Meet Deon and Brenda from Steel & Tube’s Christchurch. As our National Manufacturing Manager for Reinforcing and Wire, Deon ensures our customers receive top quality product on-time and to specification. Brenda is our Operations Assistant. Whether she’s supporting our Auckland-based Health and Safety team or she’s in her hometown of Christchurch assisting with payroll and administration, Brenda is an asset to the team. Outside of the office, Deon and Brenda are keen cyclists.
Tell me about your role with Steel & Tube
Deon: I look after Steel & Tube’s reinforcing sites from a plant and quality perspective. Currently, I’m involved with the expansion of our Wellington branch. It’s been great to get stuck in and try find a suitable site for our new operation. It speaks to Steel and Tube’s commitment to the Wellington region and wanting to grow the operation in the Lower North. On top of that, we’re proud to support local by sourcing local material to use throughout our manufacturing plants in New Zealand.
Brenda: I’m currently the Operations Assistant for Steel & Tube’s reinforcing and mesh business units in Christchurch. I also enjoy looking after Health and Safety for our Auckland and Christchurch sites. I first become involved in this aspect of the business in 2019 after I won the Steel & Tube Four Pillars award. This is my 28th year with Steel & Tube. It’s certainly been an exciting and interesting journey so far with many learnings along the way. Over that time, I’ve seen the business grow tremendously. It’s been a real pleasure to play a part in that growth and continued success.
How did you first get into cycling?
Deon: I grew up in South Africa so riding to school and back was always an option due to the great weather in our area. It was a hobby at first which I really enjoyed. After serving in the army, I founded a bike shop in our local community which furthered my cycling. As part of the cycle shop, we organised many rides and this led to riding in many club competitions. In 1999, I moved to New Zealand and didn’t do any cycling at first as I found New Zealand to be extremely cold. Once I’d acclimatised, I got back into cycling. New Zealand has a great cycling community where people at all levels are very welcome to join a club. I’m involved with both mountain biking and road cycling as I enjoy the unique challenge each presents.
Brenda: I was a keen marathon runner. One of my bucket list items was to run a marathon in under three hours so I was thrilled when I met that goal. Another highlight was competing in a duathlon in Taupo where I won the national title and went to Worlds to compete in Italy. I’ve also competed in an Ironman race. To do so, I had to learn how to swim as an adult which was great as it’s such an important skill, especially in New Zealand. I love the structure of working at the office as I typically train before and after work.
What motivates you to come into work every day?
Deon: I enjoy the focus on continuous improvement. Whether it’s working with the team to overcome a challenge or further developing our processes, we are always focused on being better. I’d describe myself as a hands-on leader. I think that stems from roles earlier in my career where I was working on the machines myself. It’s critical that a manufacturing operation is led by someone who has a passion for and understands manufacturing. I take a lot of pride in what we do so that’s why I enjoy my work.
Brenda: There’s such a great energy within the business and working with motivated people means I always feels like I’m contributing to our success which I enjoy. As an Operations Assistant, I’ve also increased my knowledge of the machines which we operate. It gives me a greater appreciation for what we’re doing and the value that brings to our communities.
What’s your favourite New Zealand cycling track and why?
Deon: I’d have to say Ashely Forest in Canterbury. It can get busy but on a ride through, you could easily not pass anyone. It’s a peaceful ride and there’s no pressure to go fast which can be a nice change of pace from racing.
Brenda: I certainly enjoy the more challenging rides so I enjoy training around the hills in Lyttleton, near Christchurch Port. Deon, myself and another friend train together regularly. We’re gearing up for Coast to Coast on the West Coast in the South Island in February 2022. I’ll be running, Deon will be cycling and our friend will be kayaking. Training on the hills in Lyttleton and Port Hills is great as we gear up for the race. It’ll be a lot of fun to compete with the support of my teammates.
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