Alexander Group

A FAMILY

AFFAIR

CEO

As New Zealand’s leading nationwide provider of specialist transportation and distribution solutions for hazardous and high-value goods, Alexander Group has operated as a trusted, family-run business since 1971. Hayley Alexander, CEO and secondgeneration business owner, tells us more

Writer: Lily Sawyer | Project Manager: Joshua Mann

Hayley Alexander,

Amidst a diverse and stimulating industry, and with over 50 years’ experience in safe and efficient transportation, specialising in both bulk and packaged gas distribution across New Zealand and internationally, Alexander Group emerges as a logistics operations enterprise with a difference.

The company’s distinguished record has earned it a reputation for reliability and safety, whilst its

commitment to excellence and innovation has positioned Alexander Group as a trusted leader in the industry, where the notion of ‘family’ runs deep.

“We’re passionate about what we do, and as a family-run company, it’s part of who we are,” opens Hayley Alexander, CEO of Alexander Group.

Founded by John and Cecile Alexander in 1971, Alexander Group is now run by the second generation of the family, of which all three siblings

are actively involved in the company’s management.

“I’m one of three siblings; my brother Rod and sister Gabrielle work alongside me. This awards Alexander Group with a unique, family feel, which I believe is one of our key points of difference,” she continues.

With a technical background in social work and policy, Hayley’s skillset is ideally matched to implement an ambitious business model whilst managing a large workforce.

Alexander Group’s newest Scania trucks to join the fleet

“When managing a customer interface or understanding what the business needs to execute its huge scope of work, my experience comes in useful. It’s about understanding people and the bigger picture, both structurally and socially.”

With a nationwide presence, 180 staff, a fleet of over 100 trucks, and operating across 21 locations, Alexander Group offers unparalleled expertise and innovative multimodal solutions for a vast range of transportation needs.

ENDLESS CAPABILITIES

Regarding its core competencies, the organisation supplies end-toend solutions for well-known gas companies across New Zealand, including the transportation of cryogenic gases, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and carbon dioxide, as well as medical and industrial gas cylinders, AdBlue, and more recently, refrigerated goods.

In addition to a suite of specialised contracts, Alexander Group’s core service offerings are bolstered by its accreditations, facilities, and systems, enabling the safe transport of hazardous substances in accordance with rigorous regulations.

“With over 25 years’ experience in transporting dangerous goods, and as a member of the LPG Association of New Zealand and NZ Hydrogen Council, we’re committed to ensuring the safe transportation of substances in the communities we serve. Our core focus is safety and security,” she outlines.

SUPPLY CHAIN OUTLOOK: HOW IMPORTANT IS DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION TO ALEXANDER GROUP, AND HOW DOES THE COMPANY PROMOTE THESE VALUES IN THE WORKPLACE?

HAYLEY ALEXANDER, CEO: “We’ve recently participated in Transporting NZ’s Driving Change Diversity Programme, which showcases diversity stories across the transport industry and teaches participants how to embrace and celebrate a unique workforce.

“As a progressive female leader of a family-owned business with a diverse workforce, I was selected as a ‘champion’ of the programme in 2022. As a company that is proactive in promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace, Alexander Group clearly stood out as a firm choice, particularly due to our opportunities for women.

“I believe that breaking down barriers to diversity not only helps the transport industry meet capacity demand, but also provides fresh perspectives that can be key to addressing current challenges.”

John and Cecile Alexander

The company’s deep market knowledge, coupled with its ability to manage discrete resources within the oil and gas sector, means that it is able to supply tailored services for its customers, especially when it comes to the transportation of high-value goods.

“We work in close partnership and collaboration with our customers. Our strength lies in our ability to simultaneously manage health, safety, and compliance, and safely deliver on time.”

Alexander Group’s operations remain unperturbed despite manifold factors that threaten to undermine them, such as unexpected weather conditions or natural disasters.

“Our ability to manage a specialised supply chain across the country and customise a service to continue to deliver on time, every time, even in the face of unexpected circumstances, sets us apart from the competition,” Hayley explains.

Transport partners and suppliers enable the company to maintain a nationwide presence and a reputation for excellence.

“Connecting with competent and reliable partners keeps us particularly strong,” states Hayley.

Facilitated by Scania, all of Alexander Group’s fleet is telematics and artificial intelligence (AI) camera enabled. This promotes impeccable driver behaviour and high productivity outcomes within the company.

“Our network of service providers is critical to keeping our fleet on the road, and they reach all corners of the country, making us one of the most efficient freight companies New Zealand has to offer,” she comments.

“In addition, we have strategic partnerships with other transport companies and freight forwarders, which gives our customers the most responsive and connected network of hubs and high-quality trucks and drivers throughout the country.”

A pre-qualifier to work both in partnership or on the team at Alexander Group is a commitment to safety and the highest service standards.

Marcus Tiomata and daughter, Naomi Toimata. Marcus is one of Alexander Group’s Driver Trainers, and Naomi is the company’s first cadet who is now a Class 5 truck driver

LPG bulk tanker

The three Alexander siblings (left to right): Hayley Alexander, CEO; Rod Alexander, Transport Adviser; Gabrielle Fitness, Marketing and Communications Manager

Scania NZ –Proud partners of Alexander Group

At Scania New Zealand (Scania) we pride ourselves on tailoring our vehicles and services to meet the unique needs of our customers. We are also focused on providing sustainable transport solutions for use in a wide range of applications by those same customers. These brand traits and client relationships are no better exemplified than by our partnership with Alexander Group.

The group is a family-owned business of more than 50 years, specialising in transporting dangerous and hazardous goods and high value commodities.

Alexander Group’s focus is on safety, quality, and professionalism. From the design and specification of their vehicles, to the staff they select to be on their team, safety is at the core of the company.

Alexander Group is also innovative in their vehicle design - aiming to engineer as many safety features as possible into their vehicles and challenging Scania to improve on each vehicle build.

Scania’s response to these demands is why Alexander Group has been exclusive with us for over a decade.

“The safety features offered on the Scania are crucial for Alexander Group given the hazardous product we transport. We want every driver to get home in good shape and to be as safe as they can be out on the road. The Scania product achieves that in every respect for us,” says Rod Alexander, Transport Advisor for Alexander Group.

Being able to provide Alexander Group with the world’s first truck with side curtain air bags, and with forward facing sonar and active emergency brakes, made a significant impact on Alexander Group’s decision to go and remain exclusively with Scania.

But the company also prove its partnership back at base with the management tools on offer for Alexander Group.

“Scania partners with our team by constantly refining and improving our practices and ensuring staff have access to real time data to manage the changing risks on-road in a time-demanding environment,” says Rod.

“The Scania fleet management portal we use - Scania Communicator - allows us to get a whole dossier of information from the vehicle in real time. It measures fuel and load as well as our drivers’ performance, and gives them real time feedback at the same time.

“It makes our job very easy as fleet owners to measure how we’re going and importantly to improve how we’re going. It’s hugely valuable and we’ve seen great gains from it.”

Scania’s service network is also critical to keeping Alexander Group’s fleet on the road. By Scania reaching all corners of the country, it helps the group to be one of the most efficient freight companies in New Zealand.

Scania’s Director of Sales, Deon Stephens, says ultimately Alexander Group’s modern, specialised fleet is selected from us because we align with Alexander Group’s vision of having best practice in transportation.

“We aim to be the industry’s preferred solution provider, delivering premium products and services in a sustainable way with a strong dealer network. That is our commitment to customers and the ongoing focus of our fantastic team.

“There is nothing better for our brand and team than to see the results of our focus and effort strongly validated by our most important critics – our customers.

“Our partnership with Alexander Group is at the very top of that relationship,” says Stephens.

scania.com/nz/en/home.html

“THE REASON WE HAVE ACHIEVED SUCH SUCCESS TODAY IS THAT WE’VE GOT INCREDIBLE PEOPLE ON OUR TEAM, WHILST OUR INVESTMENT IN DIGITAL PLATFORMS AND OUR ABILITY TO PARTNER WITH PEOPLE THAT CAN PROVIDE EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS PUTS US ON TOP”

– HAYLEY ALEXANDER, CEO, ALEXANDER GROUP

“Our hard work over decades has earned us industry recognition,” Hayley states.

Alexander Group was proud to be presented the award for Outstanding Contribution to Health and Safety at the Transporting New Zealand Industry Awards in 2022, whilst its

training and compliance programme was recognised with the company receiving the Company Driver Safety Award at the Australasian Fleet Champions Awards in 2023.

Rod Alexander, Transport Adviser, leads all fleet procurement and was acknowledged as Road Risk Manager

of the Year at the same awards for his unrelenting commitment to engineering in fleet safety, providing drivers with the most modern and safe vehicles on the roads in New Zealand.

STAFF AND SUSTAINABILITY

Recognising the importance of sustainability and integrating eco-friendly practices within its operations is an integral part of Alexander Group’s operations.

“Our commitment to environmental stewardship extends beyond compliance, as we actively seek ways to minimise our carbon footprint and promote responsible transportation practices,” Hayley informs us.

Cylinder bottles transported up and down the country

All of Alexander Group’s trucks are kitted out with EURO 6 emission diesel engines, the lowest emission engines available on the market.

“For each of our engines, we have a replacement policy with our partner, Scania,” Hayley divulges. This means as soon as its engines are not operating at maximum efficiency, the company is able to swiftly replace them.

Moreover, Alexander Group is actively engaged in seeking an alternative fuel solution to power the business.

“As a member of the Hydrogen Council of New Zealand, we’re an active part of a national shift towards a sustainable future. We hold the unique position of being the only transporter of bulk hydrogen throughout New Zealand, which we have been carrying out for over two decades for our platinum customer, BOC.

“Although hydrogen truck fuel technologies are yet to be fully commercially available in New Zealand, we’re certainly interested in implementing hydrogen fuel into our vehicles and are proud to be a small part of enabling the innovative solutions emerging in the New Zealand transport industry through delivering hydrogen,” affirms Hayley.

ALEXANDER GROUP – AT A GLANCE

SAFETY FIRST: The company prioritises the safety of its operations by adhering to the highest industry standards and implementing rigorous safety protocols. Its impeccable safety record underscores the company’s unwavering commitment to the well-being of its personnel and the communities it serves.

A MODERN, WELL-SUPPORTED FLEET AND SERVICE NETWORK: With a nationwide presence, Alexander Group boasts a network of service providers available for 24/7 fleet support, each of whom understands the unique demands of its customer requirements, which results in minimal downtime and maximises planned preventative maintenance.

CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY: Alexander Group leverages state-of-the-art technologies and advanced equipment to optimise the efficiency of its gas transportation services. Investment in the latest innovations enables the company to deliver reliable and environmentally responsible solutions.

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE: A dedicated team stays abreast of evolving regulations across transport and the transportation of dangerous goods. The company meticulously adheres to all compliance standards, mitigating risks and ensuring smooth operations in diverse regulatory environments.

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP: Recognising the importance of sustainability, Alexander Group integrates eco-friendly practices into every operation. A commitment to environmental stewardship extends beyond compliance, as the company actively seeks ways to minimise its carbon footprint and promote responsible transportation practices.

Drone footage of trucks parked up at Alexander Group’s Hautapu Hub

In addition to its sustainability practices, the company also invests heavily in its staff.

“Following the COVID-19 pandemic, New Zealand experienced a serious shortage of staff. Although extremely difficult at the time, it enabled us to view things differently,” Hayley shares.

As a result of the pandemic, Alexander Group began to train and develop younger cadets.

“We now have a far better process for training and upskilling our staff and developing their careers. We don’t view our employees solely as truck drivers; they’re highly professional, skilled colleagues,” she enthuses.

The company seeks to enable its staff to cultivate long-term, rewarding careers within the company, with optimum working conditions and opportunities to upskill.

“Ultimately, we want to avoid incidents, and to this end, we do a lot of training, fatigue management, and varied shift times to ensure drivers retain the right behaviours to avoid accidents and incidents.”

Promoting impeccable driver conduct and high productivity outcomes is considered an essential aspect of logistics management within Alexander Group.

“In short, we’re creating opportunities that enable our people a strong career pathway within the company,” Hayley states.

FUTURE FACILITY

Looking to the future, Alexander Group is focusing on developing its expertise across the board.

“We’re looking to grow and expand within the specialised oil and gas sector, as well as in other associated industries, such as high-value goods, bulk liquids, and refrigerated transportation,” Hayley outlines.

With a focus on domestic growth, the company also wishes to expand its strategic hubs nationwide.

“We’ve recently established a new hub which entirely changed

the network design for some of our customers and expanded our distribution network.”

The hub in question, based in Hautapu, Waikato, led to the company being able to maximise its network and attract an expanded customer base due to its strategic location with access to ports, rails, and roads.

In addition to its physical expansion, Alexander Group’s commitment to digitalisation is notable.

“Digitalisation has been a strategic focus for the company in recent years and has facilitated a growth mindset. Ultimately, it has enabled us to grow from a small to a medium-sized family business,” Hayley reveals.

The company’s digital activities range from scaling its systems and processes more efficiently to adopting new technologies, such as AI, to optimise its operations.

“Our digital customer platforms are critical to our service provision and managing a distributed workforce across the country,” she states.

Ultimately, in a world dedicated to decarbonisation, reducing emissions, and increasing efficiency,

Alexander Group seeks to enhance its capabilities through a range of strategies as it moves forward into 2024.

“The reason we have achieved such success today is that we’ve got incredible people on our team, whilst our investment in digital platforms and our ability to partner with people that can provide effective solutions puts us on top,” she concludes.

Tel:

+64 9 951 2335

www.alexandergroup.co.nz

Alexander Group’s 50th year celebration truck, transporting AdBlue around the North Island