Company & Role Overview:

Flashclad Auckland operated as a franchise of Flashclad New Zealand, specializing in premium aluminium weatherboard cladding solutions. When Chrisco took over, market penetration was weak, sales were stagnant, and operational inefficiencies limited profitability.

Industry & Market Conditions at the Time:

• The NZ construction market was growing, but competition in the cladding and weatherproofing industry was fierce.

• Alternative cladding systems had established market share, making it difficult for new entrants to scale.

• Tightening regulatory standards required cladding solutions to meet stricter weatherproofing and fire compliance requirements.

Your Entry into the Role (Challenges, Expectations, and Initial Goals):

Upon taking over, Chrisco inherited a struggling franchise with less than 10% market share in its region. Key challenges included:

• Lack of brand presence and weak customer engagement.

• Low market adoption, with builders and architects favoring competing products.

• Inefficient supply chain and high procurement costs reducing profit margins.

• Limited product diversification, making the franchise vulnerable to market shifts.

Chrisco’s initial goals were:

• Increase market share through strategic sales and marketing.

• Improve operational efficiency by implementing lean manufacturing practices.

• Expand product offerings to meet evolving industry demands.

• Strengthen supplier and customer relationships to drive business sustainability.

• Engage with architects and specifiers to get Flashclad’s product, services, and solutions included in concept designs, resource consents, and building consents.

• Become a novated/preferred specialist trade, ensuring Flashclad’s cladding systems and flashings were specified early in projects, directly benefiting CIS Group, the licensed installer of Flashclad and AFS, CIS’s manufacturing arm.

Day-to-Day Operations:

• Managed budget implementation, employee training, scheduling, and contract negotiations.

• Oversaw sales, marketing, and business development initiatives to increase market share.

• Strengthened supplier relationships, optimizing procurement strategies for cost efficiency.

• Directed operational process improvements for leaner manufacturing and logistics.

• Collaborated with architects, engineers, and specifiers to ensure Flashclad solutions were included in early-stage project documentation.

Key Strategic Initiatives Led:

• Market Penetration & Brand Positioning:

  • Implemented strategic marketing campaigns that significantly boosted brand recognition.

  • Targeted high-value builders, architects, and developers to increase product specification rates.

• Product Diversification:

  • Launched new product lines to adapt to shifting industry demands and compliance regulations.

  • Expanded Flashclad’s cladding offerings to remain competitive in the evolving NZ market.

• Operational & Financial Restructuring:

  • Applied cost-saving initiatives that significantly improved profitability.

  • Implemented lean manufacturing principles, reducing production waste.

• Customer Retention & Service Excellence:

  • Established client engagement programs that boosted customer retention.

  • Focused on after-sales service, ensuring continued market dominance.

Influence on the Organization’s Future:

• Transformed Flashclad Auckland from a struggling franchise into a dominant market player.

• Implemented long-term strategies that positioned Flashclad as a leader in the NZ cladding industry.

• Established Flashclad’s reputation among architects and specifiers, ensuring ongoing product specification in projects.

Professional Legacy & Industry Impact:

• Created a market-winning blueprint for Flashclad’s future franchise operators.

• Led industry-leading product innovation in aluminium cladding.

• Supported CIS Group’s growth by securing its position as the preferred licensed installer.