| 51 TRANSPORT Dodson Motorsport “At the end of the day, I like to say that what we actually manufacture is opportunities for our staff, and we simply do that by making car parts.” T T Richard Loader Staff key asset for parts manufacturer Dodson Motorsport manufactures high-end performance automotive transmission components for sale globally. North Shore based Dodson is in the business of manufacturing high-end performance automotive transmission components for sale in global markets. The business also runs a specialty workshop as an installer/dealer of its own parts focused on high-end sports cars in Auckland, and about half of the operations from its CNC plant, WGD Limited, supports other New Zealand based blue-chip exporters with the manufacture of high-precision components. Dodson’s main facility is in the Wairau Valley, with the CNC plant just ten minutes away in Rosedale. Sales and marketing teams are based in the United States and United Kingdom, where they can keep a closer pulse on the company’s main markets in North America and Europe, while driving the global image of the brand forward. CEO David Sweas says Dodson’s manufacturing and distribution operations work together like cogs in a wheel, with each part co-dependent on the other. “Precision products start with proprietary engineering. We’re selling precision components so our mechanical engineering team that designs and checks the parts and resolves field issues is the nucleus of the business. Our manufacturing team includes our CNC tradesmen, and the equipment operators based at our main facility, producing a variety of parts. “There are a range of skill levels and experience, from highly specialised tradesmen through to entry level operators that we train to run our specialised equipment.” The distribution team includes people who do final assembly on the parts, order / production plan the finished stock, pack and ship customer orders, and handle any customer feedback. “There’s a high economic multiplier for manufacturing businesses, with a lot of support staff and vendors,” says David. “This produces a range of careers including accounting, to IT, supply chain, customer service and support, and local couriering. “A lot of our people have come up through the business, starting at entry level and grown with the business into larger roles. We’ve expanded from seventeen to around fifty staff over the past three to four years, and this has provided a lot of opportunity for growth.” While developing existing staff has been important to Dodson, the company has also ensured new people with the right experience and ‘culture fit’ are brought into the business, to grow internal capabilities. “In general, working for a manufacturing exporter provides opportunities to be a part of a global brand interacting with customers around the world. That provides a lot of opportunities for growth, development, and career mobility given the dynamic working environment, diversity of challenges that arise, and the wide range of disciplines covered by roles within the organisation. “We realize that our people are our key asset, and we invest in them the same way that you might invest in equipment.” Soft training around working in a team, advanced Health & Safety training, management training and upskilling, 5S / Lean Manufacturing training, all facilitated by external vendors, are key examples of Dodson’s investment in its people. “Since the borders reopened, Dodson has also sent key staff on trips overseas to both vendors and customers. “We want our workplace to have a ‘family owned’ feel, while staff get the ‘corporate’ outcome around professionalism and training. Walking that line is what keeps us nimble as a business yet competitive with big brands in the labour market. “It’s part of our approach for keeping staff turnover low and maintaining a great working environment as we expand. At the end of the day, I like to say that what we actually manufacture is opportunities for our staff, and we simply do that by making car parts. “When there’s deadlines to meet or things get a bit stressful, it’s important to stay real about what we’re all actually trying to achieve here.” Contact Paul or Kieran 09 443 6003 email: info@dgelectrical.co.nz www.dgelectrical.co.nz
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