Nov 2018 – Sept 2022
Flashclad Auckland
Position Held: General Manager / Franchise Owner
Flashclad Auckland
Position Held: General Manager / Franchise Owner
Chrisco Oelofse – Operational Rebuilder & Systems Leader | This is my executive portfolio | Relocation Brisbane 1 Aug 2025
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.
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.
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.
Business Development & Sales Growth – Achieved 60% of national product sales at peak from an initial <10%.
Lean Manufacturing Implementation – Reduced material wastage and improved cost efficiency.
Supply Chain Optimization – Strengthened vendor relationships and reduced procurement costs.
Architect & Specifier Engagement – Established strong relationships with industry professionals to drive early-stage product specification.
Compliance-Driven Growth – Ensured Flashclad met all weathertightness and fire compliance standards.
Risk Mitigation in Expansion – Navigated franchise expansion with a measured risk approach.
Financial Oversight – Managed P&L responsibilities, budget implementation, and financial restructuring.
Cladding System Adaptation – Customized Flashclad solutions to align with evolving regulatory codes.
Customer-Centric Sales Model – Enhanced client retention through superior engagement strategies.
Market Positioning Strategy – Established Flashclad as a preferred solution for high-performance cladding.
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.
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.
Captured 60% of total NZ product sales – a sixfold increase from the starting point.
Successfully positioned Flashclad as a market leader in aluminium cladding solutions.
Strengthened strategic supplier relationships, reducing costs and increasing profit margins.
Led franchise expansion, ensuring sustainable long-term business growth.
Launched new product variations that increased market adaptability.
Achieved substantial improvements in operational efficiency through lean manufacturing.
Implemented structured sales and marketing strategies, dramatically improving brand presence.
Ensured Flashclad was specified in major developments, supporting CIS Group in securing large-scale installation contracts.
Revenue Growth: Drove Flashclad’s sales from an underperforming regional franchise to the highest-performing region in NZ.
Cost Optimization: Reduced procurement costs while improving operational profitability.
P&L Management: Oversaw financial performance, ensuring sustained revenue growth and franchise profitability.
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.
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.