Company culture takes shape in the everyday - in the way teams work together, in how safety is managed and in whether people feel heard. Across CTB Group, that foundation is being strengthened through clear actions and consistent listening.
Recent health and safety campaigns, site improvements and employee feedback initiatives are all part of a wider commitment to create the best possible working environment. When people feel safe and supported, performance improves, as does the strength of the business.
This article shares some of the progress underway, including operational updates from across the group and the steps we’re taking in response to employee input.
Listening at Scale: What We Learned from 400+ Employees
Over 400 employees across 12 countries took part in our latest employee engagement survey. The results offer a clear view of how people are experiencing work across the business - what’s working well and where there’s scope to improve.
Team culture and local leadership stood out as consistent strengths. Respondents in China and the UK reported high levels of job satisfaction, alignment with company goals and trust in their managers. Across the group, many employees described their teams as collaborative, and their managers as approachable and supportive.
We also identified three opportunities for improvement: clearer recognition for people’s efforts, more consistent communication between teams and regions and greater transparency around career progression.
The survey also reinforced a wider truth - that people want to be part of shaping CTB’s future. Regular listening and open feedback remain essential to building the kind of culture our START values call for: one grounded in Safety, Teamwork, Accountability, Respect and Trust.
Acting on What We Heard
The findings of our survey have shaped a focused set of group-wide actions aimed at strengthening three priority areas: recognition, career development and internal communication.
Recognition is being approached both formally and informally. Site-level initiatives are being supported by clearer frameworks for acknowledging contributions across roles and functions, with a view to making appreciation more visible and consistent.
Work is also progressing on defining clearer career pathways by mapping out progression routes, strengthening learning opportunities and supporting leaders. One example of this is the 26 Steps to Management programme - a structured, Institute of Leadership-approved pathway now being used across the group. It’s already helping to build confidence and consistency, with more than one in five CTB leaders having completed a toolkit to date.
On communication, internal feedback has helped highlight where updates are landing well and where visibility could be improved. Teams are now reviewing how key information is shared - both within sites and across the group - to help ensure everyone stays informed and connected.
Health and Safety in Focus
Across CTB sites, health and safety remains a shared operational priority. Several recent campaigns have focused on reducing risk and reinforcing good practice at a local level.
At Beck Prosper, a targeted campaign on forklift and pedestrian safety has helped raise awareness of safe movement around shared areas. At Cooper Turner Distribution, process improvements have helped streamline workflows and reduce manual handling risks. Meanwhile, PPE usage and compliance have been reinforced across multiple locations through new signage, manager briefings and team discussions.
These activities support a broader effort to strengthen workplace standards and ensure teams have the tools, space and systems they need to work safely.
The Bigger Picture
A strong culture supports consistent, high-quality performance. When people are equipped to work safely, stay informed and feel supported by their teams, the whole business benefits - from day-to-day operations through to long-term outcomes.
Our values of dependability, adaptability and sustainability are reflected in how teams work, how priorities are set, and how improvements are delivered. They’re visible in local initiatives and group-wide actions alike.
This focus will continue over the months ahead, with more updates to follow as further actions are embedded across the business. To stay connected with progress across the group, sign up to receive our monthly Global Connections newsletter.
