Monthly staff news from the different Knauf sites in Australia.
August 2019
Nationwide: Knauf proudly supported Jersey Day on 30 August. By wearing their favourite sporting team jersey our staff pledged their support for organ donation. Around 1,400 Australians are currently wait listed for a transplant. To become an organ donor, register at www.donatelife.gov.au.
Michael Thomas, Garry McCarron, Kieran Stephenson, George Mamic, Jane Burgess, Doug Haarhoff and Don Teys.
Virgin Pulse Global Challenge: The Challenge kicks off in September and 34 Knauf teams have registered for the Challenge. Both Matraville and Altona raised awareness for the event by enjoying special and healthy breakfasts during the past month. Read more about the Challenge here.
Altona staff enjoying a hearty breakfast!
Townsville: The Cowboys played their last game at 1300 Smiles Stadium on 29 August and a couple of Knauf employees and our valued customers were in the crowd to cheer them on. Knauf products have been specified for the construction of the North Queensland Stadium in Townsville, due to open in February 2020 with a special Elton John concert.
Knauf’s Belinda Pickels (right) at the 1300 Smiles Stadium.
The North Queensland Stadium is taking shape!
Long service awards:
- This month two Beenleigh employees celebrated special milestones in their Knauf career. Accounts Administrator Caroline Hussen received a certificate to celebrate 5 years’ of service and Machine Operator / Packer Sid Azri received his certificate for 15 years.
- Michael Bahn, Senior Operator at our Altona plant celebrated 25 years of service. Plant Manager Adrian Klietz presented him with his certificate .
- At our Matraville plant, Regional Sales Manager Nigel McKenna and Plant Controller Avin Verma celebrated 5 years’ service certificates.
Caroline Hussen and George Mamic
Sid Azri and Steve Bean
Michael Ban and Adrian Klietz
Nigel McKenna and Avin Verma
AWCI Awards nights: Knauf employees joined in the glamour and prestige of the AWCI Awards evenings held in the various states over the past month where contractors and manufacturers came together to celebrate the best in the industry.
At the AWCI QLD Awards Night: Michael Thomas, Alysia Thomas, Rebecca Guild, Aaron Guild and Leigh Ryan.
AWCI VIC: Members of the Vic/Tas Knauf Sales team and the speaker for the evening, Sam Kekovich.
Michael Thomas with Daniel Crompton from QCL.
Matraville: Despite the windy conditions on the day, a couple of Matraville employees and their families participated in the City2Surf in Sydney on 11 August, covering a 14 kilometer course. Over 80,000 participants helped to raise more than $4 million for multiple charities.
Bundaberg:
Jose Motato, Silvia Lima and Justin Weier participated in the Cane2Coral Fun Run on Sunday. Knauf is a sponsor of this annual event.
Jose Motato, Silvia Lima and Justin Weier
Matt Dennis from AWCI Queensland visited the Bundaberg plant this month. Plant Manager Justin Weier gave Matt a guided tour of the facilities and introduced him to staff.
Matt Dennis and Justin Weier
Knauf Kitchen: Employees at the various plants again enjoyed Knauf Kitchen this month. At Beenleigh the humbling Ping Pong Challenge added some fun and entertainment, while the ice cream truck paid a surprise visit to Altona. Staff at Matraville enjoyed paella (always a favourite!) on 7 August. The monthly Knauf Kitchen is a good opportunity for staff to get together socially on a workday to enjoy a meal together.
Altona
Beenleigh
Matraville
July 2019
Nationwide: The lucky draw to win one of 25 Knauf gift packs has been very popular. The Knauf Marketing Team received entries from all over Australia, and 25 winners were randomly drawn. The gift packs, including a single-pouch genuine suede tool bag with two pockets and three sleeves, two Knauf pencils and one knauf.solutions beanie, have been sent to all the winners. Congrats to the lucky 25!
Heathwood: The team at the Knauf Heathwood distribution centre in Queensland is celebrating 7 months at the new premises after relocating from Oxley at the end of last year. From here Operations Supervisor Sharon Brailey, Warehouse Supervisor Kurt Hanson and Forklift Operator Pietro Spinosa service our local PlastaMasta Centres and contractors. The team takes safety very seriously and is celebrating 15 LTI free years this year. To commemorate this achievement, they are all training to compete in the 10 km Bridge to Brisbane Fun Run on 25 August 2019. Go team!!
Sharon Brailey
Pietro Spinosa and Kurt Hanson
Beenleigh: National Sales Manager (Retail and International) Joe Mori (left) was the first recipient of the quarterly Knauf Sales Excellence Award! Sales Director George Mamic presented the award to Joe in recognition of his hard work and commitment and his willingness to go above and beyond what is expected of him. Congratulations Joe!
Joe Mori and George Mamic
Beenleigh: In July Jeff and Melissa Hoyling and the rest of the Lifestyle Interior Linings team visited the Beenleigh plant. The group did a tour of the factory and learned more about our products and systems.
Bundaberg: Knauf’s Technical Field Officer Gary McCarron recently visited the Bundaberg plant to run training sessions with the entire team. The sessions sparked some good discussion and provided insight into plasterboard application and the experience of the end user. Knauf Bundaberg started producing plasterboard at the brand new, state of the art factory two years ago.
Matraville: This month Wayne Dunstan and Anthony Turnbull from the Matraville plant celebrated 25 years of service excellence. They both joined the company in 1994 when it was still a joint venture between Lafarge and Pioneer. Their commitment and contribution were acknowledged with a special lunch and Plant Manager Greg Bartlett handed out long service certificates. Congratulations on this special milestone Wayne and Anthony!
Wayne Dunstan and Greg Bartlett
Anthony Turnbull and Greg Bartlett
Altona and Beenleigh: Both plants enjoyed Knauf Kitchen this month. In Altona the roasted buffet was a big hit and in Beenleigh staff had the opportunity to choose between a chicken breast burger and a beef rissole burger. Knauf Kitchen is a popular event on the Knauf calendar. It gives everyone a break from their daily task to enjoy a meal together and to get to know their colleagues a little better. The organisers always try to provide a tasty variety with a nod to the company’s international character.
Altona
Beenleigh
June 2019
Nationwide: And the winner is … Annette Bisinella! Before recently launching our new website, knauf.solutions, we asked employees to test and review the site. Annette, who is the Customer Service Manager at our Altona plant, provided the best feedback, and was awarded a prize! Pictured with her is Damian Hoyle from the Knauf Marketing Team. Congratulations Annette, and thank you for the detailed review!
Damian Hoyle and Annette Bisinella
Queensland: A new website calls for a celebration! Staff at the Beenleigh plant were at the right place at the right time when our new website, knauf.solutions, launched this month. The Marketing team celebrated the occasion with yummy cakes!
Anna Green, Stephanie Olsen and Damian Hoyle
Queensland: What does Commercial Account Manager Kieran Stephenson do in his free time? You’ll most likely find him running, cycling or swimming. Kieran recently completed the Ironman Asia-Pacific Championship in Cairns in 11 hours 24 minutes. Well done Kieran!
Kieran Stephenson
Beenleigh, Queensland: Every month the Beenleigh team recognises a hardworking and dedicated workmate by nominating a Superstar of the Month. In June the medal went to Customer Service Supervisor Tanya Everding. It’s impossible to imagine the Beenleigh plant without Tanya’s great attitude and friendly smile and her can-do attitude is much appreciated by colleagues and customers alike!
Tanya Everding
Townsville, Queensland: In June the Townsville team bid John Eyles (at the back, right) goodbye with a special farewell lunch. John played a huge role in Knauf’s growth in the area in the 7 months he’s been part of the team, but sadly had to leave due to prior commitments.
May 2019
Queensland: The Queensland Sales Team enjoyed a team building event at Escape Hunt in West End, Brisbane. The venue houses several uniquely themed rooms and participating teams are locked into them with only one way to get out: work together and solve a couple of clues within an hour! The winning sales team managed to get out within 38 minutes.
QLD Sales Team teambuilding.
Beenleigh, Queensland: Every month the Beenleigh logistics team recognises a hardworking and dedicated workmate by nominating a Superstar of the Month. In May this honour went to forklift operator Gerard Rosser for his can-do attitude and willingness to always lend a hand.
Gerard Rosser
Beenleigh, Queensland: A Commercial Excellence Workshop was held at Beenleigh to discuss current practices, understand our maturity, and plan for the future. It was facilitated by Andrea Maessen from consulting firm Simon-Kucher.
Commercial excellence workshop
Matraville, NSW: Staff at the Matraville plant participated in Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea on 23 May. The staff eagerly supported this Cancer Council initiative to help raise funds for those impacted by cancer, and enjoyed healthy treats with their morning tea. Everyone donated generously to the good cause.
Matraville participated in the Cancer Council’s Biggest Morning Tea
Do you have staff news to share with the rest of the Knauf family? Let us know by sending email to: marketing@knauf.com.au
