Inbox: An accomplished performer

Hamish McBeath, general manager of Pacific Coilcoaters, was announced as NZIM Northern region’s Young Executive of the Year at recent function in Auckland. Held in conjunction with NZIM’s mid-year graduation ceremony, the evening also featured Nikki Kaye, MP for Auckland Central, as guest speaker (see below).
The Northern judging panel said this year’s competition was particularly fierce, describing McBeath as “a standout executive from group of excellent candidates”.
McBeath began his career in the New Zealand Navy as trainee officer, and says his military training taught him that you must set the example and earn the respect of the people you lead. After leaving the Navy he joined Fletcher Building’s Pacific Steel Group as shift manager at Pacific Wire, where he put his beliefs about building high-performing teams into practice. He progressed to operations manager and then sales manager for the Wire Division, designing and implementing the Pacific Wire business restructure, resulting in its ongoing viability.
He then led the sales and marketing turnaround of the wider Pacific Steel Group as group sales and marketing manager. By 2009, this business had risen to become the highest-earning business unit in Fletcher Building. As general manager, McBeath now has full responsibility for Pacific Coilcoaters, with revenue of $110 million.
“It’s my business to run and I like that environment – I like to be free to make my own decisions and take responsibility for my actions.”
Paul Zuckerman, CE of Fletcher’s Steel Division, says product development has been key area of success for McBeath and he has often identified new market segments that can be opened through adopting new technology. The judges agreed, saying he is proven leader and an accomplished performer who has applied technology in interesting ways.
“He has the ability to understand and clearly view his business environment, communicates effectively at all levels and is focused and excellent young leader,” said the panel.
For McBeath, the key to running successful business is keeping things simple and not getting too bogged down in detail. Also key has been his passion for high performance teams. He believes success is only achieved through the alignment and performance of others and says his most satisfying achievement has been meeting and exceeding budgeted commitments in challenging environment with highly-engaged employees. M