TRT has appointed Lawrence Baker to the role of new chief operations officer and part of the TRT executive team. Lawrence will be working alongside Robert Carden, engineering director, and Bruce Carden, manufacturing director.

Lawrence‘s appointment follows the announcement of the resignation of managing director, Kevin Chubb, after 20 years at TRT.

“This is a critical new role for TRT and we knew we had to find the right person to help Bruce and me lead the business,” says Robert Carden. “We were looking for someone who shared our vision for the future of TRT while acknowledging the rich business history and a legacy that Kevin helped to create. Lawrence is that person.”

Bruce says Lawrence brings a whole new skill set and experience to TRT and they are looking forward to drawing on his past experience from the automotive and steel industries to enhance their capabilities and enable them to find new and innovative ways to solve problems for customers.

Prior to returning home to New Zealand, Lawrence spent 19 years working overseas. During this time he had senior roles in the automotive and steel industries, with companies including Yazaki Australia, Iveco, and Smorgen Steel, which later became BlueScope Steel. He was most recently flat steel products operations manager at BlueScope Steel, based in Wollongong, NSW.

Based at TRT‘s head office in Hamilton since October 2017, Lawrence has had time to get to know the business.

“What stands out the most are its people, its culture, its customers and its suppliers. I have to say from my first day everyone I have met has made me feel very welcome.

“I love what I do and I’m always looking to improve the process. Many find this unpredictability daunting, scary and downright frustrating, but it‘s this that I enjoy the most. This is a new role for TRT that gives me the ability to try new things, both internally and externally, and to work closely with our suppliers and customers. I am very much looking forward to the journey – for the long haul.”