"Delivering the Promise" Award 2007

I write to belatedly announce the winner of the Delivering the Promise Award for 2007.  As has occurred in prior years I have received many worthy nominations and choosing one winner from the top two candidates was difficult. Very difficult.  Although the two ‘finalists’ if you like have had different paths within Camec and ‘Deliver the Promise’ via different channels I consider that to select one of them would be an injustice to the other.

I therefore take the unusual step of announcing two winners of the Delivering the Promise Award being

Kirsty Dragon, Administration Assistant, Camec Queensland

and

Ivan Taylor, Production Supervisor (dayshift), Camec Victoria.

Kirsty started with Camec Qld as a part time receptionist in 2004 and also lent a hand with the afternoon workload peak caused by outward freight and postage.  After the departure of a full time receptionist in mid 2006 Kirsty became a permanent employee and was responsible for all recept duties with the addition of invoicing/despatch.

By late 2006 it could be seen that Kirsty was on a roll and had by her own initiative taken on other duties in order to help others out which included sales account enquiries plus anything else where she felt she could be of assistance to her fellow workers. Kirsty played a very active role in the implementation of Navision not only in learning as much about the operational concepts but also delivering training in specific areas where she had become proficient.

By early 2007 Kirsty took on the role of debt control/collection looking primarily after non major accounts. Over the past 8 months that role has been extended to cover all accounts and working with Lee she has shown that she is firm but fair in the collection of funds.  Kirsty is also the accounts manager for key marine customers Riviera and Maritimo. This was a position she offered to take up following the very positive feedback received from these customers in relation to her involvement in deliveries and credit control.

Over the years Kirsty has developed a very strong and loyal work ethic and I think it would be fair to say that this is an attribute which she worked on rather than one that came naturally. This, her advancement within Camec and her ongoing high service standards with Maritimo and Riviera makes her performance all the more commendable and particularly worthy of this award.

Ivan has been with Camec since May 1996 and according to the nominations for him shares with Kirsty a drive and commitment to satisfy customers – which often takes the shape of doing whatever is required to get those customer orders through.  He is also quick to offer assistance to his colleagues and equally adept at searching for and finding creative solutions to the hurdles that often crop up as part of life in the factory. 

I think it appropriate to include some of the quotes provide by those who’ve nominated Ivan:

“… he is known for his commitment to Camec. Ivan has this ability to make things happen, at difficult times & nothing can stop him from getting his work done. He doesn't mind doing the work himself as well, even when he is the Supervisor.”

“Ivan has always been an excellent Supervisor, always doing his best to complete orders for customers, long hours or weekend work never bother Ivan as long as short lead-time orders are completed on time. Ivan is also a very helpful person in assisting colleagues to ensure efficiency is maintained in the factory.”

“He is totally committed to Camec and the industry. He is always looking for 100% output by his staff and finding better ways to make/process product.”

“If he makes a promise to satisfy a customer come what may, he will deliver, at the same time not comprising on quality.”

“He encourages the staff, recognises people who achieve more and promotes a team spirit in the factory.

On top of that he is a “good bloke” and has the respect of his staff and peers.”

Importantly and in addition to the positive contributions and attributes described above both Ivan’s and Kirsty’s colleagues describe them as team players.  To me there are few greater compliments. 

Congratulations to both Kirsty and Ivan, whilst they have different roles and styles it is clear that they have excelled at speaking up and offering assistance or suggestions for improvements and positively contributing to our efforts in satisfying our clients needs and in so doing “Deliver the Promise”.

Sincerest congratulations. 

Camec 10 Year Club

Camec celebrated the 33^rd anniversary of its inception on 23^rd September 2005 through the inauguration of the Camec 10 Year Club.  This club was established to recognise the contributions made to the company by the personnel who had dedicated 10 years or more of their recent working life to Camec and its affiliates.

Three separate luncheons were held at The Deck, Southbank, Melbourne on 23^rd September, Cafe San Marco, Southbank, Brisbane on 7^th October and Summer Salt, Cronulla, Sydney on 16^th November.  At these functions, Camec CEO, James O’Brien, presented each 10 year club member with a personally engraved 10 year club watch and a certificate acknowledging their achievement.  Many enjoyable memories were re-lived during these afternoon celebrations and the members are looking forward to this annual event.  Camec management has also arranged for a 10 year club honour board to be hung in the reception area of the Dandenong South office with the names of all members.

40 members of Camec’s team, representing more than 10% of their total workforce have achieved the 10 year service milestone.  At the top of the honour board list are John Roberts (Camec Vic) and Garry Bushell (Camec Qld) each with 35 years service and Graham Cannings (Camec NSW) with 34 years service.