Typically modest about his achievements, the 57-year-old is always quick to acknowledge the team effort behind Mainfreights success. Im always exploring those opportunities and may be experimenting in particular regions or with particular customers before implementing that across the rest of the business. Youve got to think about that as small groups of people looking after our customers and each group is important in their own right and theyll have their own little traits. In April 2007, Mainfreight announced its intentions to sell its Pan Orient Project Logistics business and its 75% interest in Lep Australia and New Zealand to global logistics company Agility Group for A$83 million. Don Braid (Mainfreight) Credit: Mainfreight . We ask our people to recruit very good people with passion and energy; people good enough to become branch managers. While there was someone in the drivers seat, the computer took over the vehicle. In November 2014, Mainfreight acquired a regional air and sea freight company located in Dunedin. More importantly, the people in those branches know what they did last week, and which were the right decisions or the wrong decisions. Were not thinking about selling our shares, were not thinking of getting out when the goings good were here for the good and the bad so were preparing the business for that next 100 years. In his results commentary, Braid said the results were pleasing in light of initial supply chain disruptions during the early part of the year, on the back of lockdowns in response to the global pandemic. Bryan has a wealth of experience, both in executive and board roles. COVID-19 has had a significant impact on freight and supply chains worldwide. 'Ready, fire, aim' is Mainfreight man's mantra | Stuff.co.nz Mainfreight chairman Bruce Plested says Braid is a very complete modern and old-fashioned leader wrapped up in one. Whilst describing the foundation of Mainfreight in 2000, Plested said to the New Zealand Herald, "We moved all our freight by sea between Auckland, and Christchurch and Dunedin, and we worked weekend shifts to make sure we loaded and unloaded the ship using the whole of the seven days - we found that was faster and more reliable than our big competitors."[4]. People thrive on being given responsibility. enter your email and well send you details. Zac: Whats a bit of business advice you can share? Dogged determination, drive and eternal optimism - they're all qualities Don Braid exudes. Things are changing a little bit and everyones suggesting that its all going to go to eCommerce. Mainfreight will pay a discretionary bonus of $43.9 million, up 61% from last year's bonus of $27.3m, after a record result to March which saw net profit up by $40.1m to $188.1m. He is an outstandingly consistent and capable chief executive. As weve matured and grown around the rest of network, were now learning things that we can bring back to New Zealand. Appointment to Board 2000 - With Mainfreight since 1994. So you need to make sure youve got succession planning to be able to work on the dream that youre creating. Its revenue is up 5.9% over the last year. 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Don: I think its quite a long way off. Brent is a senior reporter based in Queenstown. Educated at Timaru Boys High School, Braid has been described as possibly the most self-effacing leader of major listed company in New Zealand and is widely regarded as straight-talking and strong leader. Zac: How do you prioritise where to spend your time in a normal week? What we put in place here in New Zealand became the blueprint for the organization around the world. Hamish. I dont see this as a job, so therefore the stress levels arent as strong. Don joined in 1994 and hes been on the board since 2000 and the CEO for a heck of a long time. Regrettably, registration fees cannot be refunded when cancellations are received within two working days prior to any branch event. So what you produce in terms of profitability is real. Appointment to Board 2000 - With Mainfreight since 1994. Despite international growth and success, Braid is passionate about keeping the company proudly Kiwi-owned and has been an outspoken voice on local transport and infrastructure matters. A table of ten booking is available for $1000.00, subject to availability at the time of booking. Our data indicates that Mainfreight Limited has a market capitalization of NZ$6.0b, and total annual CEO compensation was reported as NZ$3.0m for the year to March 2020. After the full acquisition that took place August 2007, Mainfreight Asia quickly gained momentum in the Air and Ocean sector, driving business in China and Southeast Asia. What are their requirements? Don Braid, Group Managing Director of Mainfreight Limited, was educated at Timaru Boys High School and has over 30 years experience in freight forwarding and logistics both New Zealand and internationally. He previously worked for the Otago Daily Times, after a return to business journalism in 2018. Mainfreight - Wikipedia Your email address will not be published. Weve got examples of that in our business right now. In 2006 the New Zealand Mainfreight International and Owens International businesses were also merged to make Mainfreight Owens International Ltd (now Mainfreight International). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Zac: What are your thoughts on driverless trucks and how they will affect Mainfreight? Like most Kiwi business leaders, Braid is self-effacing and doesn't fancy talking to journalists about his life outside the company. Founded in 1969 as Dunedin Customs Brokers Ltd, DCB International provides international air and sea freight services from Dunedin. He believes in fostering an innovative culture in the organisation and encourages top performances from his teams. Hes the right man for the job at just the right time. As a young salesperson aged 19, I couldnt make a cold call. Braid said that while Mainfreights people can be proud of the way they stood up to be counted, there would continue to be uncertainty with heavily congested supply chains continuing to affect the worlds freight lanes. Don: What we do is measure profit before tax at the branch level and that includes interest and depreciation. And then it was a matter of communication and staying in touch, making sure everyone was okay, making sure any questions were answered. His leadership is underpinned by a strong belief in Mainfreights global competency and capabilities to provide high-quality supply chain solutions for our customers. The long-term effects must be carefully studied. Cash flow is essential for any business survival. Who wouldnt want exposure to the retirement sector? You can be profitable and not collect the cash and go broke. "You can imagine what they need to eat, drink and use," says Braid in the boardroom of Mainfreight's building in Otahuhu. Insight and analysis of top stories from our award winning magazine "Bloomberg Businessweek". Both are real legends and seem to really walk the talk. National's three waters policy is only cosmetically distinct from Labour's. Click on [Agree] or [Disagree] to accept or refuse cookies. He knows where the company is going and, more importantly, how it will get there. With the takeover of the Owens Group in 2003 they purchased Owens International Australia. Theres no bullshit in the numbers, they are what the business has earned. Don: I get out of the way. Yes, wed committed an enormous amount of capital expenditure coming into this new financial year, but we were in good shape in that the balance sheet looks pretty good. "I don't think any of those things are really of interest to this," he says. Rising inflation and labour shortages have added to the Covid-19 melting pot, crippling global supply chains and trade growth. Engage via Email. For me its being in the business, with people and in particular with customers. The Mainfreight board is intent on doubling revenue to $2 billion by 2015, mostly from international earnings, and Mr Braid envisages at least 500 branches before too long. That was uppermost in our mind. Don: Um, I think its recognising good people. It is totally how I believe a company should be and I love how everyone starts at the bottom. Forsyth Barr analyst Rob Mercer said the market had confidence in Mainfreight after it managed to grow revenue and market share and outperform its peers during the global financial crisis. As you get bigger, staff engagement and culture becomes more difficult. It doesnt matter what the worlds thrown at them, theyve shown they are capable of dealing with it. In 2003 Mainfreight bought Owens Group, one of New Zealand's largest trucking firms. "If you allow the recession to roll over the top of you there's a great chance it will.". He joined Daily Freightways in 1978, gaining a thorough grounding in all aspects of the business and eventually heading up that company. Don: The culture is really important and our culture starts with those closest to the customer. That includes a new facility for Owens Transport in Penrose, Auckland and additional land in Nelson, Hastings, Cambridge and Wellington. Mainfreight Half Year Financial Results 30 September 2021 - NZX What else do we need to do to satisfy that bunch of customers? It remains a very exciting journey., Spearheading the management team at New Zealands largest supply chain logistics and transport company has paid off handsomely for, Well known for his mental and physical toughness, Braid is often seen working out at The Atrium Club in downtown Auckland, which offers real world fitness for men. His sartorial style was also recognised in 2006 when he was judged the national winner of the. WINNER Thanks Mr Braid for sharing your knowledge and insight. Two other directors joined KiwiRail's board earlier this year, Rob Jager and Ed Sims. Group Managing Director, Mainfreight. Shareholders would be glad to know that the company has improved itself over the last few years. [7] This takeover was in response to the purchase of Tranz Rail by Australian transport firm Toll Holdings. Theyre all networked, but theyre all distanced so we knew we needed to communicate really well with them and have a blueprint that we know would work. He has clear vision of what it will take to navigate the unforgiving roads and heavy traffic of the international freight marketplace and so far he has kept this business right on track. We continue to be optimistic and we are bloody proud of our people who have delivered this record result.. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com. Richard has been elected a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. Offices are outlawed, even for Braid, whose desk is situated in the corner of a large, open-plan room occupied by the company's national team. 5 November 2019 - Mainfreight's Don Braid has reinforced his reputation as one of New Zealand's most successful executives, being named Executive of the Decade at the 2019 Deloitte Top 200 Awards in Auckland tonight (5 December 2019).Mainfreight was also named Company of the Year, sponsored by Deloitte Digital and Marsh. Don: Sometimes I think people dont recognise or believe or have enough passion in what theyve developed. Wed rather own assets than lease them. Mainfreight will release its financial results for the full 2022 financial year on 26 May 2022. Youve got to break it down. [2] In 1979, Bruce Plested partnered with Neil Graham, with Graham based in Christchurch and Plested in Auckland. Don: Its been interesting! As we noted earlier, Mainfreight pays its CEO in line with similar-sized companies belonging to the same industry. Braid, who joined Mainfreight through its purchase of Daily Freightways, says the company hasn't let the last few years of economic upheaval dull its ambitions. He joined Daily Freightways in 1978, gaining a thorough grounding in all aspects of the business and eventually heading up . Today he chairs a group of telecommunication companies. Zac: As the leader of Mainfreight, what do you personally focus on to get the team going in the right direction? "It's just a little rule that we've had because if they [analysts] keep calling us a trucking company they clearly haven't done their research.". Its important to be as flexible as we can to bring an offering that the customer requires during a really tough time. Don Braid, Mainfreight Ltd: Profile and Biography - Bloomberg Markets Zac: Don, your 100-year vision how does that work? Don Braid. So we have these 282 locations across 20 countries how do we get them each operating at their peak, every day? In 1994 Mainfreight purchased the business, and Don went on to hold various senior management roles at Mainfreight prior to his appointment as Managing Director in 2000. Part of our recruitment process is to get them to go through the system and learn the business from the floor up: you start by pushing a broom or running documents to Customs. Rob Fyfe I just have a belief and determination that weve got a pretty good business here. Once we convinced them that they didnt need a time clock, they took to them with a sledgehammer. And he should know, having spent his entire working life in the freight industry. Deloitte Top 200 Award Winners Announced for 2019 As an example, we know what money weve made or lost last week in every single one of those 282 branches as of about half an hour ago. What do those customers look for from us? 2023: A year of trepidation unless you take control, Talking to 2022 Westpac Supreme Business Winner, Juliette Hogan, How Fix & Fogg are winning the hearts of Americans. So we are developing our people to be the best they possibly can be. Do also serves as a member of the Board of the Starship foundation. The multinational logistics and transport group announced a year end dividend of 45 cents a share, taking the full dividend for the year to 75c, up 27% on the prior year. Everyone stands on their own two feet. Component 2020 Regionally, the NZ business saw an increase of 11.5% in profit before tax to $97.8m, though supply chain capacity into and from NZ remains congested, and the company is frustrated with international shipping lines". Mainfreight's $43.9m 'family' bonus | BusinessDesk Top 200 : Deloitte/Management magazine Executive of the Year Don Braid Whats changed? Weve needed to adjust, particularly in the international sector, air freight charters rather than just normal air freight our people had never had any experience in chartering a full plane. The Group MD & Director of Mainfreight Limited (NZSE:MFT), Donald Braid Those people become good leaders early in the piece they might be only leading a couple of people by the time they make branch manager status but they understand the roles of leadership within Mainfreight. So each person can earn some more money by not just making profit, but keeping customers happy, keeping claims to a lower amount, making sure were collecting cash, making sure that were delivering freight in full and on time but the base bonus, everybody gets the same amount no matter whether youve been there for one year or for 40 years and no matter what your position is. It is our strong belief that the momentum we have will continue, and will develop at a faster pace than we have experienced in the past, thanks to our people, our network and our culture. [8], Headquartered in 's-Heerenberg, The Netherlands, Wim Bosman is privately held and operates more than 1,000 transport units, manage more than 275,000m2 of cross-docking facilities and warehouse area, and employ roughly 1,414 staff within 14 branches located in The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Romania, Poland, and Russia. | Braid has earned a reputation within the market as a straight talker and one of the most effective NZX-50 bosses. For us its about pushing the decision-making as close to the customer as possible, getting those people to make decisions rather than pushing them upstairs for someone else to make. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies. Although Plested remains the largest shareholder with a 16% stake worth $395m, Braids more modest 2.79% stake is still worth about $70m supplemented by annual remuneration of $2.2m in 2017. "You need some energy and you need to be on the front foot," he says. And thats that. How does that actually work, practically? Grant Samuel & Associates Ltd. Kate brings to the Board her broad financial and analytical experience acquired in a range of industries, both in New Zealand and overseas.