120 | Very successful company keeps thriving Jax Smith on the left and Jen Hall on the right. Sue Russell Two sisters are running a transporting business based in Renwick, Marlborough, following on in the footsteps of their late father Ian Higgins. To say they’re proud of keeping this very successful company thriving is an understatement. “We’re really blessed to be in the position to carry on, in Dad’s memory. This business traces its beginnings back to 1993 and it’s the work ethic and family values that we had instilled in us by our parents that has meant we can lead the company through its next chapter,” says Jen Hall, who takes care of the day to day running of the office. Along with Jax Smith, in charge of operations, the two lead a team of 25 plus casual staff who operate 30 trucks. Jax joined the business back in 2005, followed three years later by Jen. Asked how they intended to celebrate 30 years in business next year, both say they’re thinking of doing something very different from the usual experiences their team might expect. “We’re thinking a formal black tie dinner, with all the bells and whistles might be in order,” says Jax. Parents Ian and Karen began the business with just one curtain-sider delivering gib-board to Placemakers. It was Ian who shoulder-tapped Jax to come into the business, running from a home office. Testament to the success of the company is its growth, in a competitive market. To grow to 30 trucks these days delivering anything except stock, logs and furniture, means the bones of the business must be in very good shape. Jen and Jax put that down to the quality of their team. They’re not afraid to shoulder-tap some-one they feel will bring real value into the mix. Such is the case with their logistics manager Pie who joined 6 years ago. Having him in charge of the day to day logistical thinking meant that Jax and Jen could step back a pace, concentrating on the business not in the business. Drivers often arrive carrying their Class 2 licence and an employed driver-trainer takes them through to Class 5. Jax has just returned from a Diversity Conference in Wellington, which she says opened her eyes to a new way of looking at resourcing driver training. “In this industry we need to be looking wider than our own business and be thinking that anyone RURAL SERVICES » Renwick Transport we train up well will go on to add value somewhere to the whole sector. That’s a really good way of thinking about it.” When COVID struck, right on the grape harvest, it meant pulling out all stops to ensure the trucks could operate. Jax and Jen put in huge hours. “We had to very quickly think on our feet regarding supplies, procedures, sanitising trucks. Our team was fully behind us and made it possible to get through those early uncertain days,” Jen says. “We had to very quickly think on our feet regarding supplies, procedures, sanitising trucks. Our team was fully behind us and made it possible to get through.” • to page 122 HESLOPS 0800 HESLOPS 24HRS FOR ALL YOUR TRUCK & TRAILER REPAIR NEEDS Specialising in the Repair of: Trucks, Trailers, Buses, Cars, 4 x 4 Vehicles, Marine Engines, Heavy Equipment & Motor Homes 7 Kotua Place, Stoke | PO Box 3012 Richmond, Nelson | 0800 HESLOP (437 567) | 24 HR Hotline 03 543 9400 Email admin@heslops.co.nz | www.heslops.co.nz Radich Law is pleased to support Jax and Jen in their businesses Renwick Transport Limited and Renwick Spreading & Supplies Limited and congratulate them on their success as a major award winner at the NZ Groundspread Fertiliser Awards. Radich Law provides premium legal services to people, families, businesses and corporations in Marlborough & beyond. General Advice | Property Transactions | Wills, Trusts & Estates | Relationship Property & Family Law Court Claims & Defences | Resource Management & Local Government | Corporate & Commercial Law Wine Industry | Arbitrations & Meditations | Employment P.O Box 842, 21 Bells Road, Blenheim, 7240 +64 3 577 8450 info@radichlaw.co.nz
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