Business Consultancy specialising in business exit strategy, mergers & acquisitions and business sales.

Business sales, valuation and brokerage

Everything you need to turn potential into performance is at your fingertips. A complete system for psychometric profile, 360 leadership development, culture and employee engagement, team performance, communication styles supported by a complete coaching and training resource package.

For 21 years Advantage Business has been advising a diverse range of businesses on how to find their competitive advantage. Our clients look upon us as an extension of their own business because we become part of the team. We make 100% sure we do whatever is needed to fully understand how the business operates.

Sharp Designs Limited trading as Sharp Signs, is based in Auckland. The company designs, prints and manufactures corporate signage for installation in multinational and national corporate companies such as ASB, Foodstuffs, Mitsubishi, GAS Alley and Restaurant Brands throughout NZ. The company was in business for 27 years before being purchased by Steve Alesech in February 2017. Over a three year period the company was rebranded, the customer based diversified, operations streamlined and systems and processes upgraded to focus on quality, economy and safety. The business was then sold in March 2020 to Brand Partners. The business and staff were merged with the Brand Partners operation based in Wairau Rd, Auckland where both brands now run alongside each other and offer a complete signage design, manufacture, install business along with shop-fitting and brand design.We have an in-house team comprising graphic design, technical sales and survey, product design, project management, graphics application and fabrication. Once an order is confirmed our Project Managers look after all jobs from confirmation through to in-house fabrication/application, site install and commission. We work in tandem with our customers to collaborate on projects in order to ensure we bring their brand story and standards to life while looking at how we can innovate and value engineer to provide quality, value, safe installation and on time delivery. Examples of our work can be seen on our website at www. sharpsigns.co.nz

• Lead and developed Z Energy’s, near and long term renewable energy strategy, • Lead an engineering feasibility study, and developed a business plan for a bespoke biodiesel plant to be owned and operated by Z Energy.• Negotiated the acquisition of IP and assets for a biodiesel design and undertook due diligence activities.• Established the Z biodiesel strategy, developed the business case and directed a project for design, construction and integration of $26M biodiesel plant.• Lead and delivered a business plan to the Z Board for the construction and integration of NZ’s first commercial scale biofuel plant at a project cost of $26M, including a design and build contract for purpose built manufacturing building valued at $6M along with biodiesel blending and storage facilities at Wiri and Mt Maunganui Oil terminals.• Contracted specialist capability to design, construct, commission and handover the plant to an operational team.• Recruitment of Operations and Plant Manager. • Built and maintained relationships with strategic and key stakeholders internal and external of the organisation.• Responsible for construction health, safety, environment and security performance.

Responsible for the overall performance of the Z Retail Service Station Network, Retailers and Business Development Managers comprising the the lower North Island and South Island region. • Transitioned a dysfunctional BDM team achieving significant capability breakthrough and results with network and retailer rationalisation, Shell re-brand program and refreshed shop offer.• Led a highly successful crisis management program and transition to BAU for all staff, retail assets and retailers through the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.

• Lead and developed the Z / Shell Emissions Trading capability.• Negotiated the divestment of the Shell Marina Network.

Director of Investment company involved in startup and operation of retail businesses.- The Leisure Company. Startup aimed at high end outdoor furniture, spa and swimming pool market. - GAS n More. Startup of LPG bottle distribution and retailing business. Sold to Elgas.- Acquisition of Commercial Building. Sold to Elgas.

Negotiated sale and successful divestment of the Shell Marina Network in preparation for Shell divestment of New Zealand downstream business to Infratil and NZ Super.

• General Manager for sales and operations of the Shell Commercial Sales business in New Zealand including subsidiary operations for Mini Tankers.• Director of Shell subsidiary Mini Tankers & Oils Ltd.• In conjunction with MT GM, negotiated buyout of NZ Master Franchise Licence from Mini Tanker Australia to set the business up as independent and stand-alone entity free of royalties.

• Responsible for Commercial Marketing and Pricing operations for the commercial fuels and lubricants in New Zealand. • Setup central pricing desk and segregation of authorities to drive transparent cost structure, improved margins and improved profitability across fuels and lubricants.

Accountable for commercial sales of fuels and lubricants, operational costs and asset management for the North Island. Responsible for recruiting, leading and developing a new team of Commercial Account Managers.

Key Projects:• Managed joint venture and successful start-up business alongside Shell NZ Ltd • Established a distribution and sales / marketing business for Shell Bulk Fuels & Lubricants for the upper North Island comprising an area from Taupo to Kaitaia. Major Achievements:• Achieved 10-year plan within 5 years, grew proceeds by 281% from 1995 to 2000. • Successfully divested my shareholding and merged business into Shell, recruited by Shell as Commercial Sales Manager.• Led acquisition and merger of LPG Distribution Company and Waikato based fuel distribution firm.• Managed the successful merger of the Waikato and Northland based businesses.

Sole Ownership and operation of three Service Stations and standalone vehicle workshop. Redeveloped the Kamo site, turned an underperforming Mobil City Centre site around to achieve profitability and flag-ship status. Divested Workshop. Sold to startup new Fuel distribution business.

Business Development of independently owned central Auckland Retail Network of Service Stations for Mobil Oil. Recruitment of retailers, Site profitability, marketing and maintenance of brand standards.