Rockcote shows its green colours
Addressing the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Bob Cameron of Rockcote remembers the course he took with them years ago.
"I was taught that a company is made up of plant, equipment and capital. Staff is outside the company and just employed to run things," he said.
He disagreed back then and still does.
"A company is a community of people. Plant, equipment and capital are employed by the people to achieve their vision," said Mr Cameron. There is no doubt that he is correct.
In 21 years, Rockcote has grown out of a Sunshine Coast backyard shed to a yearly turnover of more than $20 million and 79 employees. Rockcote produces renders and paints that are free of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and any other toxic
chemicals.
Their operations are based on the concept of Biomimicry, that is, basing business organisation and industrial processes on lessons we see in nature. In nature there is no waste. Everything gets re-used and recycled. Using these concepts Rockcote is achieving some astounding solutions.
What makes this business truly outstanding is that no compromises are accepted. Rather than being green while forsaking profits, the credo is: "The bottom line of green is black." With its constant growth, Rockcote has always felt the pressure of cash-flow. The solution: focusing on profit from investments with the least capital employed.
This flows on to the production facilities, which are highly adaptable. Not through the use of sophisticated computer system, but through simplicity. Bob explains: "We do not produce to planned targets. Instead our production beats in tune with sales."
The biggest impact on the company's success comes from one thing: the community that Bob has gathered around him to turn his vision into reality. Chris Cameron is the heart of that community. She joined the company in 1989 as office manager. While growing into the role of marketing and sales manager (and part-owner of Rockcote), she has developed a great balance of professionalism and personal caring. The highly effective management team is sometimes referred to as a council of elders.
As many businesses are starting to catch onto environmental issues, Rockcote is one step ahead by aiming for a net benefit to the environment in a similar fashion to a tree or forest and therefore producing a surplus of water, energy and resources. Without saying it, it is clear that the vision includes a surplus in profits.
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