What happened when Kemsley opened its doors?

Over 1300 people joined to celebrate Kemsley Mill opening its doors on 20th June 2015.

The Kemsley Open Day was set across two sites. Kemsley Mill hosted 50 site tours for guests throughout the day and 25 Fire Station tours for our younger visitors.  In addition, the local sports ground offered all kinds of activities for the whole family.  These included music, an area innovatively promoting Apprenticeships at Kemsley, information on the history and heritage of the site, children’s rides and activities, a fleet of large articulated lorries, a mini forklift truck obstacle course and a raffle offering over 50 high quality prizes to be won. We’re also delighted to report that the Open Day raised a staggering £10,800 for a local charity, The Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance. 

At Kemsley Mill itself, employees from across the Mill volunteered their services to run tours through the stock preparation plants showing guests the recovered fibre process and then a detailed visit through our PM6.  Visitors were also given a short visit to PM3 and PM4 followed by a coach drive around the perimeter of the site. Outstanding feedback on the tours included praise for the high housekeeping standards and staff’s pride in what they do. Similarly, younger guests were enthralled by the Fire tours and being given the ok to test out the hoses!  One very small guest, has even decided to change his career plans to become a fireman!

To all those who attended the event, the Kemsley Open Day seemed to effortlessly achieve its key goals of bringing people together, sharing information about the Mill and showing how this Mill is a great place to work at! The day achieved all of these things and more! A year in the planning, Kemsley Open Day was developed by great cross functional team work. Organised with engineering precision by employees who have pride in their mill, combining their strengths, skills and knowledge to create an event that Miles Roberts, DS Smith Chief Executive, and many of our Kemsley Mill employees described as an ‘Outstanding success’! Therefore, thanks must go to all those 108 volunteers who helped to make this day a huge success!