In our regular series, we are profiling key members of The Icehouse team, so our wider network of...
Programmes: Owner Manager Programme (2009) Leadership Development Programme (2011, 2013, 2014)
Name: Andrew Giltrap
Business: Giltrap AgriZone Ltd
Year founded: 1959
Industry: Agriculture - Trade
Website: http://www.gaz.co.nz
Location: Waikato
Increase in Revenue (percentage): Over 190%
Giltrap Agrizone Ltd is a major supplier of tractors and farm machinery in the Waikato and central North Island. Locally owned and operated, Giltrap prides themselves on a world-class service for farmers and agricultural contractors.
Andrew Giltrap, Managing Director of Giltrap Agrizone Ltd, is a great example of a business owner who has had a long lasting and value filled journey with The Icehouse. Andrew completed The Icehouse Owner Manager Programme in 2009 and since then, he has sent 6 senior managers on the Leadership Development Programme and used The Icehouse in varying ways to continue development at all levels of management in the business.
During his Owner Manager Programme, Andrew acquired another business and doubled the size of Giltrap Agrizone. This posed some challenges but through the programme, Andrew solidified his vision and strategy to take the business forward. “I learnt a lot about myself and gained the confidence and absolute determination in myself to make it work.” So when he got back into the office with a new business strategy and changed perspective and vision, Andrew believes that his colleagues and senior management “thought he was on wacky adrenaline drugs.” But Andrew knew he just needed to ensure they understood how to drive the business in the same direction and be on the same page. So he decided to use The Icehouse Leadership Development Programme as a medium to do this.
He believed that the programme would allow his managers to learn and develop personally while also gaining the understanding of the role each of them play in driving the business forward.
Coming back from the programme, each senior leader had varying opinions as it was a different experience for each of them. All developed personally and found confidence in the new sense of direction that Andrew had for the business. For Andrew, it was the increase in accountability and understanding of why they do things rather than just doing them that stood out as the biggest improvement.
Giltrap Agrizone is not the same business it was in 2008 and Andrew finds it interesting to watch everyone have their light bulb moment after completing their Icehouse Programme.
“Before working with The Icehouse everyone relied on me as the key motivator but now everyone is accountable to uphold the business and culture, move the business forward while still running smoothly.” Andrew believes that he can be the biggest impediment in the business due to reverting back to his old habits of doing everything himself. But now his senior managers are more than capable and remind Andrew to step back and work on the business whilst they work in the business.
Since working with The Icehouse and having constant engagement, Giltrap Agrizone Ltd has experienced immense growth. The business has gone through another acquisition, experienced over 190% increase in revenue and is enjoying an average of 24% year on year growth compared to 9.3% before working with The Icehouse.
Looking forward, Andrew is not aiming for the same growth but rather he and his team will consolidate and continue to stabilise the business so that they can manage this enormous growth effectively.
“For me, working with The Icehouse has been life changing! The journey has been really hard but I have learnt a lot about myself and have gained the skill set to deal with any challenges in the business.”
