Celebrating 40 Years at Planex
After an incredible journey spanning four decades, I am delighted to announce my retirement from Planex. It has been a privilege to dedicate 40 years to this company, witnessing its evolution and contributing and guiding its growth and success.
Throughout my time at Planex, we have seen and weathered some of the most significant events in recent history. The uncertainty of the dot-com bust, the challenges posed by the GFC and most recently navigating the chaotic days of the COVID-19 pandemic with production still running in Hallam, but having to manage the disruption of administration, sales, and marketing diaspora.
I have seen the evolution from hands-on tradesmanship to our current roboticized lights-out operation managed by the omnipresent spread of IT and now AI. I am proud to say that our team has always found a way through to capitalize on change, difficulties, and adversity. Our spirit of teamwork and resilience is truly something special.
Our success has been underpinned by an exceptional supply chain. Rather than pursuing the cheapest option, we have built long-standing partnerships founded on mutual respect, trust, and understanding. Many of these relationships began in Planex’s earliest days and continue to strengthen today.
A company cannot exist without customers, and we have been astute in reading the market and anticipating changing needs. From our early days supplying plan cabinets to once-prominent state entities like the SECV, MMBW and G&FC, we went on to introduce tambour door cabinets into Australia in the early 1990s. Today, our modular xLocker range is the benchmark for education, corporate, and government workplaces.
But Planex has been more than just my workplace, since 1972 it has been my second home. My involvement was the continuation of an adventure started by my parents, Pat and Fernand, 53 years ago. I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity I have had, the lessons learned, and, most importantly, the close friendships made along the way. The term family business, often fancifully bandied about, is a reality at Planex.
As I step into retirement, I look back with immense satisfaction and pride and say thanks to everyone at Planex past and present for their support, camaraderie, and countless memories. I look forward to watching Planex continue to thrive in the years ahead, and I wish you all the very best for the future.
I am confident that I am leaving Planex in good hands with the appointment of Leo Ryner as Chief Operating Officer. Leo has been indirectly involved with Planex for the last 25 years and brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to our values. I have every faith in his leadership as we move forward.
While I am stepping back from my current role, I will continue to be actively involved with the company, focusing on our environmental initiatives, particularly in energy efficiency, recycling, and circularity. These areas are close to my heart, and I look forward to supporting Planex’s ongoing commitment to sustainability. The irony is that after 40 years I am finally putting my scientific background to work. Circularity indeed!
Thank you to all that have supported myself and Planex throughout the last 40 years.