After celebrating its 40th anniversary last year, Commercial Cold Storage (CCS) began 2012 with a new chapter – the arrival of Lourens de Waal as Managing Director of the division. The Tidings team set up an interview with Lourens to find out more about the man behind the name. How does it feel to hold the title of Managing Director at CCS? I have never been big on titles and you certainly don’t need one to take the lead or make a difference. I am however excited and positively challenged about being given the opportunity of taking the CCS team on a journey of first making it a more sustainable business and then hopefully taking it on a path of true step change. I have also enjoyed my interactions with my colleagues across the <strong>Oceana</strong> <strong>Group</strong> to date. What motivates you? Positive people How do you motivate others? It is important to encourage diversity of input and to be genuinely open to being challenged. People by their very nature want to contribute and you need to make sure you listen and take their contributions seriously without letting your ego get in the way. In this way, they become part of the solution and will take personal ownership for their own and the business’ success. What are some of the key contributing factors for your success to date? Anticipating customer needs, taking some calculated risks and learning from my many mistakes are definitely some of the factors high on the list. In addition, I like to focus on positive team behaviours and translating the strategic direction and aspirations of the business into a practical plan. When it comes to my wife and three children, I need 6 New Managing Director at Commercial Cold Storage Phillip Conradie appears to be ready and eager to take on the challenge of being responsible for the continued success of <strong>Oceana</strong> Brands’ (OB) operations. He assumed his new position on 1 December 2011, leaving behind the role of Managing Director at Etosha Fishing in Walvis Bay, Namibia, where he has worked for the past 17 years. Phillip says he was working for Premier <strong>Group</strong> when he was required to start up and head the Etosha Fishing cannery. Five years later <strong>Oceana</strong> <strong>Group</strong> bought Premier Fishing’s shares in Etosha and took over the cannery in 1999 and, according to him, it is now "one of the best canneries in the world". Being in Namibia, Phillip says he had to make many independent decisions and was the driver of operations of the cannery. He clearly sees the value in team work and, as a manager, prioritises the development of a strong and efficient team. His aim is to create teams out of the employees working on the operations side of the business. He is confident that with strong teams, his expertise, knowledge and experience, he will take the St Helena Bay cannery and Fishmeal Plant to the same standard as the one in Walvis Bay. With regard to the fishmeal plant in Hout Bay, Phillip says he is excited about working together with Wilhelm van Zyl to improve to do better. Prior to joining <strong>Oceana</strong> in December, I was constantly travelling for many years and I now look forward to being a more present and successful husband and dad. How would you describe your managing style? Even though I believe in challenging people with stretching goals and focusing on output, combining it with a healthy dose of having some fun along the way is very important. Further than that I would like to think I am very open-minded and approachable. Holding the role of Managing director at CCS is another checkpoint in your career. What has your professional journey been like thus far? I qualified as a cost accountant, but that career lasted about 3 months – way too exciting! From there I survived a few years as a Financial Manager, before I took over the bulk cold storage operations for I&J for their local and export markets. Thereafter, I assumed the role at Vector Logistics as national operations manager and finally ended my previous employment as first supply chain director, and then customer director for what has become the market leader in the SA frozen logistics market. What are your personal interests and passions? I love mountain biking and have been known to crash several times! Once a year my wife and I also like to go skiing in Europe. The remainder of my free time now belongs mainly to my kids, with our late arrival keeping us on the run. One day I will learn to play the guitar, cook, kite surf, fish... Where do you see yourself in the next ten years? The dreaded question! Hopefully, I will be creating a legacy of making an increasingly positive impact on people’s lives. PHILLIP CONRADIE TAKES OVER THE REINS AS OCEANA BRANDS’ NEW OPERATIONS DIRECTOR operations and business at the Hout Bay plant, especially considering their combined management skills, technical and operational expertise, and vast experience in the fishing industry. He is up to the challenge of turning the fishmeal operation around following disappointing results last year. He describes himself as being a "hands-on” manager, a view supported by OB's Global Head of Sales and Marketing, Andrew Plastow, who says Phillip does not mind "getting his hands dirty" with employees on the ground. It is for this reason that Phillip has garnered himself a reputation as an accessible manager, who has worked hard to get to where he is today. Phillip explained that he started his career doing maintenance work on fishing vessels. On a personal front, Phillip and his partner Sanel with her daughter Selené have set up home in Langebaan. He says his family loves the move and enjoys the different environment. From a small private school with about 100 learners, Selené is now adapting to a school in Langebaan with close to 800 learners! Phillip says his partner of the past eight years has been his strength and support during this period. Coincidentally, she has also been in the fishing industry for many years. Phillip was born in Cape Town and spent his childhood in Saldanha on the Cape west coast.
M A N A G E M E N T I N F O R M AT I O N 7
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