Author Keith Davies has written a ‘warts and all’ insight into what makes Mainfreight – New Zealand’s most successful logistics business – tick. And DIESELtalk has copies of Davies’ new book to give away (see below).
Ready, Fire, Aim is the lively story of Mainfreight, told from humble beginnings with just one truck, into a global logistics giant. It is the compelling account of two visionary and driven men: founder Bruce Plested and current CEO Don Braid.
Davies’ writes about Mainfreight’s meteoric rise and of the ‘stuff-ups’, in Australia and America and more recently, about ‘jaw-dropping’ moments in Europe as the company made its largest ever acquisition, only to watch most of the turnover – and half the profit – exit promptly, stage left.
Relationships with investors are sometimes tested as interests are squared between institutional and smaller investors, and management strategies. As Mainfreight speaks of its 100-year vision, where “all decisions are made on the basis that we will be here for another 100 years,” some investors balk.
While Mainfreight is one of New Zealand’s most responsible corporate citizens, few people know the full story behind the ubiquitous blue and white liveried trucks.
The Mainfreight blueprint is as a family rather than family-run, and as a team where everyone has a share in the profits. Davies’ book talks about the early years, characterised by fierce battles with a heavily-regulated industry dominated, by transport cartels.
The book is also the story of one of the country’s leading CEO’s, Don Braid who has faced a series of battles, recessions and tough acquisitions – and through it all has helped shape a growing business with a social responsibility, in some of the toughest economic times in living memory.
Mainfreight’s corporate culture, says Davies, is unique and brief: “There is no place for individual ego and the instruction manual deems budgets to be ‘bullshit’. The mantra is more like: ‘Why spend time preparing figures that are out of date before the ink is dry?’ Just make more than last year.”
Perhaps we can expect to see that mantra on the back of a blue and white Mainfreight rig soon.
Davies’ book, Ready, Fire, Aim – the Mainfreight story, is a ‘must read’ to be released this Friday, August 16, by Random House New Zealand. RRP: $44.99.
DIESELtalk has three copies to give away. Just answer this question: What was the name of the Dutch transport business that Mainfreight purchased? First three correct answers win.
Email your answer to deborah@autotalk.co.nz
