Primepac is a leading manufacturer and distributor of industrial supplies and packaging products. Primepac is New Zealand owned and operated, supplying companies throughout the country.
Background
Primepac has been on a steady growth trajectory since starting over 20 years ago, achieving significant year-on-year growth. The business continues to pursue this trajectory by continually innovating and developing new products, utilising its comprehensive proprietary brand and leveraging an international supply network.
What started as a standard mid-market business has steadily grown and expanded into the enterprise channel. This has presented new opportunities and complexities that require implementing additional supporting processes and systems.
The Opportunity
Primepac is a family-owned business with a number of family members working in executive roles. Whilst there is a strong Advisory Board and highly competent CEO, the broader Executive Leadership Team (ELT) had limited exposure to professional development or management experience outside of Primepac.
The CEO was also intending to progressively step away from operational control to focus on wider Group responsibilities. This presented the opportunity for the ELT to take more responsibility for day-to-day operations and work more cohesively as an executive team.
The Solution
Strategic Specialists Group was engaged to share proven solutions and thinking drawn from a wide variety of past business experiences.
They identified that a key enabler to Primepac’s growth objectives was the development of their Executive Leadership Team to focus beyond their functional roles, think more strategically, and progressively take on greater responsibility within the business, including a potential financial stake in the future.
The Process
Our local Specialist was engaged as an external business coach and mentor to assist with the personal growth of the ELT, helping them meet immediate challenges, gain personal insights, and successfully implement Primepac’s wider growth aspirations.
The Specialist designed a flexible program aligned with the culture, tempo, and ethos of Primepac. This program considered the unique characteristics of each team member, focusing on broadening exposure to alternate thinking and processes, new leadership skills, and different perspectives on solving business challenges that built on their existing management experience.
The Coaching Program was fully customised for Primepac and followed a 3-step process over 12 months:
- Step 1: Discovery: Over a few weeks, the Specialist drilled down into the business to understand the organisational culture, operational metrics, business strategy, external stakeholders, potential roadblocks, key staff, and reporting cadence — from the perspective of each ELT member.
- Step 2: Design: In conjunction with the Discovery phase, the Specialist developed rapport with each ELT member, identifying specific leadership attributes to develop, relationships with direct reports, immediate challenges, departmental priorities, and personal motivators.
- Step 3: Delivery: The Design phase evolved into a customised coaching plan for each ELT member focusing on solving operational issues and challenges, skill development mapping, personal leadership style, and optimising internal relationships. Structured coaching sessions were confidential, but notes were provided after each meeting outlining discussion points, actions, and future areas of focus. A quarterly progress summary was shared with participants and the CEO for feedback and program refinement.
Supplementary meetings were added as required to focus on specific initiatives, such as starting Sales and Operational Planning, developing high-potential staff, reviewing the New Product Development process, and Budget Planning.
The Outcome
Over a twelve-month period, Strategic Specialists Group achieved the following results with Primepac:
Leadership Team:
- Created an optimal learning environment for the new ELT, incorporating leadership theory, management best practice, and practical examples dealing with real operational challenges. This also created a platform for honest and focused feedback on leadership performance.
- Assisted with the structured development of the wider management team through succession planning, targeted recruitment to fill competency gaps, and leadership development across the business.
Individual Leaders:
Each participant responded positively to the program, becoming more open to alternative viewpoints and developing a stronger understanding of the broader strategic drivers of the business. The structured approach to problem-solving and leadership has increased their confidence in leading their teams. Over the year, the program created an intensive learning experience that strengthened leadership capability, self-awareness, and confidence to build upon in the years ahead.
General Business:
Improved reporting practices and use of targeted KPIs ensured departmental metrics aligned with business goals. Throughout the engagement, Strategic Specialists Group increased Primepac’s management capacity and ability to navigate the next phase of growth as the business becomes increasingly complex.