Bay ventures get help to boost productivity

Lifting business through a Callaghan Innovation programme are Mark Browne, CEO of QRS (Wairoa), Elizabeth McInnes, programme manager at Callaghan Innovation, Glenn Manahi of Smarter, Better, Faster and Business Hawke's Bay CEO Susan White. Photo / Paul Taylor

Elizabeth McInnes from Callaghan Innovation flew in to visit three Hawke's Bay businesses yesterday, and each reported improvements in productivity thanks to initiatives from the government agency.

Programme manager Ms McInnes met first with Mark Browne, chief executive of the Wairoa District Council-owned roading company QRS.

QRS began its High Performance Work Initiative journey earlier this year and although "work is in its infancy", Mr Browne said the business had made an excellent start.

Working together, senior and mid-level managers and supervisors have already identified "roadblocks" and better ways to work to remove these.

"Already we are seeing results," Mr Browne said.

"We have a better understanding of each other's responsibilities and where there are pressure points and stress levels that are affecting the total business. We've been guilty of working in silos and now we're developing processes and procedures to work more cohesively."

He expects that over the year-long programme, the whole QRS team of about 100 employees will be involved in the productivity improvement process.

"Another spin-off that was somewhat unexpected is that there's a growing confidence and pride in ourselves, our company and our community."

Ms McInnes also visited Analytical Research in Awatoto and Alto Packaging in Hastings.

She was accompanied by Susan White, chief executive of Business Hawke's Bay, and Glen Manahi of Smarter, Better, Faster, the consultancy that is delivering the programme.