Meet the Team

Matt joined the Farra Stainless team 18 months ago after being self-employed in a smaller scale engineering business. A back injury and subsequent back operation made him re-evaluate his physical job. When he heard of an opportunity at Farra Stainless in the office Matt was keen to check it out and was very happy to land a role as a Project Manager, utilising his varied and experienced engineering knowledge and expertise.

Matt enjoys the people of Farra and the change from small scale engineering to the large scale workshop and projects that Stainless offer. Projects that include stainless tanks for Fonterra and breweries all over NZ. Matt is happy to have the best seat in the office next to the TV and heat pump.

Matt's tip:

• Think about what a product could be, not what it is. Innovation is the key.

One great job that Matt recalls being especially enjoyable and challenging was rebuilding an aerial atom chassis for a customer and the great communication with the customer. This included smart thinking and detailed planning to achieve the final product. It was a fun enjoyable project.

Outside of work Matt enjoys all sports (not so much the player anymore though), hanging out with Sarah and wee Blake.

A veteran in the Farra Family, Grant has been with us for 37 years and is one of the longest standing team members. What started as an apprenticeship in the Sheetmetal division straight out of school has naturally progressed to Grant becoming the Stainless division manager and now a Project Manager for major projects.

Being organised, methodical and having awesome people skills makes Grant the perfect Project Manager. During a typical day, you could find Grant job planning, invoicing, quoting or putting to use his HR skills. His favourite element of the job is that something different is always happening and having new challenges presenting themselves which keeps him on his toes!

As a Project Manager, Grant sees a lot of projects come through the workshop, but to date, his favourite projects include the Brew Tanks for Emerson's brewery, Speights redevelopment and the small brew pubs that he has helped out with over the past 37 years.  

Outside of work, you can find Grant watching sport and his son playing football. He also, following on from his favourite projects, enjoys trying new beers!

Russell came to Farra 21 years ago, originally after living a Sales Rep life at Skellerup. His first role at Farra was as Storeman, and this transitioned into a Supervisor and subsequently Manager role in Farra's Lift department.  Russell took a 5 year sabbatical to pursue an opportunity in Alexandra, a place he loves.  After five years in Alexandra, Russell and his family returned to Dunedin and he was grateful to secure a job back at Farra in the Stainless department where he now works as Workshop Supervisor.

Russell enjoys his role and the challenges it brings. His tasks include organising workshop workflow and dealing with staff and customers, many of which Russell has established long and trusting relationships.

His most memorable period at Farra was working in Lifts at the peak of their business when he would oversee the manufacture of 200 lift cars a year for Schindlers NZ and the Australian market.

Russell’s top tip:

• “Enjoy life as who knows what is around the corner”

Out of work Russell enjoys motorbike riding, DYI around his property, and visiting his family crib in Alexandra with his family.

Justin has been with Farra for 17 years, starting out working in the workshop completing his Stainless Fabricator Apprenticeship prior to taking an opportunity to transition to a Project Manager role when the role presented itself. He attributes being able to transition into the Project Manager role to his hard work and dedication to the job and company.

Justin enjoys the variety of work that comes his way, and the new people and contacts he has meet as a result of his time at Farra.

Justin’s tips:

• Don’t take others for granted or make assumptions. Ask questions and get all the info.
• Positive reinforcement goes along way!

Outside of work Justin plays and coaches rugby, and enjoys long walks along the beach.

Paula has been with Farra for 12 years, coming from 22 years at Mainland doing various admin and marketing roles before the office was shifted to Christchurch.

She has worked in different parts of Farra including; Stainless, Sheetmetal, Lifts, and Design giving her a varied workload which she enjoys and working with a lot of different people in Farra, which is always fun and enjoyable.

Outside of work Paula is an avid reader, treasurer of the GI Football Club. The key part of her life is family and friends and retreating to their sunny holiday home in Wanaka when they can.