BASA Showcase Success
F. Ball has been recognised for exceptional standards in adhesives manufacturing, as well as its commitment to addressing the skills gap within the flooring industry at the annual British Adhesives and Sealants Association (BASA) Showcase 2025. There was also acknowledgement for F. Ball apprentices making a big impact at the beginning of their careers.
The company won the Excellence in Training and Development trophy, recognising training programmes and initiatives that address skills or knowledge gap while having a positive impact on business performance and the development or recruitment and retention of staff.
This year, the company launched the ‘Floorsight™’ apprenticeship programme to tackle skills shortages in the wider flooring industry by providing pathways into flooring for young people in partnership with the Flooring Industry Training Association (FITA) and training provider WEBS, supported by the Contract Flooring Association (CFA).
F. Ball also provides inroads into manufacturing while addressing the UK’s skills gap in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) roles by creating apprenticeships across its engineering, technical services and safety, health, environment and quality (SHEQ) departments, as well as marketing, operations, and business administration.
In addition, the company was announced as runner up for the Manufacturer of the Year trophy, which recognises the BASA member that has demonstrated a sustained contribution to the UK economy, as well as a commitment to sustainable growth.
Meanwhile, apprentices Phoebe Cawley-Davies and Adam Hewson were both highly commended in the Apprentice of the Year category.
Phoebe joined F. Ball in October 2022 and is pursuing a Level 6 Environmental Practitioner Apprenticeship. She has played a key role in major projects, such as F. Ball’s pallet and bucket/bottle return schemes, and riverbank monitoring and sustainability workshops, while also implementing sustainability performance reports and driving carbon footprint monitoring activities. Her commitment extends to community engagement, presenting on STEM careers and apprenticeships at local schools.
Since joining F. Ball as an apprentice two years ago, aged 16, Adam has made significant contributions to enhancing production operations. He now leads a small team within the department, ensuring daily targets are met and proactively identifying opportunities for improvement. His role in collecting output and downtime data and facilitating continuous improvement forum meetings has directly enhanced the overall efficiency of operations. After completing his Operations Administrative Apprenticeship, he is now pursuing a Level 4 Process Leader Apprenticeship.
There were also shortlistings for the company in the Community Engagement and Sustainability Initiative categories.
Commenting on the success, F. Ball managing director Darren Kenyon said: “Addressing the skills gap is one of the biggest priorities facing the flooring industry, so we’re delighted to be acknowledged for our efforts to address this, along with our internal apprenticeship programme. Well done, also, to Phoebe and Adam for their well-deserved recognition for their contributions to the company so far.”
