MERCER STAINLESS LTD
In 1994 Alister became Managing Director of Mercer Stainless, a subsidiary of Broadway Industries. Mercers is a very old NZ company with a long history within the dairy industry, initially making farm milk vats but then adding quite complex cheese making equipment. The company also started two new Divisions, one focussed on domestic stainless steel sinks and benchtop, and the other making commercial kitchens, primarily for McDonalds Restaurants. They exported kitchens for McDonalds as far away as Sweden. During Alister's tenure McDonalds entered the Indian market, so they took the initiative and started a JV operation in India to support that.
The foray into India was fraught with difficulty, and Alister learnt a lot more about cross cultural relationships, and the need for sound governance in such circumstances. It was further exacerbated by McDonalds' difficulty in satisfying Indian palates and dietary requirements.
Also during his tenure the company forged closer links to some leading European machine manufacturers such as Alfa Laval and Tebel, and became OEM manufacturers for them.
The biggest challenge in this role was very much around culture change, with a “cloth cap” mentality alive and well, and a strong “them and us” ethos. Using the material of Human Synergistics they broke this down overtime, getting people to act more autonomously and take personal responsibility for what they did, whilst teaching everyone sound decision making processes and driving decision making as far down the organisation as was possible. This was very successful, with significant lifts in productivity and profitability, and a huge lift in morale throughout.
Alister left this role with a sense of unfinished business, but he was tapped on the shoulder and made the proverbial offer he couldn’t refuse, and moved on after four years. Alister was invited to join the Board of Broadway industries, which he did, and served there for another eight years.