Name: Mike Turner

Job title: Non-Ferrous supervisor

Time spent in recycling: 30 years

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What does your job involve?

My job involves the checking of loads, setting the work schedules of the staff in the yard, and loading and unloading vehicles.

What is the hardest part of your job?

As part of my job I need to make sure the three balers are running and that can be a challenge. I also need to keep track of the staff.

What three things help you to do your job better?

I think that the three attributes you need are good communication, support from management and having an experienced team around you.

What are you most proud of in your career?

Being part of the team for 30 years.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

To be honest and truthful.

Quick fire round:

• Sausages or bacon?    Sausages
• Football or rugby?        Football
• Cats or dogs?               Dogs
• Town or country?          Country
• Apple or Android?         Android
• Beer or wine?               Beer

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Name: Andrew Balfe

Job title: Crane Driver

Time spent in recycling: 5 years

What does your job involve?

My job involves the loading of wagons, the unloading of trains and sorting through piles of scrap.  

What is the hardest part of your job?

I don’t like to let other people down.

What three things help you to do your job better?

The three things that make my job easier are being given clear instructions, working together with my colleagues as a team and having the right equipment for the job.

What are you most proud of in your career?

I am most of proud of learning how to drive the machines.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

Don’t let the job get to you.

What one thing would we never guess about you?

I don’t like football.

Quick fire round:

• Sausages or bacon?    Both
• Football or rugby?        Neither
• Cats or dogs?               Neither
• Town or country?          Town
• Apple or Android?         Apple
• Beer or wine?               Beer

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Name: Philip Hoare

Job title: Manager

Time spent in recycling: 31 years

What does your job involve?

My job is helping the managers and staff in the yard to improve.

What is the hardest part of your job?

I find having to give constructive feedback a challenge. I explain why and try not to be critical.

What three things help you to do your job better?

Three important things in the running of a yard are training, experience and making time for people.

What are you most proud of in your career?

I’m proud of everything I have done. My management have invested in me and trusted me to get on with my job.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

Use people to their strengths and give them support in the areas they are weaker.

What one thing would we never guess about you?

I like opera and I love history. (Editor – we bet you know a fair bit about the history of the industry being 31 years in the job!)

Quick fire round:

• Sausages or bacon?    Bacon
• Football or rugby?        Football
• Cats or dogs?               Dogs
• Town or country?          Country
• Apple or Android?         Android
• Beer or wine?               G&T

Have you got people in your yard who have been in the metals recycling industry more than 31 years? Get in touch to feature them in Life on the Yard.