64 | Stresscrete Formstress employs a staff of more than 90, with a strong focus on industry and leadership training creating a clear pathway for aspiring employees to succeed. Stresscrete Formstress BUILDING Investing in staff a win for all T T Russell Fredric Change and long-term stability are both welcome partners for New Zealand’s largest and most experienced manufacturers of precast and prestressed concrete products. Stresscrete and Formstress, which both have long, proud histories, became a single entity in October last year to now be trading as Stresscrete Formstress. General manager Greg Johnston says a key part of the company’s history is its considerable commitment to training which includes the support of industry organisation BCITO, and creating a supportive culture in which it aims to make every staff member feel valued and to have a voice. This ethos and culture has kept Greg loyal to the company for 20 years. “Family-based companies are they best thing, they are really nice to work for; you’re not just a number.” With Stresscrete Formstress employing a staff of more than 90, industry and leadership training, along with creating a clear pathway for aspiring employees to succeed, is vital to staff retention and for maintaining a strong skill base in the business, Greg says. As such, the company’s management has mandated a minimum of 20% of the staff are to be undergoing training, either for apprenticeships, upskilling, or for developing into leadership positions, including as foremen. “We see that there’s a lot of value in our staff, therefore if we invest in them they will be better employees, but not only that, the spin-off effect will that they will be a better person, a better person for their family, a better parent and a better person for their community.” Factory staff can study towards a level four BCITO New Zealand Certificate in Concrete (Specialist), which takes 18 months to complete to learn the skills required to work for a precast concrete manufacturing specialist such as Stresscrete Formstress. In order to provide a full-suite of draughting, design, technical, commercial, financial, estimating, project management and engineering services, the company also employs a multi-national staff with high-level academic qualifications. Employees’ BCITO qualifications are displayed on the company’s office wall and are seen as the first significant step up in their career progression, Greg says. “They get to work with the foremen, they can potentially move up to a team leader and • BULK CARTAGE • SPREADERS OF BULK LIME & FERTILISERS • BUILDER’S MIX & AGGREGATES • STEELSTONE (SLAG) PRODUCTS • LIVESTOCK CARTAGE • HOUSEHOLDWATER CARTAGE • SAND & DRAINAGE MATERIAL • LIME ROCK CHIP PH: (09) 235 9189 e: opsmanager@kdltd.co.nz | knightanddickey.com SUPPLY CUT BEND INSTALL Mike Fox 021669462 mikef@reoco.co.nz Roadex Logistics specialises in: • Transport of Concrete, Timber and General Construction materials • Over-Dimensional Transport services • Transport of Steel and Heavy Engineering structures • Container and Small building Transport services 0800 ROADEX • 09 277 0525 • www. roadex.co.nz see their work as a profession; it drives our whole culture and it allows our foremen to pinpoint a staff member coming through the factory that has got a lot of potential and is very keen. “They nominate the staff that go on these courses, so if they nominate them they make sure they successfully do the course and follow through.” “It’s a really good system; it makes our up-and-coming leaders close to our current leaders.” BCITO has been a “big pillar” in Stresscrete Formstress’ culture, and the company has been extremely fortunate to have great training advisors who go above and beyond, Greg says. “They are so flexible and so helpful in any way to develop our staff. They are very forward-thinking in the industry as well.” The quality of Stresscrete Formstress’ staff and the expertise they offer has enabled the company to undertake many significant projects. Recent projects includes work at Brigham Creek for Dempsey Wood Civil, New World Pt Chevalier for GN Construction and Fisher & Paykel for Naylor Love.
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