Having moved on from a fulfilling 25-year career in the aluminum industry, I embraced entrepreneurship and now own and operate Accumen Shapes. Initially specialising in lightweight decorative mouldings, our focus has shifted to developing cutting-edge insulation products tailored for industrial, commercial, and residential applications. This strategic pivot leverages my deep manufacturing expertise and passion for sustainable building solutions.Over the past 10 years, under my leadership, Accumen Shapes has experienced substantial growth and transformation. We have secured exclusive distribution agreements for a number of specialty insulation products, which have significantly expanded our market presence and fortified our brand as a leader in the insulation sector. These partnerships have not only diversified our product offerings but also enhanced our ability to meet unique customer needs across various markets.In my tenure at the aluminum sector, I began in technical roles focusing on die correction and design, eventually managing the entire extrusion division, including remelt, maintenance, warehousing, surface finishing, planning, logistics, shapes sales, and fabrication. My last decade in the industry was spent in ascending management roles, culminating in a pivotal stint as Interim General Manager of Fletcher Aluminium in 2013. There, I spearheaded numerous transformative projects, notably establishing Fletcher Aluminium's Christchurch and Auckland fabrication facilities.As a consultative leader, I thrive on fostering team development and leveraging my strong communication skills, intellectual clout, and commercial acumen to drive operational excellence. My hands-on experience in managing high-value production assets and my proactive approach in project management have been instrumental in successfully launching innovative products and securing significant market share increases for the brands I have represented.One of the most rewarding projects under my leadership was setting up Fletcher Aluminium’s Christchurch powder coating and fabrication manufacturing facility in 2011. This project encompassed procurement of all machinery, facility fit-out, budget management, staffing, and taking operational charge post-commissioning in 2012.Through these experiences, I have honed my ability to navigate complex operational challenges and deliver substantial business growth, which continues to fuel my current journey with Accumen Shapes.