Paewai Mullins Shearing is a fourth generation shearing contracting business based in the small rural town of Dannevirke. The company services more than 150 wool grower clients, handling in excess of two million sheep per annum. They employ close to 40 staff with this number expanding up to 120 from December to the end of March.
Leadership is your choice not your title 
The goal over the last 50+ years has been to grow the business for future generations, driven by the family’s strong Maori values for working and living. The Directors, Koro and Mavis Mullins, have faced several challenges in growing the business. Sheep numbers and wool prices have decreased over the last five years. Many young employees have come into the business with few skills which requires considerable investment. A tight international labour market has lured some of their skilled employees overseas in search of higher wages. They have also faced mounting heath and safety concerns as the average age of shearers has increased over the years. Over recent years the focus has been on succession planning for the smooth transition of management of the business from the third to the fourth generation of the family. The challenges faced include ensuring continued growth of the business, transfer of knowledge, building leadership skills, upholding their reputation as an industry leader and preservation of key systems and networks.
To read more about becoming a more productive workplace visit http://www.workplaceproductivity.govt.nz
