Our Karate Kid

You will be forgiven for thinking that most people who work within the composite cladding sector either a) have no lives outside of work b) if they do it will not involve excitement or c) as my colleague has just highlighted go to the extreme and performing extreme activities such as bungee jumping every second night of the week to bring some excitement back into their lives.

Carl Grant, our Transport and Logistics Manager leads a double life as the modern day assassin. Like Daniel Larusso, from the famous ‘hardcore’ karate movies, Carl has disciplined himself in the art of Goshinkwai Yawara which is a form of ju-jitsu and self defence. I somehow think Carl’s reasons for entering into the sport were slightly different from puney Larusso’s ‘to fight of the evil Cobra’s – hiiii-yaaaa’.

The style is simply a method of 'self defence' based on Goshinkwai Yawara principles and methods - It involves Atemi (Striking), kicks, grappling and footwork amongst others, with little of the locks and throws seen in many traditional arts. This version of martial arts involves no element of competition but may have perhaps involved several hours of painting his kind neighbor’s fence in return for a classic car for his 16th birthday.

So why on earth am I talking about this in our company blog. Well all will become clear now but to give you a slight idea – sponsorship!!! I also feel it is important for you (the customer) to get a sense of some of the individuals that you are dealing with within our company. I personally feel that it helps to create a welcoming and pleasant atmosphere to do business in. I know that I personally love a gossip with our creative agencies on a Monday morning and hearing about a star studded wedding they attended where they rubbed shoulders with the likes of Liz Hurley and Ralph Lauren. It also helps when I go to them needing something done in rapid time. We all know that work can be dull, boring or even monotonous at times so it is nice to have a bit of light relief even if it is talking to your supplier about what you got up to at the weekend.

Well Carl and his team displayed their art at the UK’s largest Martial Arts show “Seni 08” on the 26th and 27th of April at the Excel in London. Over the course of the 2 days, 20,000 people attended and we as a company sponsored him and his team so that they are able to attend and put on their martial arts show. This sponsorship allowed Carl and his team to reach a far bigger audience than they had ever managed to reach before and it proved hugely beneficial. As a sponsor, we had presence at the event with adverts, flyers and various other marketing materials being distributed on our behalf. As an employee of Eurobond, I can truthfully say that this is a company that is very keen to invest in their staff not only on a commercial level but where applicable on a personal one too. As a company they firmly believe that it is important that their staff feel happy and part of the team and it gives them great satisfaction to see staff achieve something outside of their work commitments.

The Total Body Defence Team were a huge success, performing four Displays as well as an hour workshop. This was the teams first ever exhibition and public demonatration of their unique system. Carl and his team won the top award at the event, ‘Best DVD of the Year’ and were hailed for the expert and professional display of their art. The DVD took 6 years from concept to completion and was the brainchild of Charlie Rawlins and Alun Williams. Well done guys! You should watch it, it’s awesome (http://www.totalbodydefence.com/).

Our very own Daniel Son is also a 3rd Dan in Goshinkwai yawara and has over 20 years experience in training and physical fitness. But his fitness credentials do not stop their, he has also had extensive experience of training his brother Dennis Grant (6 times Welsh schoolboy’s boxing champion and one time British) and one can only wonder what training methods this may have involved, perhaps the modern day equivalent to waxing a car – busting some moves on the Playstation dance mat. Well it is some form of cardio after all.

Although the aim of this blog was to highlight how Eurobond as a company invests in their staff, if anything it will hopefully have scared you into buying our products over our competitors. If not, we know where you work and will be sending round Carl and his fellow team members for a ‘chat’. Just in case you didn’t know, Mr Miyagi died on the 24th November 2005 at the ripe old age of 73 – at least he had 13 years use of his OAP bus pass.