Pallets powering careers for
people at Timpack
All products are delivered on pallets and building those pallets is an vital part of New Zealand’s supply chain. Hamilton-based business Timpack produces pallet products for businesses throughout New Zealand.
Timpack has a steady stream of entry-level work opportunities for people who like a physical job with a great team, and the idea of working with state-of-the-art pallet building machinery.
People starting at Timpack don’t require experience, just a reasonable level of fitness, good, keen attitude and they also need to pass a drug test (like most jobs where machinery is involved!).
There are targets to meet, so people who like physical work with a bit of a challenge are suited to these roles.
Former St. John’s College student Joshua Haskell is a Timpack production team member, so we visited him at work to see what he gets up to…
Joshua Haskell
Production Worker
Top Career Tip
“Strive for your goals, don’t let anyone stop you!“
A Chat with Joshua about his role
Joshua Haskell
Former Hillcrest High School student
How did you get this job, and what got you interested in working here?
I walked into an agency asked for a job and so here I am! I’ve been looking at trades and this place gives me a broad set of basic skills. Basically I operate machines or I’m working with a nail gun making pallets. I use nail press and machine line.
What do you love about your job?
I enjoy physical stuff, so this is a job where you get to stay on your feet and get fit. I’ve met a lot of great people here, and it’s opened the door to a lot of opportunities that I’m very grateful for!
What sort of person do you need to be for this kind of work?
You don’t need any experience when you first start, but it probably helps if you’re an easy going person that can get the work done but still be a people person. So, someone who is serious about their work but is still able to socialise with mates. Also a you need to be a good listener and learner, someone with good initiative who knows how to ask questions and learn from others.
What have you learnt on the job?
How to operate machinery, how to communicate effectively with people and also how to work more efficeintly to hit targets. Personally, I’ve learned about how to balance a social life and a work life. This can be challenging, especially if you go straight from school into full time work. At school you can goof around a lot and get away with it, but when you get to work there’s no place for that and you don’t want to let your team down.
What challenges have you faced and how did you overcome them?
Definitely language barriers. I’ve had trouble understanding people with accents, and also speaking to them. Working here has definitely helped me with that, and has helped me to socialise a bit better. Becoming better at time management has also been something I’ve learned.
Where would you like to go with your career?
I would like to be a manager. Just to be a manager or supervisor for anything, I’m not too fussed.
Block (4-way entry) Pallet
Customised Cable Drums
Customised Crates
Display & Retail Bins
Export Bin
Field Bins
Partial 4-way Pallet
Shipping Crates
Skid Pallet
Bearer/Stringer (2-way entry) Pallet
Tips & Advice
What advice would you give to someone deciding on their career?
Think about it, like really think about it. Be careful with what you choose to do in life and strive for your goals, don’t let anyone stop you!
What does someone need to know when starting out at work?
They will be put under a lot of stress from dealing with new things and you will have to find a way deal with it. Work is really important so you have to work out a way to deal with it. Don’t be scared to talk to someone about how to do that.
What advice do you have for keeping balance/managing stress?
Everyone is different with their way of dealing with it. For me, I play games in my spare time to deal with my stress, but that’s not going to work for other people. Find your own way to deal with that sort of stress, even doing a hobby. Find something you really enjoy doing! At the end of the day, work can have hard days so sometimes you just need to get on with it!
