When N+P Group acquired the Crayford business in January 2022, Adil smoothly transitioned to N+P Group. "As Head of UK Operations, I assumed responsibility for the sorting facility in Crayford and the Subcoal production facility in Teesside. A crucial aspect of my role is developing the operations in Subcoal production. The non-recyclable portion, representing approximately 13% of the materials at the Crayford location, holds value as feedstock for Subcoal facilities within N+P Group. This approach enabled us to achieve an exceptionally high recovery rate and effectively divert all waste from landfills at Crayford," explains Adil.
Remarkable achievements
N+P Group extracts 18 recyclable materials from various sources at the sorting facility in Crayford. “We take pride in having the largest sorting plant not only in the United Kingdom but also in all of Europe. With a capacity to sort approximately 350,000 tons per year, we efficiently process the non-sortable portion into fuels, resulting in a high recycling rate. It comes as no surprise that we are authorized to handle waste from 26 local authorities”, tells Adil proudly.
Also N+P Group strives to collaborate with waste companies and local authorities to establish long-term partnerships and ensure sustainable input streams, Adil explains. “Our commitment leads to a significant reduction in landfill waste, promotes the circular economy, and contributes to the reduction of CO² emissions. Furthermore, our Waste to Value approach provides a partial solution to the energy crisis”.
It is noteworthy that recycling one ton of paper can save up to six trees, which serves as a compelling illustration. Adil is deeply concerned about the environmental impact and finds motivation in contributing further to recycling initiatives. Adil expresses, "We should strive for the best possible outcomes." Additionally, the Subcoal project perfectly embodies this commitment. Adil adds, "The residual waste that cannot be recycled is directed to our Subcoal facilities”.
Day to day sorting challenges
Adil currently splits his time between the Crayford sorting facility, the Teesside production location, and the newly acquired asset: Hartlepool MRF. This, in itself, presents a challenge. The recovery/recycling process poses several challenges, primarily revolving around the quality of materials received on-site. “It is crucial to understand the composition and quality of the materials and establish a connection between the input material quality and the setup and management of the plant. Plant management and experience of these types of operations plays a vital role in ensuring a highly reliable operation that consistently produces top-quality output for our customers”, something Adil is working on every day.
N+P Group continues to grow with committed people
"The Crayford MRF, which is the largest recycling facility in Europe, currently manages around 337 thousand tonnes of input material. Over the past four years, this figure has seen a consistent increase, along with the commercial performance of the facility. As this growth trend continues, we recognize the significance of attracting and retaining the right individuals", Adil acknowledges that the company genuinely values its employees. He shares this similar mindset. That is why he thinks this factor is crucial contributing to the overall success of the growing company. “I appreciate the experience of the team at Crayford, Teesside and Hartlepool. I believe that the remarkable growth of these sites is largely due to the commitment of its people and the company culture”.
Operational excellence
But also operational excellence is a crucial factor for N+P Group's growth and production success according Adil. “A significant aspect of this is our people, structure and having appropriate management systems such as plant performance maintenance and continuous improvement plans, which ensures increased plant reliability, effectiveness and improvement in of operational capability. These control enabled the business to not only produce a greater volume of materials, maintaining quality standards but also maintain consistent improvement in production levels”.
"I have visited numerous material recycling facilities, and I can confidently say that N+P Crayford MRF produces top-quality recyclate materials. Our cardboard and plastic materials also meet exceptionally high standards. This is partly due to our meticulous inspection of incoming materials and our rigorous quality checks at every stage of the process. The MRF strives to deliver materials of the highest quality to our valued customers," proudly declares Adil.
Safety should never be taken lightly
Adil explains that Crayford employs a safety board to track and display the safety observations raised by the staff and the corresponding actions taken by management to address them. "This is crucial to prevent people from feeling discouraged. As management, we always stay attentive to their concerns and provide support. This is how our safety culture continues to improve every day", explains Adil who perceives the safety culture within N+P as a behavioral approach.
He emphasizes that recognizing the contributions of individuals is the starting point for everything. “In terms of safety-critical activities, Crayford has implemented a comprehensive system of safe work practices. The roles, responsibilities, and organizational structure in Crayford are designed to promote a sense of ownership among employees”, tells Adil. “This safety culture is clearly evident when visiting the site, as staff members actively challenge unsafe conditions or behaviors”. Adil is highly satisfied with the health and safety performance of Crayford, emphasizing the importance of always maintaining a focus on a strong safety culture. "Safety should never be taken lightly; it should always be at the forefront of our minds”.
Therefore every shift at Crayford begins with health and safety meetings, ensuring that every person on-site is included. “These meetings provide updates on the current safety status, including any ongoing safety observations and the actions taken to address them. This is now a UK wide standard at each operating site in the UK”, explains Adil. “I actively interact with all stakeholders involved in the operational assets, employing visual management systems and direct communication to foster trust and facilitate the open expression of any concerns they may have, which can then be brought forward to the management”.
Investing in our people
When N+P Group acquired the Crayford business in January 2022, Adil smoothly transitioned to N+P Group. "As Head of UK Operations, I assumed responsibility for the sorting facility in Crayford and the Subcoal production facility in Teesside. A crucial aspect of my role is developing the operations in Subcoal production. The non-recyclable portion, representing approximately 13% of the materials at the Crayford location, holds value as feedstock for Subcoal facilities within N+P Group. This approach enabled us to achieve an exceptionally high recovery rate and effectively divert all waste from landfills at Crayford," explains Adil.
Ensure everyone returns home safely to their families
Adil has witnessed the remarkable growth of the site, but what matters most to him is the happiness of his colleagues. Adil wants to see them genuinely enjoy coming to work, and he despises seeing anyone miserable. If Adil notices a colleague in such a state, he takes it upon himself to engage in a conversation with them, offering his help and support.
Taking on the responsibility to instill discipline in individuals is something that Adil regards highly, but he also firmly believes in the power of inspiration and fostering understanding. “It's not about dictating, imposing, or resorting to shouting. The key is to make people believe and comprehend”. Ultimately, Adil's main priority is ensuring that every person returns home safely to their families. That, to him, is the utmost importance.
Philosophy of the N+P leadership team
Adil tells he appreciates the philosophy of the N+P leadership team that guides the business, aiming to establish themselves as the leading production site in terms of health, safety, and maintenance. Additionally, he admires the philosophy of respecting others, which he sees as a core value within N+P Group. "Regardless of their position, individuals at N+P Group are treated with respect. This value is upheld even by the most senior leaders, and there is always open access for communication". This is why he finds great satisfaction in being involved with N+P Group, he explains.
And it's not without reason that Adil expresses this sentiment, as he has personally experienced it. Last year, his father fell ill during the most critical period at TSP. Despite the demanding circumstances at work, Adil had to prioritize taking care of his father. During this time, there were daily calls with Karel Jennissen (the CEO) and other top leaders who asked, "Are you okay? Do you need assistance? Personal support?" For me, this is more significant than anything else. I will never forget that. "Karel doesn't have to tell me to go above and beyond because he has proven himself to me. Additionally, other members of the board and management frequently reached out to me during this period", Adil shares.
"So yes, we are making professional strides as a company, and that is necessary. However, there are certain values that we must never lose: helping one another, respecting each other, treating others with dignity, and working as a team. If we continue to collaborate cohesively, I believe we can achieve great things", Adil concludes.
How Adil sees the future
He envisions growing together with N+P and expresses his enthusiasm for being part of the company's journey. Adil believes that the future of N+P holds great promise, evident in their investments in production sites and their ambition to become the industry's best in terms of production plants. From what Adil has observed, N+P is making progress towards achieving this goal, albeit it takes time. He highlights the continuous expansion of the company and, most importantly, their significant contributions in recycling and alternative fuels, which makes the journey even more thrilling to be a part of. Adil is committed to doing his best and continuously learning every day to contribute to the future of N+P.
