94 | Forestry excellence from Puklowski crew Grant Forestry Award Nathan Taylor and Grant Puklowski. Kelly Deeks A true leader and mentor in the forestry industry, Grant Puklowski of Puklowski Silviculture, has taken out two of the top gongs at the 2022 Top of the South Forestry Awards, where he was named Skilled Professional of the Year, and also took home the Forestry Excellence Certificate. Grant has been working in forestry for 41 years and he followed his father into the industry, just as his own sons have worked alongside him. Today, Puklowski Silviculture runs two crews and about 12 staff, and is one of forest grower OneFortyOne’s highest-performing silviculture contractors. Grant’s leadership was celebrated at the awards, but he is quick to pass the credit on to his team. “I was quite surprised to be honest,” he says of his award wins. “Without these guys I’m nothing. They are there every day, and they put in 100%.” Puklowski Silviculture has been responsible for establishing multiple forestry careers over the years, most of which have started with people fresh out of school, many for people who left school early, and some for people who left school without being able to read or write very well. “Some of the better ones are the ones who haven’t done quite that well at school,” Grant says. “We take them through the training and they end up with a national certificate. Seeing some of those guys get that, and it’s the biggest achievement they have ever had, is so rewarding.” Grant trains many school leavers, gives them a good start and a taste of the great career they can have in the forestry industry. “I’ve got some really experienced guys working for me and they help with the training and bringing these younger fellas up. Some of them will stay in silviculture, some of them might go into harvesting, and some of them have become forest managers.” Of those who stay with Puklowski Silviculture, Grant still has one on the team who has been there for 28 years, one for 25 years, and several who have been with him for about 10 years. “They still work in my crews and they love it,” he says. “It’s not just a job, it’s a lifestyle for them. They spend all week in the forest working, and they’re back up there in the weekend pig hunting.” Grant’s flair for leadership is obvious in his team, but other attributes have also led to the high-performance of his business. “Without these guys I’m nothing. I’ve got some really experienced guys working for me and they help with the training and bringing these younger fellas up.” FORESTRY » Puklowski Silviculture “I’m a senior person in the industry who has been around a long time,” he says. “I’ve seen it go through a lot of changes and been able to change with it.” On his Forestry Excellence Certificate, Grant says he just tries to do things right. “We don’t want to do a rough job, everyone hears about your rough job. We want everyone to hear about our good job, and making sure everyone is safe and happy. The well-being of your crews is really important. Just praise them and mentor them.” Proudly supporting Puklowski Silviculture Proudly supporting Puklowski Silviculture YOUR ONE-STOP SHOP FOR ALL YOUR FORESTRY & OUTDOOR GEAR 4/38 ELLIS STREET, BRIGHTWATER • LOGGER.CO.NZ • 0800 LOGGING Wire rope sales & service Harvester chain sharpening Chainsaw/harvester bars & chain Safety equipment & PPE Clothing & footwear Fishing, hunting & tramping
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