Mainfreight Annual Report 2022

8 9
PERFORMANCE Chairman’s Report
We have a company-wide
passion to achieve, and achieve
and keep on achieving.
BRUCE PLESTED, CHAIRMAN
The writer is in day 5 with Covid-19 and the world begins
its third year of coping with the virus. Some of the
countries in which we work are in significant lockdown
while others appear to be fully operational, with little
regard for earlier precautions.
Putin’s war against Ukraine is in our minds constantly,
even in New Zealand and Australia – where we are far
removed from any physical danger – but very aware of
tragic consequences to the world if peace is not found.
Your company has had another extraordinary
(satisfactory) year, growing global sales by 47% to
$5.22 billion, and profit before tax by 86% to $489 Million.
From the onset of Covid our company globally was
classified as an essential business and able to keep
operating, while many manufacturers, retailers and
restaurant/hospitality businesses were forced to close or
limit their hours. We are a fortunate business compared
to many.
We are now in our 45th year of operation and every year
we learn more because of adversity and natural disasters
from computer hackers to ships becoming stuck in the
Suez Canal, floods, fires, famine, volcanoes, road accidents
– all with many operations working 24 hours a day, 7 days
a week. We know that most of the freight we are moving
is required on time and we have a company-wide passion
to achieve, and achieve and keep on achieving. That is
perhaps the most important way in which we retain our
existing customers and grow our business.
A KOROWAI IS WORN AS A MANTLE OF
PRESTIGE AND HONOUR.
The Korowai is symbolic of leadership,
and includes the obligation to care for the
people and the environment.
On the recent occasion of your 80th
Birthday, we were honoured to present you
with this Korowai Huruhuru, as a gift that
reflects your mana, and resonates closely
with your values.
For all of us at Mainfreight, this is an
opportunity to acknowledge your vision,
passion, and leadership which engendered
Mainfreight, and which continue to sustain
our culture and fuel our growth.
He rangatira, he pononga,
He pononga, he rangatira.
A leader is both a chief and
a servant of the people.