’s production unit.  

“It’s a pleasure having Judy as a valuable member of our production team. We are all so proud of her achievement,” said Michael Kennedy, General Manager.

a staff wide commitment to minimising waste

Kennedy’s recently implemented a Five S Program, further demonstrating our dedication to staff safety, efficient production and the local environment.

• Sorting: Keep what is necessary and discard of waste responsibly
• Systematic organisation: Clearly label storage areas
• Shine: Perform programmed cleaning and schedule inspection and maintenance for all equipment
• Standardise: Document good work practices
• Sustain: Provide feedback, highlighting positive results and improvement where necessary

Our Five S Program is based upon the widely recognised eco pledge of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Educate.

Kennedy’s staff are proud to honour the Five S Program, ensuring safe and effective work practices result in a positive outcome for all; clients, colleagues and the environment.

A Long Weekend... Every Weekend

With a steadfast commitment to site safety and family values, Kennedy’s production staff now enjoy working a four day week.

A recent initiative, this Monday to Thursday policy has been widely embraced, resulting in increased production and efficiency.

Kennedy’s production team, much like a large family themselves, benefit from the extra time provided for family and personal commitments, offering the ideal work/life balance.

As one production staff member commented “a long weekend, every weekend... it rocks.”

Chaplaincy Scores

Tim Mander, a former professional rugby league referee who has officiated more than 300 first grade games, was the guest speaker at the recent Pine Rivers Chaplaincy Support Breakfast.

Organised by the Moreton Bay Regional Council, over 250 guests were in attendance at the charity event including an enthusiastic table of Kennedy’s staff and guests.

Kennedy’s is proud to support Scripture Union Queensland’s school chaplaincy program; a vital service providing positive role models and essential activities to many of our local primary and secondary students.

ps We think Tim did a stellar job as video referee during the first match of the State of Origin series...GO QUEENSLAND!

Kennedy’s employees regularly undergo formal training across varying aspects of our business.  Recent sessions included; fire safety, manual handling techniques, safe working practices, strap and pack timbers and forklift operations.

A combination of on the job and high quality third party training ensures all Kennedy’s employees are up to date with important safety and general work practices within our business.

Our latest training session saw staff proudly reaffirm their commitment to our core values. Facilitated by a trained professional, staff members were also encouraged to set personal and business goals with the plan to benchmark one another as the year progresses.

In addition to these regular and ongoing professional development opportunities, four of Kennedy’s team members are presently undertaking accredited timber studies.

Sean Halligan and Calvin Wallace are completing a FITEC Certificate 2 in Timber Manufacturing.

Kevin Faucher and Jeremy Fischer (pictured above left with Michael Kennedy) recently commenced their four year apprenticeship in Wood Machining.

All Kennedy’s apprentices and trainees are now vying for the prestigious TABMA Trainee of the Year Award.

Providing our valued staff with professional development opportunities throughout the year is key to our success as a team, and a company

Like many Australians, the Kennedy’s family were deeply shocked and saddened by the recent Victorian Bushfires on Black Saturday. In support of our fellow Australians affected by this tragedy, Kennedy’s staff, customers and suppliers all pitched in raising an incredible $17,846.40 in donations for the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal.

Pictured above - Greg Gillies, Judy Charlie, Michael Kennedy, Leonard Tawhi-Amopiu and The Culture Doctor himself, Dr Tony Watt, rallying support to assist those affected by the Victorian bushfire tragedy.

On board with Kennedy’s

As suppliers of the best environmentally friendly hardwood timber in Australia, Kennedy’s reputation continues to grow from strength-to-strength.

With increased interest from all across our sunburnt country for our ever expanding range of timbers, it is with pleasure we welcome into our ranks some new team members, adding to our already experienced and valued team.

Kennedy’s welcomes

Anthony Bruckner – phone in hand, computer screen ready and odds are he will give you excellent customer service and a great deal - call now 1300 788 884

Production Manager Vincent Cini with machine operators Luke Hillegers and Ben Lucy either agreeing on the production plan for the day or telling yet another really bad joke!!

Kerry Lucas and Grant Cropp - can we dry it yes we can and we can also make the perfect strawberries and cream pavlova

New production employees Nathan Kohu, Ronald Calvert and Leon Carolan are willing and able to put their hand to the many tasks in our production facility 

Dual awards recognise team efforts at Kennedy’s

Kennedy’s have recently been honoured with the 2008 Moreton Bay Central Commerce Awards of Excellence for Green Business of the Year. This award recognises the carbon positive environmental footprint Kennedy’s operations have on our precious EARTH.

Kennedy’s have recently been honoured with the 2008 Moreton Bay Central Commerce Awards of Excellence for Green Business of the Year. This award recognises the carbon positive environmental footprint Kennedy’s operations have on our precious EARTH

Kennedy’s has also been nominated for the 2008 Queensland Workplace Health and Safety Workplace Awards in the category of Best Workplace Health and Safety Management System.

A well deserved and wonderful result!

- we all share in these successes.

Additionally, in August 2008 State Government Workplace Health and Safety representatives visited our Narangba site to carry out an inspection audit of the new production facility and our safety systems and processes.

We are pleased to report the Queensland Government officers gave Kennedy’s a big tick for “the best safety site and systems they had seen in more than two years”.

Thank you to all our team for your continued efforts in ensuring we always keep Safety, Safety, Safety as our most important value.

Over the last six months all Kennedy’s team members have been given the opportunity to provide input into developing the values they believe are important for our business.

We wanted to make Kennedy’s an even better place to work whilst continuing to improve the services that we provide to our clients.

Our experienced advisor Tony Watt guided us through a series of workshops to understand the values important for both our employees and our clients. Unlocking the rich pool of talent within our people has been an enlightening and wonderful experience for all at Kennedy’s. Consequently we have all agreed the following six values are Our Way.

1.            SAFETY! SAFETY! SAFETY!  

The safety of our people, contractors, suppliers and products for our clients is our most important value.

2.         Respecting Family Commitments.

As a family friendly company we understand and respect the importance of the family unit as each of our valued people’s first priority.

3.         Listening Respectfully. 

Throughout our business the willingness to listen carefully and with respect at all levels is fundamental. 

4.         Seeking Continuous Improvement.

We are always on the lookout for better ways to do things in our business.  Across everything we do, each employee asks “can we do it better for our clients?” 

5.         Working as Trusted, Organized and Winning Teams.

We have a number of specialised teams all committed to being the best they can be in satisfying the needs of our clients.

6.         Showing Thanks. 

Every member of the Kennedy’s team is encouraged to both give and accept thanks and never take things for granted.