Ben Clark has been working in the software R&D department at Compac Sorting for four years. It's a long journey from his home in Devonport on Auckland's North Shore to Onehunga - but he enjoys the work, and the opportunities the firm offers him.
He joined the company, which designs and builds complex machines for the global fruit sorting industry, as a software programmer. Nowadays though, he splits his time between writing software and managing a small team.
"I am in a sweet spot at the moment," says Ben, a team leader. "I get to use my programming skills while gaining experience in managing people. I don't think I'll be looking to change what I do anytime soon."
Ben enjoys the problem-solving element of his work, playing his part in developing new machines and expanding the capabilities of current models.
"A memorable challenge was to configure one sorting machine to recognise two types of fruit," he says. "Normally, one sorter handles one type of fruit at a time."
While the idea had been knocking around the company for sometime, it was a customer in the USA who wanted to sort two types of apple that triggered some serious research into the problem.
"We succeeded in finding a solution, and now these machines are used in the USA and Hawkes Bay," says Ben.
Ongoing training for staff at the firm is a big draw card for experienced people looking to stay ahead in the industry - which requires a broad range of skills - from mechanical engineers, to designers and software developers using C++ and C Sharp.
Ben wonders why universities don't produce enough people with the software skills his department needs.
Compac's HR manager Deana Barnard says the privately owned firm always looks favourably on requests from staff asking for training and actively encourages personal development.
"We have supported staff who want to complete a masters degree or study for a PhD," she says. "Consideration is also given to people wanting to attend industry seminars and short courses. We also try and help people who want to study for something not related to work, or take sabbaticals. Our assistance can cover fees, giving staff study leave, or a mixture of both. Our investment in staff is not restricted to taking on graduates, it's for the experienced, professional engineers too"
With a low turnover of staff, Deana says the company's continual advancement and growth keeps employees challenged.
"Clients come to us with ideas and our staff enjoy the challenge of making them happen," she says.
Even before the government introduced flexible working into law, Compac Sorting allowed staff to work in a way that suited them best.
"With Auckland's traffic you can't expect everyone to arrive at 8.30 on the dot," says Deana. "So some people choose to come in at 7am, others might arrive at 10am after dropping off their children at school."
Deana says it is the family atmosphere of this high-tech firm that helps retain staff - with many having worked for the established company for more than 10 years.
"There is so much scope for experienced people to learn new things and develop their skills that many find there is no reason to look elsewhere," says Deana "that's great for us, and for the new people that join us. We have a good knowledge base which our team is happy to share with newcomers".
However, recruiting experienced software engineers has been a challenge for the firm. Deana says its city fringe location may have deterred some people from wanting to travel there.
But all that is about to change, with the company - which is set to double in size over the next five years - soon to expand into Auckland's CBD.
"Having an office not too far from Britomart will help us attract software engineers who are not keen to travel to Onehunga," says Deana.
When the new office opens it will certainly be welcomed by Ben.
"I'll be just a ferry ride and a short walk away from the office," he says.