Kit Wilson

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 293, 4 July 1989, Page 12

Kit Wilson

by

julie

nation

Winstone Pulp International Manager Kit Wilson is a man who loves his job.

He has held the position of manager for three years. It is a position that demands dedication and hard work, little leisure time and a lot oi tirne spent away from home, but he isn't complaining. "The industry has been good to me," he says. Mr Wilson joined the team at the mill, then owned by Winstone Samsung, as Research and Development Manager. He spent 18 months in the position, at the same time preparing to take over the running of the operation. He did so in 1986

and since that time has enjoyed a "rewarding and stimulating" association with Winstone Pulp International. During this time the plant has changed ownership and changed its name from Winstone Samsung, to Winstone Pulp Industries, to Winstone Pulp International. It was sold to the Hong Kong investment company 'Perfect Match' in September 1988 and

according to Mr Wilson, the company is very happy with its New Zealand investment. Chemistry degree Mr Wilson studied at university for a degree in chemical engineering and science in Christchurch, and upon graduating worked for New Zealand Forest Products in Tokoroa. He stayed with the Kinleith plant for 17 years, working at process engineering, "trouble shooting", pulping and bleaching

and a number of other operations. Mr Wilson spent 18 months working in Caxton Paper's Auckland tissue converiing plant before movlng to a managerial position, one he said offered new challenges and rewards. Mr Wilson said he has enjoyed seeing the mill evolve into a viable stand-alone proposition, in contrast to its poor working image a few years ago. "It was always on the border-line of being shut down. People had a very negative attitude about it."

Mill manager loves job

Frompagel2 He has the distinction of being part of the team that contributed to its turnaround. Mr Wilson said among other things, the mill's trading stability has improved. Forty percent of the pulp produced is shipped to Indonesia; another 20% to Japan and 25% to China. The balance is supplied to markets in Taiwan,

Australia and Korea. The production capacity of the mill is around 120,000 tonnes per year, with the prime objective being to generate pulp of sufficient quantity while still maintaining a high quality at a price suited for the market. Mr Wilson said the quality of pulp produced is markedly improved. This year another $6 million will be invested into process and

quality improvement work. The expense is a necessary outlay if the plant is to hold its own, according to Mr Wilson. "We're competing with companies all over the world," he said. "We have to keep improving if we want to keep ahead of the. competition." Emphasis is also placed on staff training, with a recent 90% pass rate of employees undertaking internal exams. Mill employees have the opportunity to obtain their trade certificate in pulp manufacture and other on-the-job qualifications. Mr Wilson's commitment to his job means being away fror.i home 2-3 times a month for several days at a time. It also means travelling overseas visiting other mills and for customer development trials. His Welsh-born wife Carol, a qualified colour consultant, said it was initially hard on her and their two children, Katrina 14 and Stephen 10. "I'm used to it now," she says. With both children now away at boarding school, the couple travel together on occasions. Both children attended Ohakune Primary School.