We talk to Adam Benfield, one of our longstanding members of the Warehouse Team. Adam tells us how it is the friendly atmosphere and family connections at PFE that make it such a great place to work.
Number of years in the industry?
I’ve been with PFE for 17 years now, and it’s actually the only job I’ve ever had in this industry.
What’s your journey been getting to PFE?
Before joining PFE, I worked in retail straight out of school. I started on the shop floor, first at a footwear shop, then at a sports store. I worked my way up to supervisor at both, spending four years in each. After eight years in retail, I needed a change. I took a six-month break, then my sister, who also works at PFE, put in a word with the warehouse manager to say I was looking for a job. I got an interview, and here I am! I started by covering for a colleague on maternity leave, doing general admin and paperwork. It was supposed to be temporary, but when her situation changed, I was taken on full time. I’m still here today!
What does your role at PFE entail?
My role at PFE as Warehouse Administration Assistant involves preparing paperwork for both inbound and outbound goods into the warehouse. I ensure that I am well-informed about all incoming shipments, organising the necessary files and paperwork accordingly. Additionally, I communicate with customers to gather specifications for their orders, ensuring that everything is ready for the warehouse team upon arrival. When a truck arrives with a container, I am responsible for providing the necessary paperwork detailing the contents of the delivery, which could consist of one or multiple jobs. Once the goods are offloaded, I handle the paperwork for customs clearance and input the information into our system. I am also responsible for overseeing the preparation of goods for collection by ensuring that everything is correctly documented and cleared by customs.
Over the 17 years I’ve been with PFE, I’ve seen significant changes in workload volume. When I first started there was a much smaller team in the warehouse, and a lot less drivers because the volume of work didn’t require any more than that. The volumes overall are massive now, necessitating the expansion of our warehouse team to accommodate the company’s growth.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
What I enjoy most about my work is the sense of responsibility I have in my role and being in control of what I do. Working alongside the admin team, including Shelby and Bailey (who helps out a couple of days a week), is great—we work really well together. Knowing that I’m trusted to do my job well makes me proud, and I appreciate having the support of the managers whenever I need it. After being here for 17 years, it’s clear how much I enjoy working at PFE. The friendly atmosphere is a big part of it; despite the inevitable challenges, everyone is always willing to lend a hand.
Additionally, the family connections within the company, like having my sister working here and Bailey, who is Kerry’s son, add to the sense of community. These family ties only serve to strengthen the company as we welcome the next generation into the business.
What makes PFE different from the rest?
I think PFE has been successful because we’re really good at looking after our customers’ needs. One thing that sets us above other similar companies is our efficiency. We prioritise getting our customers’ goods in and out quickly—often on the same day or the following day—ensuring they receive their stock promptly. We don’t keep people waiting. Our dedication to accelerating shipments is something our customers truly value.
Also, the PFE team’s strong work ethic is evident across the board. You’ve got to work hard, haven’t you? When you’ve got customers to please.We’re all diligent and proactive, and any oversight is swiftly addressed. In the warehouse we pride ourselves on going the extra mile and exceeding expectations, whether it’s putting in extra hours or ensuring seamless handovers between shifts. The warehouse team are friendly and supportive of each other. Everyone more than pulls their weight to benefit customers.
What are three words that describe PFE?
EFFICIENT
FRIENDLY
HARDWORKING
Do you have any future ambitions for PFE?
I’m happy with my current position, but I do have aspirations to progress into a more senior role within PFE. After being with the company for so long, I feel confident in my understanding of the warehouse part of the business and what it entails. If the opportunity presents itself, I believe I could take on a supervisory role and contribute even more to the team. While I don’t expect immediate changes, I’m hopeful that there will be opportunities in the coming years.
How do you unwind outside of work?
I enjoy spending quality time with my 10-year-old daughter. She’s at that stage where she still enjoys doing things with me, although I know it won’t be long before she’d rather be with her friends. So, I’m making the most of this time while I’m still not too embarrassing! We often visit her cousins and my sister-in-law in Clacton, making the most of beach days and trips to the arcades. She loves going to the zoo, so we try to do that as often as possible too.
Who was your childhood hero and why?
My dad was important to me when I was growing up. He used to work as a lorry driver, so I mainly saw him on weekends because he was away a lot during the week. It’s funny how I ended up in a similar line of work. Having my sister already working at PFE and my dad being in a driving job made the transition easier for me. It felt more natural, knowing there was a connection to the industry. I was also close to my grandad, who lived nearby. We saw him often because he lived just across from us. He was a great grandad, and I have fond memories of spending time with him and my nan.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life what would it be?
If I had to choose one meal to eat for the rest of my life, it would definitely be pizza. I could have pizza anytime, any day. I prefer meaty toppings, like pepperoni, but nothing too spicy. I’m not great with spicy foods. Sometimes we treat ourselves to pizza delivery, but most of the time, I just get one from the supermarket. Another favourite food of mine is a gammon steak.If we go out for a family meal, that would be what I’d choose.
What’s your favourite movie?
When it comes to films, I’m a big fan of older stuff, especially from the eighties. Films like Back To The Future, Ghostbusters, and Indiana Jones, all that kind of era. If I had to choose a favourite, it would definitely be the Back To The Future trilogy. I’ve watched those movies countless times, and if I had to pick one, I’d say the second one is my favorite. Maybe it’s because I’ve seen it the most, but honestly, they’re all fantastic. I’ve even got them all on DVD.
