Pedersens is about more than running the most productive and cost effective operation possible.
Pedersens is also about people power. The core values of this modern, innovative and growing business are centred around openness, integrity and respect. These are very much to the fore when it comes to staff relations.
Employees thrive in this culture at this family business with family values. Fresh fruit bowls, modern plant to work with, excellent safety records, numerous awards for staff training, a stable management core, pathways to empowerment … this is all part of the Pedersen employment picture.
The company’s caring management model promotes employee engagement, employee motivation, employee development and employee retention.
“Pedersens are industry leaders and we credit our staff with much of that success. It’s little wonder we put so much effort into making Pedersens a great place to work.”
Managing Director Paul Pedersen.
Pedersens is proud to boast an engaged and enthused workforce.
Staff talk about working at Pedersens
Nick Russell
Mechanic Supervisor
Nick is a relatively new addition to the team. Yet his potential was promptly recognised and, as a result, promotional opportunities have already come his way.
Nick, who is based at Pedersen’s Kinleith operation, came on board as a mechanic in mid- 2012. Shortly afterwards he was offered in-house supervisory training and within nine months achieved a job description change. Nick is now Mechanic Supervisor – overseeing a team of three.
There is much he likes about working for Pedersens. A major plus, he says, are the family-friendly hours. Working from 6am until 4pm five days a week is great for family life, and a “luxury” he hasn’t always experienced in his working life.
Team morale is “awesome” at Pedersens where, he says, he feels as if he is “much more than just a worker”.
Jarrod Haare
Loader Operator
Career growth and work experience abroad have both come Jarrod’s way since he became a Pedersen employee.
“Since working for Pedersens I have had the opportunity to work in Australia and to try my hand at something different.”
Jarrod started off stacking timber and then moved up the ladder to take on loader operator duties. He is now Kinleith based.
Being a loader operator and working for Pedersens is a good fit for him, he says.
“The guys are a good bunch and easy to get along with; the management are understanding and easy to talk to; and I get to play on some good machines.”
Pita Ropiha
Loader Operator
Pedersens provides Pita with a job, camaraderie… and a healthy living plan.
“These guys really try to look after their workers. The smoko huts have fresh fruit all year round and soup in winter. It’s free – you just help yourself. It’s about healthy eating and it’s a good incentive for me.”
Pita says exercise programmes – and social functions – are organised too.
“It’s a good team and I plan to be here as long as I can.”
Pita, who was once a truck driver, is based in Kawerau and has been with Pedersens since 2006.
Clarence Dakin
Log Yard Supervisor
Clarence is a bit of a “go to” man at Pedersens… for obvious reasons. He’s worked on the Kawerau site for just shy of 30 years, the past ten as a Pedersen employee. He’s a Jack of many trades too, having worked for Pedersens as a stacker operator, a loader operator and a truck driver.
Then he got tapped on the shoulder to take up a team leader’s position.
“I’ve worked in most areas around the mill. I have knowledge and I feel this was recognised. I feel valued here,” Clarence says.
“I like the people I work with and the company I work for.”
His career aspirations are clear cut. “I’m aiming for 50 years on site.”
Bruce Hutchings
Operations Advisor
Bruce has been with the Pedersen Group for 20-plus years commencing as a casual operator.
He is perfectly placed to comment on promotional opportunities available at Pedersens. Bruce is now the Operation Advisor, responsible for providing Operational Management support to managers and supervisors. He also has specific responsibilities around Mobile Plant Asset Management, and specific Project work as requested and required throughout the group.
“You want to go places? Then do the hard work and chances are you will go places,” is his advice.
Bruce lives in Whakatane and travels to Pedersen’s sites in New Zealand and Australia.
“Pedersens is a caring company – the sort of company that sends flowers and looks after your family as well as you”.
Nathan Thompson
holiday reliever
He’s described as a holiday reliever, but there’s not much holiday time for this employee at the Albury site.
Nathan’s job is a full-time one, across many departments from fitters to utilities to production. He just goes where he is needed in a job which works for him on many levels.
“It’s a very well-managed company. They recognise that family life is important and they want their staff to be happy.
“The pay is really good, training is offered and my job is great – I love the versatility and flexibility. I feel well looked after.
“Pedersens pretty much ticks all the boxes.”
Tyson Lees
loader operator
Tyson has been with Pedersens since 2013. It was a great career move, he says.
“I love operating machinery – the bigger the better – so this is the place to be.”
Pedersens is a company which commits to the best and most reliable machinery, he says.
The biggest excavator this enthused loader operator has ever seen has been commissioned by Pedersens and he has been assigned as one of its operators.
Tyson’s happy about other things in his workplace too.
“It is a flexible place and I have good relationships with my workmates and the boss. There are really good channels of communication here and that’s really important.”
Louise Grzegorczyn
Technical administrator and health and safety coordinator
Louise has been described as the glue of the Maryvale site.
She has been with Pedersens since the contract commenced at this Australian site, and fulfils a number of roles. She is involved in chip quality testing and administration support. Her main focus, however, is on health and safety.
Louise thoroughly enjoys the dynamics of working in production, all the more so as she is employed by a “professional, forward-thinking company”.
Pedersens is, she says, a company that constantly reviews things like safety, productivity, focus going forward and improvements in general.
“If you draw attention to something that needs actioning you will be listened to, note will be taken, and the feasibility of change analysed. At Pedersens you are never hamstrung.”