Mainfreight paid tribute yesterday to its original chairman Don Rowlands, who has died.
Rowlands was Mainfreight chairman from 1978 to 1989, and continued as a director until 2011.
“His contribution to the company’s success and culture are a legacy that will endure, and he will be remembered by us with much affection and gratitude,” says Mainfreight managing director Don Braid.
Rowlands was appointed as a knight companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2014 just a month after becoming one of the few New Zealanders appointed to the Order of Australia.
He was honoured for his contribution to rowing and to business and at the time Kiwi athlete Sir Peter Snell said Rowlands worked by helping to empower others and his achievements had flown under the radar because of his humble attitude.
“In my opinion [Don] is peerless as an administrator and no other champion athlete has matched his successful business career,” says Snell.
