ENERGY
These family values and flexible strength are built on a 30-year history of being 100 percent family owned . “ Graham Symons began the transport company in the early 1980 ’ s ,” says Robinson . “ Prior to getting involved in trucking , Graham had developed farming interests in Coastal Taranaki . Initially , the trucking interests were an additional side line to farming , but over time grew to a more standalone business . Increasingly the transport company has grown with other divisions of the business emerging , such as Symons Energy Services and Waste Remediation Services .”
Robinson points out that the entrance into the energy sector was largely based on bolstering the significantly seasonal element of the transport company . This created revenue diversification and reduced risk exposure . “ In more recent years , Graham has established a small board and senior management team to provide a more structured , rigorous approach to managing the growth of the companies . Graham now chairs the Board , maintains key relationships , and has an active interest in new areas of development for the companies ,” says Robinson .
Today , Graham ’ s children , Jane and Murray are currently on the management team . Jane recently took the lead role in HSE / HR while Murray has been in charge of the transport division for the last two years . Being family owned and Taranaki based is a big part of the brand and culture of the companies . “ Despite significant growth , we ’ ve worked hard to maintain the family feel of the company and the ethos this brings , looking after our own people but also treating our customers with a real personal touch ,” says Robinson .
“ Part of growing with the support of our community is also investing back into it . We like to partner a whole host of community causes in the province , such as junior rugby , junior surf-life saving , schools near to the areas we are based and around the sites we work , various children ’ s charities , a range of junior sports-people competing in national and international events , community infrastructure projects such as the development of the regional cycle velodrome and regional BMX track , the local Helicopter Rescue Trust ,
www . symonsgroup . co . nz 79