Scotch Whisky Project Overview

“It was a bit unique from a trade union perspective
approaching employers to ask them to join with the trade
union in looking at how they could help improve the
competitive performance of the industry”

Harry Donaldson, GMB

The GMB Union recognised globalisation had increased the competitive nature of the drinks industry. They believed the industry should be fully equipped to address improved competitive performance and efficiency in order for its prestigious whisky sector to continue to survive and prosper in this new environment.

With the in-principle support of the Industry’s lead body, the Scotch Whisky Association, the GMB commissioned WBS & Partners to deliver the project aims and together they sought to instigate a partnership project amongst some of the whisky sector’s leading companies with the aim to raise the competitive advantage of the sector as a whole.  The partners are convinced the relationship between partnership working and increased performance efficiency was the key contributor in maintaining UK employment across major players in the sector, thereby sustaining the sector’s supply chain

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They were also conscious the sector supports a range of communities - from fragile rural economies to industrialised areas in the central belt – with consequent diverse SMEs in a UK-wide supply chain.
To achieve the aim WBS intended to focus on the transfer of knowledge, skills, expertise and experience that would enable the companies to maximise the employees’ competencies and creative potential.

Essentially, the project sought to encourage and support an environment that nurtured employee involvement and participation, and would in turn lead to improved performance.

Videos

Click here to download or view the full report on the Scotch Whisky Project