Sharp Plywood (www.sharpplywood.com.au) is a dynamic Australian owned company, which manufactures and distributes good quality timber veneer and melamine panelling and other building products. We have a passion for great manufacturing, environmental sustainability and sound business ethics. It is with this philosophy in mind that the people who own and manage Sharp Plywood have started from the ground level of the industry and worked their way up. My attitude is to continue looking to adopt new innovations for business and product development to ensure we give our customers the very best at all times.

From the Head Office operations I moved to Business Development Manager for our Gold Coast branch and increased sales by 100%. I developed strong business relationships with our customers and took a keen interest in their business outcomes. Our market segments include trade (cabinetmakers, kitchen manufacturers, commercial joinery/shopfitters, domestic and commercial furniture manufacturers), specification (architects, interior designers) and residential project builders and consumers.Becoming Branch Manager of the Gold Coast my responsibilities included but not limited to Sales/Margin, Negotiations, Customer Service, Sales Training, Return to Work Rehab Supervisor, Warehouse/Distribution functions and full P&L responsibility. Streamlined all internal process, developed and implemented the sales and business initiatives, profit and budgetary operating expenses and OH&S guidelines.Project managed the GST changes and software upgrades, new banking initiatives from cheques to direct debits, e-Payday payroll Software integration, upgraded to new VoIP communication equipment and overall information technology upgrades.

From the floor I moved into Quality Manager and quickly learnt how to select the high quality timber veneer from a plethora of veneers situated in bundles. When choosing a veneer you concentrate on colour, grain, and consistency to ensure the designer’s vision comes to fruition.During this time the old Brisbane Law Courts required over 100 doors to be inlaid with timber veneer. Each door was designed from a unique set of templates drawn by me off the architect’s original design. Each template was then placed over the timber veneer and hand cut and fitted to create a unique and beautiful designed door. This example shows we take time and great care to ensure quality is achieved. Every individual at Sharp’s understands this philosophy of creating beautiful panels. From Quality Manager to Distribution Manager to Purchasing Manager where at each stage I was responsible for managing teams of people, delivering training programs, health and safety procedures, operational efficiencies and sustainable business improvements.

I started from the floor. I learned the press operations then moved into saw operations, sander operations and finally the guillotine operations – all the processes involved in making great panels. Obtained certificates in wood machinist, specialist timber veneers and wood technology. Basically any training course specialising in wood I’ve completed it!