Serving domestic, commercial, and stockist customers throughout Ireland and Great Britain, AG operates under the brand AG Outside Rooms for the domestic market, with showrooms located across Northern Ireland. The company aims to enhance construction processes by making them better, faster, and safer for its customers. With a turnover of £30 million and over 200 employees across five Northern Ireland sites and operations throughout Great Britain, AG emphasises sustainability, customer care, integrity, innovation, and employee well-being as its core values.

What AG Paving + Building Products did

AG has made significant strides in promoting employee well-being and community engagement through its comprehensive Activ8 Health and Well-being programme. Launched in 2018 in collaboration with the Public Health Agency, Activ8 was shaped by employee feedback to address key areas of interest. The programme aims to improve overall health and well-being within AG, empower and educate staff to make positive lifestyle changes, and promote family values, ensuring well-being both during and outside of working hours. AG delivers cost-effective health promotion activities based on employee needs and raises awareness of health and well-being topics in the workplace. Additionally, the programme offers a range of employee benefits designed to enhance and  improve business results alongside improving wellbeing, enabling employees to achieve their full potential through training and continual development.

Activ8 includes various activities and benefits, such as a cycle-to-work scheme, complementary will-writing service, life assurance, a confidential Employee Assistance Programme, annual Occupational Health assessments, and a health cash plan. In 2023, AG made significant welfare improvements, upgrading canteen facilities, installing new kitchens, clean drinking water stations, vending machines, and improved restroom facilities with showers and free sanitary products for female employees. Picnic tables were also added across all sites to encourage employees to enjoy their breaks outdoors.

AG’s Activ8 programme emphasises social impact through staff volunteering and community projects. Employees participate in initiatives such as the BITC Time to Read Programme, Crom Estate Clean-up, Willowbridge School’s outside room space, and local charity events. A notable project in 2023 was “Ellie’s Retreat,” where AG provided paving and staff to create a tranquil area for bereaved families.

AG supports community development through local sponsorships, partnerships with businesses, and donations to local schools and sporting clubs. These efforts were recognised with the Contribution to the Community Award at the Fermanagh Herald Business Awards in 2023.

Continuous improvement is a cornerstone of the Activ8 programme. AG regularly reviews and enhances the programme through monthly evaluations and participation in the BITC Take 5 accreditation programme, achieving the highest accolade, the Level 3 award, in 2023. The company’s commitment to safety, health, and well-being is reflected in its accreditations to ISO45001, ISO9001, and ISO14001 standards.

Leadership plays a crucial role in the success of Activ8. AG’s leadership team actively promotes well-being, with directors participating in challenges to raise funds for charity and demonstrate the importance of a healthy work-life balance. The company’s initiatives in promoting men’s health, particularly in a male-dominated sector, have been impactful, with positive engagement and participation from male employees.

Key Impacts and Outcomes

• Achieved a workplace incident frequency rate 75% below the industry average
• High employee morale and engagement evidenced by positive feedback in annual surveys
• Increased female staff representation to 22%, above the industry average of 13%
• Overall absence rate reduced to 1.63% in 2023
• Raised over £30,000 for charities in partnership with Air Ambulance and Macmillan and supported numerous local community projects and initiatives
• Awarded Level 3 “Take 5” accreditation for the Activ8 programme
• Comprehensive health and well-being benefits for employees, including Occupational Health assessments, health cash plans, and Bupa Health Insurance
• Welfare improvements across all sites, enhancing employee comfort and satisfaction
• AG’s commitment to sustainability, community engagement, and employee well-being continues to drive its business success and positive impact on both its workforce and the broader community

What the Judges said

“AG Paving & Building Products engage, empower and educate their people, the way forward with wellbeing. We were impressed by the company’s clear vision and holistic approach. AG is inspired by peers, and the use of personal stories and experience encourages others to speak up and seek support.”